Getting Personal: Stories of Life with Tourette Syndrome

Rating:
Summary: A Much Needed Book
Review: As a parent of a child with Tourette syndrome, I read whatever I can about this neurological condition. What helps the most are stories about adults who have "survived" childhood and adolescence and are now successfully living their adult years. Their life experiences give me hope for my son, and they inform my son that he is not alone and that he has a future. This is EXACTLY the kind of book we needed to read! There are so few books of its kind (I know of only two others). Michael DeFilippo and the various essayists in the book display much honesty and courage. This book is not only for those who have Tourette syndrome and their families; it is for educators at all levels, employers, and all people everywhere! We are all different in some way, and yet we are all very much the same. Thank you, Michael, for that lesson.

Rating:
Summary: A Much Needed Book
Review: As a parent of a child with Tourette syndrome, I read whatever I can about this neurological condition. What helps the most are stories about adults who have "survived" childhood and adolescence and are now successfully living their adult years. Their life experiences give me hope for my son, and they inform my son that he is not alone and that he has a future. This is EXACTLY the kind of book we needed to read! There are so few books of its kind (I know of only two others). Michael DeFilippo and the various essayists in the book display much honesty and courage. This book is not only for those who have Tourette syndrome and their families; it is for educators at all levels, employers, and all people everywhere! We are all different in some way, and yet we are all very much the same. Thank you, Michael, for that lesson.

Rating:
Summary: The daily lives of those with Tourette Syndrome
Review: Compiled by Michael G. DeFilippo (who was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in 1998), Getting Personal: Stories Of Life With Tourette Syndrome is a collection of true anecdotes from those who have the Tourette condition, often called the "cursing disease" as it is characterized by involuntary verbal outbursts such as curse words. Informal insights into the daily lives of those with Tourette Syndrome combined with "first-person" journal entries to make for a rewarding, informative reading that speaks directly from experience to life and which is especially recommended reading for the friends and families of those who are afflicted with Tourette Syndrome.

Rating:
Summary: Getting Personal: Stories of Life with Tourette Syndrome
Review: I think that it is a great book. If you look into one of 22 stories in the book, you will find that one of them is MINE. My name is Eric Daily. The article is called " Thank You Dateline ". I discoverd that I had TS in October of 1998. I am 37 now.
Michael Defilippo contacted me through my web site and asked me if I would like to tell my story. I of course told him sure. He has done a wonderful job in editing and writing this book. It shows the personal side of TS, from words of those who actualy deal with it on a daily basis. You may contact my web site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CW_TS

Rating:
Summary: Getting Personal: Stories of Life with Tourette Syndrome
Review: I think that it is a great book. If you look into one of 22 stories in the book, you will find that one of them is MINE. My name is Eric Daily. The article is called " Thank You Dateline ". I discoverd that I had TS in October of 1998. I am 37 now.
Michael Defilippo contacted me through my web site and asked me if I would like to tell my story. I of course told him sure. He has done a wonderful job in editing and writing this book. It shows the personal side of TS, from words of those who actualy deal with it on a daily basis. You may contact my web site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CW_TS

Rating:
Summary: Tourette Syndrome Personal?? Now it Is
Review: This book is very informative and enlightens us with the reality of TS. DeFlilippo has captured true to life events and used them to prepare adults in general about this disorder. I have placed one on my parents shelf and one on the teachers professional shelf to educate both about this disorder. I recommend all libraries stock it, because it gives information that is needed in our world to further understand persons with TS.

Rating:
Summary: Moving Portrayals of Life with a Challenge
Review: With the media so intent on sensationalizing Tourette Syndrome, it's often easy to forget that Touretters are real people who face the same challenges that "normal" people do. The stories in this book are testimonials to the human spirit and the power of love to succeed in the face of challenges that the rest of us can't even comprehend.

Statistically, very few people with Tourette Syndrome actually suffer from "the cursing disease;" yet it is the primary focus of the majority of media discussions of this disorder. The stories contained in this book provide a much more accurate picture of the breadth of this disorder than most mainstream media.

The contributors to this book speak candidly about the challenges they've faced (such as growing up with peers and/or parents who didn't understand), and inspire us with their successes (such as the teenager whose schoolmates stood up for him when an ignorant teacher wouldn't listen to reason). Interestingly, most of the authors say that they wouldn't want to be without TS, because it's part of who they are.

It's a compelling read, and filled with uplifting stories from people who live full and happy lives, and who remind us that we should all do the same, regardless of our own personal demons.