I can easily fall into a negative mindset, so I like to have things to look forward to and be surrounded with positivity where possible. I still allow myself to have bad days now and then but always make a conscious effort to pick myself back up. That being said, medical anniversaries are particularly difficult to overcome, and in all honestly are days I’d like to completely fast forward. But in reality, that isn’t possible, hence why I have turned my Tourette’s anniversary into something positive.

After all, my tics can be a little bit humorous, so it’s easy to reflect on all the funny tics I’ve had, and all the good things Patricia had bought me. Yes, it’s annoying and painful. I hate having Tourette’s, and it’s not all toxic positivity. But I’m so much more confident and have laughter in every day. Therefore, it’s not a ‘sad anniversary’, it’s almost a celebration of a new me, Trish’s birthday. I might have a cry and that’s okay, but we can still celebrate Trish and all the amazing opportunities she has brought me.

If you’d asked me 3 years ago if I was grateful, I had Tourette’s, I would have responded with something negative. But I’m proud to say I’m now at a point, where I can see the change in my confidence levels so dramatically that I don’t know who I’d be without my tics. Trish is now such a huge part of me that on non-ticcy days, it feels strange when she’s not around.

The point of my Tourette’s birthday vs an anniversary is for me to celebrate all the love and light Trish has brought me and so many other people. It might sound silly to some but being disabled is really hard sometimes and it would be so easy for me to sit here and reel off a long list of everything I hate about having Tourette’s, but I’d rather have a list of all the positives.

For those of you at the start of your Tourette’s journey here are a few things I’ve learnt to love about having it:

• I didn’t quite realise how resilient I was until I had Tourette’s.
• I always have a ‘friend’ in the room to keep me company and make me laugh.
• If someone’s upset or having a hard time, I’m the best person to cheer them up and I love that.
• I can laugh at myself, which is such an important quality and ensures life isn’t too serious.
• Even on poorly days, there is always something to laugh about.
• In situations where everything goes wrong, Trish will pipe up and say what we are all thinking.
• Nothing is ever ‘too much information’ because chances are Trish will say it sooner or later. This means all my relationships with friends and family are so open and I love that.
• It’s okay to tic in public and no one is looking. I hated people looking at me, but I had to get used to it overnight. I still don’t like it, but I’ve learnt that it’s okay.