Living with Tourette Syndrome
Megan Hastings, a 20-year-old opera student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome three years ago. She began experiencing "jerky tics" at the age of 10, but it wasn’t until she was 16, during the Covid-19 pandemic, that she had a "massive flare-up" where she would hit herself and swear at her parents. At the time, she had never heard of Tourette syndrome.
The Struggle to Understand
Ms. Hastings felt misunderstood and was mocked throughout her life. She had to research the condition herself after being diagnosed, as she didn’t receive much support. "It was a struggle to grasp all of this in a year when it’s the biggest year of my life, going to university," she said. She spent most of her time hiding her condition, feeling embarrassed and confused.
Finding Solace in Singing
However, when Ms. Hastings sings, she feels "free" and doesn’t experience any tics. "You wouldn’t think that I had it, I feel so free," she said. The "little victories" of being able to sing songs and participate in rehearsals without pain or discomfort feel amazing to her. According to the charity organization Tourette Action, people with Tourette syndrome often experience painful muscle movements.
The Pain of Tourette Syndrome
Ms. Hastings describes her tics as "very painful," saying that her muscles are always working. One of her tics involves hitting her thigh, which can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to live with. She hopes that a new film about John Davidson, a British man with Tourette syndrome, will help raise awareness and understanding of the condition.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media has not been kind to people with Tourette syndrome. Ms. Hastings says that there was a trend on TikTok and Instagram where tics and Tourette’s were "fashionable" and often mocked. This behavior is not limited to social media, and people have copied and made fun of her on the street. She has spent her life trying to accept herself, and it’s made it difficult for her to trust others.
A New Film Brings Hope
The film "I Swear" tells the story of John Davidson’s life and his experiences growing up with Tourette syndrome. Ms. Hastings hopes that the film will make people more understanding and patient with those who have the condition. She says that if she had seen her condition represented in a film or on TV when she was a child, she might not have been so afraid or ashamed of her tics.
A Call for More Patience and Understanding
Ms. Hastings believes that the film will help with the diagnostic process and raise awareness about Tourette syndrome. She hopes that people will take the time to understand and be more patient with those who have the condition. "We are still people," she said. The film "I Swear" is set to be released in UK cinemas on October 10th, and Ms. Hastings is hopeful that it will make a positive impact on the way people perceive Tourette syndrome.
