I’ve come a long way since I first joined the NJCTS community in 2013. Back then, I was still figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be, and NJCTS was a huge part of how I found my voice, identity, and confidence. It was one of the first communities in which I truly felt comfortable, and it has shaped me into the person I am today.
In middle school, shortly after getting diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, I decided I wanted to be able to advocate for myself, and for others, and became trained as a Youth Advocate with NJCTS. I began visiting other schools to educate teachers and students about TS, which was a deeply meaningful experience. There was nothing more inspiring than going into a classroom where another student was struggling with TS, and seeing that student have the confidence after my talk to stand up in front of their peers and share their own diagnosis.
I also had the incredible opportunity to participate in the inaugural NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy, and to meet Tim Howard in person in 2015. The Academy was my first experience being around peers who all had TS just like me, and experiencing the comfort and joy of being around a bunch of other people who just get it, without having to explain myself. I made so many friends, met so many inspiring mentors, and finally felt at home in a community of people who all shared the same diagnosis, but who brought unique experiences and perspectives to the table. I attended the Academy throughout high school, during which time I continued giving educational talks in schools. I also spoke with groups of doctors, law enforcement professionals, and local representatives and congresspeople, and I was honored to receive one of NJCTS’s Scholarship Awards in 2018.
After high school, I attended Muhlenberg College, where I graduated as co-valedictorian with a double major in Media & Communication and Philosophy. I used many of the advocacy lessons I learned from NJCTS to voice my needs in order to succeed in college and pursue my passions. I was also able to serve as an Academy coach in 2021, which felt like a full circle moment after having been a participant myself, and a way to give back to this incredible program that helped me so much.
Following graduation, I began interning with a company that helps indie/self-published authors to promote their books and find resources in the publishing community. After a 6-month internship, I received a full-time offer, and now I manage the team on which I originally started as an intern. During this time, I also moved to a new town, began living in my own apartment, and found a wonderful community of new friends. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, reading and writing, and participating in local book clubs and trivia events. I’ve also had recent opportunities to travel abroad for company retreats, and have started working on feeling confident traveling on my own. I was able to do something that scared me by relying on the strategies I’ve learned in order to ask for help and support when I needed it, and to find the strength to conquer my fears.
I truly credit NJCTS with giving me the tools to advocate for myself, to get out of my comfort zone, and to be unapologetically myself. I use so many of the communication and advocacy skills I learned through NJCTS everyday. If ‘imposter syndrome’ starts kicking in, I often remind myself of the experiences I had as a Youth Advocate. There was nothing scarier than public speaking in front of a hundred middle-schoolers convincing them that Tourette Syndrome is not contagious, or explaining to a group of politicians or police officers why it’s so important to provide thoughtful, proper care for those with neurological disorders. In comparison, it no longer seems that intimidating to introduce myself to new people, present at company meetings, or pursue new experiences!
Tourette Syndrome will always be a part of me, but I consider it just one of the many different and unique aspects that make me who I am, and something that has changed me for the better. Having TS has given me opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have — to learn about myself, to connect with others, and to develop new skills and strengths — and I feel so lucky to be part of the NJCTS community.
To celebrate 20 years of NJCTS we will be showcasing 20 stories of adults with TS who were once involved in the organization and now all grown up! Stay tuned as we share all of these incredible and successful stories!