Tourette Syndrome & Tic Disorders Support Group
This community is dedicated to those afflicted with a tic disorder. A tic disorder is one in which uncontrollable muscle spasms that can range from small annoyances to major disruptive occurrences. .
HI guys! I'm 21 and brand new to this page and hoping it can help me! I have had moderate tics my entire life (eye rolling, back and shoulder cracking, finger twiching, severe neck jerking, eyebrow raising, etc.- all motor, nothing vocal). Growing up with tourettes has been really hard for me because it always seems to get in the way of a normal social life, etc. All the tics in my back have over time given me chronic back pain, and has made it really difficult for me to find a job, because most jobs require standing for hours and if not, then front desk where youre basically the "face" of a company. I am a full time third year student in college and paying my own rent, food, car insurance and everything.My question is, does anyone know of any jobs that have worked for them in the past that are not impossible to do with tourettes? All my best friends are servers and making so much money, and I am barely scraping by due to inablitly to physically work. Please let me know of any basic entry level jobs that have worked for you guys with tourettes!
Thanks
You could also look into jobs that wouldn't be affected by your personal tics, such as if you don't have that many verbal tics that are completely out of your control you could try a call center.
There are also some populations that wouldn't care about the tics even if they were some what inhibiting. I've had a lot of success working with special needs children and at risk teens in schools, hospitals, and camps. Some of the kids find it weird, other seem to connect with it since they view themselves as not fitting in for one reason or another. I think I have had to work extra hard to prove myself to the company but it worked out.
Being around people who can do things or hold jobs that you can't can be difficult and lonely. Since in so many ways I'm successful in my life most of my close friends don't even think about it. In some ways I like that they don't place judgement on me and other times I want to talk about it and they seem surprised that it is an issue. Then I feel alone and ashamed as if I'm the one creating the problem.
I realize you posted this 2 months ago so maybe you already found a job that you excel at. If not I hope you keep trying and have an open mind about a variety of possibilities.