Sometimes I feel like a parrot, I seem to pick up phrases left, right and centre. The most recent incident of this was in watchet where I picked up a barking tic (which you can watch by clicking on #miniblog!) But I want to talk about my 'dangerous' tic.
I've taken to shouting 'who are ya?!' and 'come on then, big man' in a childish voice. Thankfully I'm quite well known in my area so I doubt anyone will take offence, but could you imagine if I lived in a city, or somewhere less 'Watchety'. I could get myself into serious trouble!
My neurologist told me about a man who used to shout the team name of the local rival football club because of tourettes... He got beat up a lot... apparently. It's things like that that scare me. Tourettes can be very inappropriate, a few days ago I told a friendly waiter to 'take it off' when talking about his shirt. I've called countless speakers 'boring' and told an entire hospital waiting room 'I'm gonna chunder'. I just worry I'll say the wrong thing to the wrong person!
To be fair nearly everyone I have encountered have been pretty chilled about the tourettes and I have certain shops and cafés I know I can 'be loud' in. I think people eventually get used to it. Watchet is a small but caring community and the high street is small enough that you can hear me tic from both ends! All in all the people are friendly and I am lucky to live in such a chilled out area!
I've often a been told that my tics have brightened someone else's day especially by my wider friendship circle and even by strangers! I am comfortable in Watchet, I know where I am at all times, the people are friendly, the town centre (yes Watchet is a 'town') is colourful and the shops are artsy. I fit in quite well, I think! Perhaps then the answer is to stay in Watchet!