In life we all have negative experiences. Recently a negative experience prompted me to write a post in a local Facebook group, something I don't normally do. The post is as follows:
I don't usually post this kind of thing but I think this is important. Dear people of Watchet. Yesterday was carnival day and many of you turned out to support a wonderful event. You may remember me if you were watching the carnival towards the end of the route. I have Tourette's syndrome and was the girl making siren noises as I walked down the street. As I walked down the street I was watched by families, tutted at by a few and many children repeated my tics loudly, laughing at the strange noises I make. Not one parent stopped thier child from doing this. I didn't watch the carnival. I missed it because I was in an ally way crying as my boyfriend and a stranger tried to console me. You made me feel like a freak. People of Watchet, I don't blame you, I just think that you were unaware of the effect of your actions. Tourette's is a difficult condition to explain. Many of you will know it as 'the swearing disease'. Tourette's however is much more complex. I don't swear with my Tourette's, prehaphs if I was shouting 'f*ck', instead of making noises, you'd have looked away, given me more space and told your kids 'don't repeat that!' Watchet is a lovely place and normally I have no issues walking around town, loud and proud! I'm not looking for an apology or sympathy. All I ask is next time, let's be a community of supportive, loving people, the people I know you all (usually) are!! Xxx
The response has been mind blowingly positive, people from all over shared words of encouragement and love.
When I wrote that post I felt crap. Like I would spend my life like Quasimodo, hiding from society. But the kindness of others has truly inspired me.
When I first moved to Watchet a chavvy lad (the kind that gets in lots of trouble and wears a white tracksuit) told me 'Watchet is the arsehole of West Somerset' I can say, with utmost confidence, that he was very very wrong!!
Watchet is a diverse and caring place and honestly I'm lucky to live in this area.
So, to the people of Watchet, THANK YOU