I have had Tourette Syndrome all my life, almost since the day I was born. During my Teenage Years, I was often dumped on, made fun of, and abused by just about everyone in my life. I was often told I was useless, and couldn't do anything or amount to anything. As it turns out, people with Tourette Syndrome can accomplish anything they put their minds to, and a lot of people with T.S. have been known to live very productive lives. 

After awhile, I began to ignore everyone else's put-downs, and put my mind to accomplishing great things. My advisers in high school said I could never attend college. I not only attended college, I graduated from California State University at Hayward in 1979. Since then, I have become a co-author of three children's activity books entitled Old Testament Bible Puzzles, New Testament Bible Puzzles, and Life of Jesus Bible Puzzles. I also have had ten years of professional Voice Lessons off and on. I performed with The Orange County (California) Master Chorale from 1984-87. When The Orange County Performing Arts Center opened in Costa Mesa, Calif; in 1986, I performed in the very first opera ever performed there (Amahl and the Night Visitors). While living in Southern California, I sang the National Anthem at many Minor League Baseball Games and NBA Development League Games.

My autobiography entitled "There's Weirdo!" was published in VOICE Magazine in September of 1987. I have been a member of Toastmaster International now for almost nine years, and the organization has further helped me to rise above Tourette Syndrome by helping me to be a better communicator and listener. I have won first and second place trophies in over 20 major speech contests throuighout the years.  Today, I live in Colorado Springs, CO; and,  I am currently trying to get SSDI from the government. I have sung the National Anthem for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox a couple of times since moving to Colorado Springs. I worked as a School Crossing Guard a year before moving to Colorado (Santa Ana, CA.) and a year after moving to Colorado. Most of my life has consisted of "Rising Above Tourette Syndrome" and not letting it hold me back from being all that I can be; however, I am now 57 years old, which seems to be a major stumbling block when trying to obtain Full Time Employment with Benefits. The Economy is very poor at the present time, and there are not enough job openings to employ every one 30 years or younger who are out of work. This is mainly why I am applying for SSDI. But, there is a light at the end of this tunnel too.

**This story was also publihed a few years back on Tourette Syndrome.com. The information on this page is updated periodically.