It was called "Family Secrets".

It showed a camp for kids with Tourettes. It also showed how Tics affect the kid, the family, etc.

It was the most fascinating thing I have ever watched. I said to myself "Imagine having a body that you can't control".

I felt for the mothers. They so wanted to help their children, but with this neurological condition, well they can't.

They tried all the meds, supplements, etc. NOTHING WORKED.

I'm more than halfway through the show (which I taped). I'm up to the part where one of the kids went through brain surgery to stop the tics.

One doctor (a specialist in Tourettes), admitted that they still don't know WHY.

My god, this is 2008, you mean they still don't know why this is happening? Don't they do MRI's of the brain on a regular basis.

And it comes on from age 5 to 7, then it gets worse, then it gets better?

I know people with Tourettes. Some have it mild, some swing their heads from left to right, every few minutes.

My ex landlord's son (this was over 30 years ago), he was about 30, he came on the porch, started cursing, then simply went into another mode of behavior. They all treated it like it was nothing.

I knew immediately this guy had Tourettes. I had seen it before.

I then watched him from time to time. Sure enough, that was his THING. No motor ticks, just verbal cursing for no reason whatsoever.

I hope that someday, the researchers really give this condition the time and study it so deserves.

We have to help these kids. They deserve so much more.

Melody

we watched it too. i think all kids should watch it. help them understand. heck, adults too. grandmonkey had some honest questions. it's so easy to explain at that age. it just becomes part of his reality. he knows what ts is now. he knows they can't help it. his one question "why don't people ask them and not be mean?" was the hardest to answer.

one of the girls who was in my daughters choir has ts. most people knew. it was sad to see the reaction of the few who didn't.

i hope they put the video clip on the web. if you find mel, let us know.

I watched it too... What an eyeopener for me.

I found this link on ABC's site...
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5374600

It's only about 2 or 3 minutes...

Abbie

curious.

You want to know if they show the whole episode on the net??

I'll find it for you. If it exists, believe me, I'll find it.

Mel

I didnt know about the show but for sure there are ways to make living with TS a LOT better....my son is living proof of that!!
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1145.html

Wow, good for your son. The whole thing really moved me.

And Curious:

I really tried to find it on the internet. Can't find it anywhere. (and I find stuff, believe me). Hopefully they'll repeat it. They do that sometimes.

Bye for now.

Melody

I missed it too... My son Scott has tourettes. Hes 18 and will be a senior in HS this year. Hes doing great.... I'm so very proud of him!!!!! If they do show this again i'd love to see it... just seeing the intro brought tears to my eyes.
vicky

i found the text version....

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5374049&page=1