Since developing Tourette syndrome, I have not really played hide and seek thanks to Paula basically shouting out anytime I try to hide. She's a terrible sport. However, since the start of COVID-19 and having to be quarantined, she might have changed her mind. We all know that Paula is a show-off and loves people. So with just my roommate at home with me (who is still working and not available most of the day), she is either trying to play with me or has gotten really depressed.

What I'm trying to say is that I haven't heard much of Paula as of late. For a while, I was worried she was disappearing and I was growing out of my TS. That can occasionally happen with children, but not typically at my stage of life. She will pop out every once in a while and I cry out, "There she is!" I'm just glad she is still around. I don't know what I would do without my Paula around!

Who Scared Who?

New people are always fun. During my last 2 weeks at my job, my company had a new hire named Jake. Poor Jake was walking down the aisle between desks in my department. I hadn't seen him yet, he was coming up behind me. He was quiet, and as he got closer, Paula screamed! I guess she got scared that he might be sneaking up on her or something. Of course, the poor guy jumped; a scream out of nowhere is not always pleasant. Especially since he was behind me still. I hadn't even seen him. As he paused, I told him he really shouldn't scare Paula like that. She is quite jumpy, you know...

Out to Lunch

This is actually a story that I have forgotten that my grandma told me today. I want to make sure this gets recorded for two reasons. 1. I like to record the stories so I don't forget them, which obviously happens. 2. This story addresses something very important in dealing with Tourette Syndrome.

There was one day that I was out to lunch with my brother, grandparents and two of my grandpa's siblings, Delone and Shirley. Grandma kept saying how funny Shirley's reaction was the first time she experienced my Tourette's. Grandma was trying to explain to her what was going on, but Aunt Shirley was just so flustered. Aunt Shirley doesn't like attention. Which just by being around me, she then had to deal with.

Here's the thing, I used to be the exact same way. I was the shy kid that spend all of my time reading books. In middle school/early high school, if you asked me a direct question, I likely would have just nodded or shook my head in response. I didn't have many friends because I didn't know how to talk to people. I know all too well what Aunt Shirley was feeling. Lucky for her, we don't spend too much time together that this ever became an issue.

Me, on the other hand, had to learn to face this every day. Sometimes I forget what life was like before Paula arrived in my life. It has been 16 years since I started my cute lil' squeaks that have helped me to grow so much. I don't know that shy little girl anymore. Now people are my favorite, and I love making new friends. I am able to talk to others easily and even enjoy public speaking. From hating attention to seeking opportunities to meet and help new people, Paula has changed my life.