Spoken Word Piece - Driving With Tourette's
 

I thought I would share this spoken word piece I wrote with you guys.
I'm going to make a video for it and post it on YouTube when I get it down pat. I'll post a link to it when I get it done. For now, here's a copy of the text.

Driving With Tourette's

Left, right
It's turned into a fight.
So, I pull the car over
Onto the curb and I
Make sure it's not in reverse.
Pull out my cell phone.
Scroll through the contacts.
I hate having to do this,
But to not would be a hazard.
So, I take a deep breathe,
And I listen to the rings.
And it rings, and it rings,
And I plead as it rings.
"Just pick up the phone!"
On the side of the road,
I sit, looking like a freak.
I can not control
What my body does and screams!
I wonder if people look at me
As they pass in their normal
Cars with their normal bodies.
And I wonder if this is
What its like to have normal
Kids in the backseat screaming
And throwing toys.
Cars and barbies
Whizzing past your head.
Then I begin to wonder
If they will take away my liscence
And then I'll become
Completely dependent on
The parent who suddenly
Answers the call from their
Twenty one year old daughter who
Is supposed to be headed to work
To earn minimum wage
And give it all away
To the doctors and pharmacies
That dish out drugs that
Are supposed to help, but
In reality, so far, they've not.
And she says hello and I
Swallow my pride because
Pride is likely to get me killed
Or worse, paralyzed
With memories of a ride I took
Even though I knew better.
Memories of a family that I
Could have saved if I
Had been smart enough to pull over.
So, for the starring mother
With her screaming kids
And their flying barbies and kens,
I swallow my pride.
I swallow my pride and
Tell her I need a ride.
The tics are so bad I
Try to stay on the road,
But even when I get there,
I'm sure to erode
'Cuz they'll just be a nuisance
And that normal starring mother
And her normal screaming kids
Will come through my line
And wonder what my deal is.
Interrupting, she tells me to
Stay where I am.
She'll come and get me.
No need to explain.
She doesn't understand that
I have to explain, but
I just don't have the ability
To explain that
When my brain backfires,
I am twelve years old
Asking my mom for a ride.
In reality, I'm twenty one.
My independence has regressed.
For months, this has been my
Horrid, harsh reality
Driving with Tourette's.

Thanks so much for sharing your poem with us and I hope you keep writing many more. It's incredible.
Maybe compile them for a book one day. ;)

If you've not done so already you might want to read some that others have written as well.
From Tourette's Syndrome "PLUS"
Reflections

Let us know when you've made your video. I'd love to view it too.
:hug:

Well, I was going to record the video and post it today, but ive lost my voice.

Thank you.
 

I love this. I struggle with driving on a daily basis. I am having major anxiety issues because it scares me that I may crash one day. I'm glad I'm not alone.

This did speak volumes to me. I had this problem a few times many years ago. Neck jerks accompanied by screaming. Thanks for this.