by Brad Cohen
Know how to ask for help.
Be specific. What is it exactly that you need? Be clear and concise with your request, and be sure to ask pleasantly. A smile goes a long way. And remember to thank whoever helped you.
If a teacher doesn’t understand, find one who does.
A teacher could have the title Teacher of the Year and yet not be the teacher of the year for you. Whether you are younger or older when you need to learn something new, find a teacher who is willing to work with you—someone who is caring and flexible and can understand the key components of your specific disability.
Stay active.
There is a wonderful world out there. Find something you like to do and go do it. No matter what your interests, there is a club or organization or activity just for you, but you have to be the one to find it.
Use the one-chance rule.
Everyone deserves a chance. Educate the people around you; then see who is still standing beside you. I’m willing to give everyone one chance. If someone comes up and tells me to shut up or leave a restaurant, I explain that I have Tourette’s and what that is. The next move is theirs. They can accept it or not. If they believe me and understand, I am satisfied, but if they continue to harass me and question the noises I make, I get a little upset. I realize that not everyone understands Tourette’s or other disabilities, so I do give people the benefit of the doubt. In my experience, many people want to do the right thing; they simply made a mistake the first time.
Celebrate success like there is no tomorrow!
Have you ever watched a room full of second-graders when they are excited about something? Their entire bodies are joyful; their expressions show pure bliss. Somewhere, as we grow up, we lose that. It’s not often that we accomplish a goal or have a really great day, so when it happens, celebrate with all you have. Go all out. Be silly, have fun, invite all your friends. You’ll have a great time and it will motivate you to find other ways to succeed, just so you can celebrate again.
When you get knocked down, get up quickly.
Don’t let life get you down. Instead, think of all the little positives in your life; focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t. When life kicks your feet out from under you, it’s okay to get mad and grieve and be sad. Those are natural feelings—but only for a little while. Then you have to pick yourself up and find another way around the proverbial brick wall.
Pick and choose your battles.
You can’t win them all. No one can, so you have to learn which battles you are going to pick in order to win the war. Not every battle is worth your time or effort. Some battles are no-win situations. You have to learn the difference. Then when you do fight, go with everything you have. Learn, prepare, and then let them have it.
Remember the Banana Theory.
It’s helpful to have a simple, clear way to explain your philosophy. This is what I tell my students: There are many types of bananas—green or yellow, long or short, curved or straight. A yellow banana can have a hard, greenish skin or a brown, spotty skin. You can’t judge a banana by what you see on the outside; peel the skin away and you will see that bananas are very similar on the inside. Don’t look at me just as someone who has Tourette’s; get to know me better, then make your judgments.
Photo Album
Jeff and I pose for an early studio portrait.
Here I am with my trademark Afro.
When Jeff and I met the St. Louis Cardinals mascot, Fredbird, I knew that someday I wanted to be a mascot, too.
Greg Litt, one of my opponents, was with me when I won a seat on the International Board of Directors for BBYO..
My fellow BBYO International Board members. Top L–R: Matt Blecher, AZ; Jason Porth, MI; me; Dan Wolf, CO; Scott Sternberg, OH. Bottom L–R: Meka Millstone, OH; Wendy Smith, FL; Pam Howard, FL; Alli Meyer, DE; and Becca Goldstein, NE.
My beloved Dodo and me at my high school graduation.
My junior and senior high school principal, Bill Myer, congratulates me at my high school graduation..
I proudly wave the flag for my chosen school, Bradley University.
Here I am with my mom and Steve’s family at his older son’s college graduation. Sitting L–R: Julie Mathes, Julian Mathes, Rich’ard Optican, Joey Mathes, Andy Mathes. Standing L–R: Me, my mom, Steve Mathes.
My roommate Jordan Hirschfield and I wave the flag at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Former major-league baseball player and fellow Touretter Jim Eisenreich has always been a big inspiration to me, and I am extremely proud that he agreed to write the foreword to this book.
Senator Paul Coverdell and I met in Washington, D.C., when I received the Teacher of the Year award for the state of Georgia.
On the 100th day of school I dressed up like I was 100 years old (apologies to the ageism police!) and danced on top of my desk for the kids.
My family was right by my side when I received my master’s degree. L–R: Stanley and Ellen Goldstein (stepdad and Mom); me; my brother, Jeff; Norman and Diane Cohen (Dad and stepmom).
My friends were with me to celebrate me earning my master’s degree. Top L-R: Al Synder, Jordan Hirschfield, me, and Matt Mitchell. Front L–R:Jeff Cohen, Bob Steinback, Brad Burns, Tom Balk.
On an overnight school field trip, principal Jim Ovbey learned firsthand that I do not tic in my sleep.
The last time I saw Heather Thomas was at a pre-Thanksgiving lunch at our school. I am so thankful I had my camera with me that day.
Getting to be on the character staff of the Atlanta Braves was another dream come true. Here I am as the main character, Homer.
I received the Atlanta Braves/BellSouth Excellence in Education Award at Turner Field, home of the Braves. L-R: a BellSouth representative, a fellow winner, me, and Keith Lockhart of the Braves.
Here I am on my wedding day with the two loves of my life, Nancy, my wife, and eating cake!.
Me and my wife with the Hallmark executive team. Back row L–R: Andy Gottlieb (producer), Brad Moore (president, HHOF), Peter Werner (director), Brent Shields (executive producer), Jan Parkinson (VP, HHOF). I’m honored that Hallmark produced a movie about my life in 2008.
RESOURCES
Official Site of Brad Cohen
Features additional resources for those with Tourette’s.
www.frontoftheclassbook.com
Americans with Disabilities Act
Know your rights if you have any kind of disability.
www.ada.gov
Jim Eisenreich Foundation
A foundation for children with Tourette syndrome.
P.O. Box 953, Blue Springs, MO 64013
800-442-8624 (toll free)
www.tourettes.org
Life’s A Twitch
Dr. B. Duncan McKinlay, Psychologist
Based on professional and personal experience, Life’s A Twitch!
offers writings, research, a
documentary, songs, children’s resources, a question-and-answer forum, presentations, and other information
and encouragement for those living with TS and associated disorders.
www.lifesatwitch.com
National Tourette Syndrome Association
A national U.S. organization for those with Tourette syndrome.
42-40 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361
888-4TOURET (toll free) or 718-224-2999
www.tsa-usa.org
Planet Tic
An easy website to use for kids, parents, and teachers.
www.planettic.com
Tourette Spectrum Disorder Association, Inc.
A great place to find more information on the breadth and depth
of Tourette syndrome.
www.tourettesyndrome.org
Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada
A national organization in Canada for those with Tourette
syndrome.
194 Jarvis Street, #206, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2B7
800-361-3120 (toll free)
www.t
ourette.ca
Tourette Syndrome “Plus”
Another great resource for information on Tourette syndrome.
www.tourettesyndrome.net
INDEX
A
administration, aspiring to be in
advocate
for students
for yourself
AEPi
airplanes
Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi)
American Cancer Society
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Amsterdam, David
anger management
anxiety
assembly, spring
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves/BellSouth Excellence in Education Award
Atlanta Fox Theater
Atlanta (Georgia)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
attention deficit disorder (ADD)
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
attention span
award, Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year
awards
Atlanta Braves/BellSouth Excellence in Education
Ben & Jerry’s Citizen Cool semifinalist
Counselor of the Week
Counselor of the Year
Froggy
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Sallie Mae First Class Teacher of the Year
B
baby, egg as pretend
baby-sitter
Banana Theory
bark
Bar Mitzvah
Brad’s
Jacob Singer’s
baseball
Bazemore, Nancy
BBYO
St. Louis Council
Ben & Jerry’s Citizen Cool Award
Bergeron, Cindy
bicycle
big brother. See also Mathes, Steve
birthday
blind date
blowing out nose
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO)
boycott
Bradley University
Brock-Lammers, Christina
Buffalo’s Cafe
Burke, Kory
busboy
C
cafeteria
camp, overnight
Tourette Syndrome Adventure Camp
camp, summer
Camp Alterman
Camp Sabra
Campbell, Joseph
cancer
candle lighting ceremony
character staff
Chinese food
Cleland, Max
CNN
Cobb County
Cohen
Diane
Ellen (Goldstein)
Emily
Hillary
Jeff
Laurie
Mandy
Norman
Stu and Laurie
Cohn, Richard
college, Brad starts
comedy club
concert
Copperfield, David
coprolalia
corresponding secretary
costume. See mascot
counselor
unit head
Coverdell, Paul
Cub Scout
D
dating
death, Heather’s
devil, possessed by
Dexedrine
disability, tips for living with
discipline, maintaining in classroom
discrimination
and interviews
in the workplace
in restaurants
in test-taking
Disney World
divorce
doctors
Dodo
dog
Dr. Seuss
E
educating children
Brad’s first year
Brad’s second year
Brad’s third year
one-on-one
philosophy of
at Stripling Elementary
while student teaching
egg, as pretend baby
Einstein, Albert
Eisenreich, Jim
Emory University
Erdman, Becky
excuses, as bad habit
F
family, extended, See also Cohen
Ferguson, Helen
fifth-graders, student teaching
Fifth Grade Walk
fights
flag, U.S.
football
fourth-graders, student teaching
fraternity rush
friends
Froggy Award
funeral, Heather’s
G
Geisert Hall
Georges Gilles de la Tourette, Dr.
Georgia State University
gift certificate
Gingrich, Newt
giving back
Goldstein, Stanley
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
graduate school
graduation, from Bradley University
grandmother Dorothy (Dodo)
Green Dragon
green room
Green Trails Elementary
H
Haldol
Harlem Nights
hide-and-seek
high school, Brad starts
Hillel
Hirschfield, Jordan
Holocaust
Hopkins, Lindsay
Hopkins, Mary Ellen
Howard, Pam
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Hunter, Madeline
hyperactivity
I
Inner Harbour
Innermost Cave
interviews. See job hunt
J
Jaslow, Leslie
Jewish Community Center (JCC)
Jim Eisenreich Foundation for Children with Tourette Syndrome
job hunt
job offer
Johnson, Celia
junior high, Brad starts
K
Keeble, Sandra
knee knocking
L
L.A. Law
Lapidus, Brian
Lapp, Jeff
lawyer
leadership roles
lockers
Lord of the Flies
Ludwig, Eric
M
Marciano’s Restaurant
Marietta Daily Journal
mascot
at Bradley
Brad playing
characters at Turner Field
Fredbird
master’s degree
math class
Mathes
Andy
Joey
Julie
Steve
Max, Adam
medications
and weight gain
See also specific medication
meet-and-greet night
Minkovich, Lenny
Mountain View Elementary
movies
music
Myer, Bill
N
National Tourette Syndrome Association
nature or nurture
nurse’s office
O
obscenities, as Tourette symptom
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
O’Charley’s restaurant
Oklahoma!
Olympics, Summer
Atlanta
Greece
one-chance rule
Ovbey, Jim
Owens, Darcy
P/Q
parent-teacher conferences
Parkway Central High School
pen pals
Peoria (Illinois)
Peoria Journal Star
Peskin, Mara
Pinewood Derby
playable identity
Brad’s
Brad’s Mom’s
Poock, Jeremy
positive thinking
postcards
principal
office
role in schools
/> See also administration; job hunt
psychologists
Publix grocery store
R
reading, trouble with
recruiter
for Bradley University
for school district
Regal Cinema
Relay for Life
respect, as a new reaction
restaurants
Buffalo’s Cafe
Marciano’s
O’Charley’s
Steak & Fries
Taxco
Tippins
reunion, with father
role model
Rosenberg, Sharon
S
St. Louis Rams
Sally Jesse Raphael Show
school
Hebrew
public vs. private
school bus
Scott, Susan
self-esteem
Singer
Jacob
Rachel
Teri
smelling tic
Snyder, Al
social life. See also friends
sound tic
specialist degree
speeches
sports. See also baseball; Olympics
Steak & Fries
Steinback, Bob
stimulants
Straka, Hilarie
Stripling Elementary
Strohl, Adam
student council
student teaching
studying. See also reading
substitute teacher
suicidal feelings
