More Than a Disability


Tourette Does the Talking: Thomas White at TEDxUND

Thomas White is a student at the University of Notre Dame, who has been diagnosed with Tourette's  syndrome. Thomas describes this as "a neurological disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics that last for more than one year". Throughout the TED Talk, Thomas describes his normal day, explaining the outburst and unwarranted disturbances he is faced with. Regardless of his disability he is able to complete a 12 minute speech with very few disruptions, ultimately relaying the message that we are all people with flaws, but if we can accept that, we can also have hope.

I chose this video because I always find TED Talks to be very inspirational. Knowing the difficulties Tourette's can provide while trying to communicate, I was very interested to see what Thomas would have to say and how he would go about saying it. I strongly recommend watching the speech, because he was amazing. To have such poise when under that much pressure put me in awe. Giving a speech in front of an audience is nerve-wracking enough. Imagine having to be recorded, timed, and have a disability that makes you flinch and shout profanities while you do it. Thomas' speech reminded me of why we have person-first language. He mentions at the end of his speech that Tourette has been doing the talking for him but now he is doing the talking. Thomas White is not his disorder, Thomas is who he is in of spite of it.

 If you want to feel inspired/ impressed the link to his speech is posted below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szLOMIt9SQ



White, T. (2014, February 27). Retrieved March 28, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szLOMIt9SQ

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