35 Year Old Jason With Tourette Syndrome Seeks Disability Grant
by Jason Michael Scott Herting
My tics range from shrieking to headshaking to full body jerks. I throw my arms almost in a punching motion. I try to survive on an income of $686 a month and the kindness of my family. I've been waiting for public housing or Section 8 for years now. Because I live in an area where hurricane Isabel a few years back destroyed a lot of homes, the list for Section 8 is closed even to the disabled. The daily stress that I endure is mind-numbing. I can't afford to live anywhere or eat half the time. $686 dollars a month doesn't go very far. I really need housing. The stress just makes my tics even worse. I have been so depressed at times just knowing life is always going to be this way. When people see me they either point or shy away or laugh. I tell people who ask me what its like to tic to mimic my worst tics for five straight minutes and usually after 1 to 2 minutes they stop and say how can you live this way. And then they understand what it's like not to be comfortable in your own skin. Well now you know a little about my miserable existence. A government grant could help me secure a home. I don't go outside very often because of how I'm treated. But I don't really blame them because it's hard to deal with for me and everyone around me. I'm glad to have this opportunity to share a little bit of my story with everyone. And next time you think your life sucks, remember you could have my life. Try just shaking your head hard from side to side for three seconds straight stop count to two and repeat. After less than a minute you will be grateful for the life you have. Thanks for listening. Sincerely, hopeless Jason.
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