I have Tourette's. Get over it. | Analise and Robyn Twemlow | TEDxChristchurch

In this brave and touching talk, Analise and Robyn argue for Tourette's to be recognised as a disability, and for treatment to be made available accordingly.
When Analise Twemlow was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome in 2013, her mother Robyn sprang into action, forming the Tourette’s Association New Zealand - of which she is now executive director - and Camp Twitch, a national gathering for Kiwis with Tourette’s. 11-year-old Analise is also a powerful advocate for the rights of people with Tourette’s, speaking at a Grand Round Lecture at Christchurch Public Hospital and appearing on multiple TV programmes.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@JulienNeel]

Her punchline brought tears to my eyes. What a kid! What a Mom she has.

[@gemmabennett8026]

A Cappella Trudb

[@AbsFish-n9o]

I started crying of laughter

[@Lol-sy9iz]

The way she just laughs at herself and shrugs it off even in front of all those people is just amazing I love her so much

[@TourettesAssociationNZ]

Wow - I can't believe so many people have viewed our talk. Big shout out to you all and for your very encouraging comments. Some days it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel as I work to get TS recognised as a disability here in New Zealand.....but the fight is wort it for the kids. Thanks for your support xxx Robyn Twemlow

[@CaseySouthern]

Tourette's Association NZ she is such a warrior, give her my best wishes for the future. Thanks!

[@kl-be7jv]

i have tics too

[@iamamom2006]

You are an amazing mom. Truly inspirational.😊

[@reemhussain3305]

You have the most wounderful daughter on earth...

[@annemchurchwell]

People are still watching in 2020.

[@hannahs4929]

It takes so much courage to stand before a crowd like this and tell your story, especially at such a young age! You're a rockstar Analise!

[@sanpol4399]

Hannah Ste. Absolutely. I totally agree with you.

[@somthingnotreal9001]

H

[@calliemeyer4427]

Analise seems like the sweetest girl ever!!!

[@communaldumpster3074]

California Girl well I've been to there house she doesn't get along with her sister every once and a while but she's usually really lovely

[@BadMilli]

Beautiful child.... she is lovely.

[@cassiesayshi8174]

Bad Milli she's soooo beautiful and sooo sweet

[@marleigh5606]

So brave, too!

[@mysticaltreeirl]

Cassie Blackburn n

[@cassiesayshi8174]

Almandite what

[@mysticaltreeirl]

Cassie Blackburn I was typing something and the send button glitches and it submits.

[@mirensummers7633]

I can't believe people with tourette's don't get disability services, that has to change

[@ItsCleto]

Miren Summers Its not like they're retarded or something.

[@rebeccacompton1634]

Cleto no but they still need help, they aren't as able as people without Tourette's! Especially if they can't drive, can't use public transport etc... or hurt themselves!

[@dovestone_]

Cleto ffs 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@sammysmith9196]

Yeah I think people have different severity levels of tics and they should have services if they say their tic is very severe. I’ve had like a small nose twitch one and then BOOM a shoulder movement so strong and out of the blue that after 2 months of doing it my collarbone broke.

[@Neontronique]

I'd hang out with her all the time. I don't know why she gets picked on so badly, I was teased for having freckles but not ginger hair. Kids are cruel.

[@AnnaHarsley]

I get teased for being quiet and new

[@abby.rayne423]

Karl Fernandez-Cao I would too, we even have something in common. We both have Tourette’s.

[@yoyo-fv9pp]

Karl Fernandez-Cao I know right!! But its mainly because kids aren’t exposed to it and don’t know what it is. Heck, im 13 and just learned about this today. At first I found it humorous but then it just became used to it, but it would be a slight distraction. However nobody deserves to be picked on

[@-crescent422-4]

Freckles are cute!

[@meghan1614]

Karl Fernandez-Cao I have freckles and everyone loves them. I love them. A lot of boys have crushes on me because of my freckles, blue eyes and brown hair. You see, I’m not bragging, if I seem like I am, I’m sorry, I’m not trying too. I have very bad anxiety and I don’t have the best self esteem, but so many people like me for who I am and I just don’t understand that.

[@mahoganytrumpet]

i have never met someone who has adhd ocd anxiety and tourettes like i do! i feel less alone now,

[@oliverselk8560]

wrenichole I got ADHD and OCD but not Tourette's

[@markyong6862]

My daughter has ADHD, Tourette, OCD and some Aspergers symptoms. She’s had a very difficult primary school time where she was frequently bullied and had no friends. 18 now, she’s fairly recently started the swearing part of Tourette’s but mostly able to keep it muttered. You are not alone dear.

[@babystepsmidwife]

look up claire sophia, she has all those things and she’s super cool

[@isabelleandrews5381]

I have Tourette's, ADHD, OCD, and Anxiety too!

[@sadCasserole]

I do too!

[@HLSims]

If she was in my school, I'd stare at her because she's so beautiful. I mean, wow. She's gorgeous.

[@skylerm5252]

She goes to my school :) She's awesome.

[@pupberry]

Skyler Morison realy....

[@reitheboi2031]

Shes in my school, im not even joking its our first year of high school and shes gorgeous

[@skylerm5252]

Did she go to cashmere or another school?

[@skylerm5252]

Srsly she went to chchsouth intermediate.

[@SleepySarahElizabethNarcolepsy]

I like her! She's funny and has a rock star spirit!

[@johntwemlow6089]

I know I'm a relative, and I may be biased, but you are both amazing, and I trust this govt will open their eyes to the great needs you have in dealing with Tourette's and associated problems.

[@analisetwemlow3750]

thanks john must catch up soon :)

[@soph-ia-]

John Twemlow they seem like two incredibly kind, intelligent, and genuine women. excellent ted talk!

[@wl7091]

"I have turrets. Get over it." You go

[@itsdream5436]

turrets

[@wl7091]

My bad

[@wl7091]

Charlie Singleton Yeah I've already covered that but thanks for the reminder.

[@eyewarsx]

Run!

[@spoonhouseinc.1124]

Terets*

[@rachelwright627]

Hey! This is awesome! haha I also have Tourette's, ADHD, Autism, and more! I understand the way that tics make some things impossible. My newest ticks nodding my head randomly and flapping my hands and, being in college and 21, makes people look at me differently and wonder if I will ever stop.

[@streakyredpaintt]

Rachel Wright yo same. I have Tourette's autism and ADHD

[@emmalida]

Rachel Wright just wondering, are the tics a little like hicups? You don't know when they'll come and once the start you can't stop them

[@nashoba5450]

Become a vlogger ahah

[@xkiss7072]

Rachel Wright damn butch you're fucked

[@xkiss7072]

Rachel Wright how do you have all those plus more like wtf

[@mickeyb4441]

This was very moving and informative. I really wanted to learn more about tourettes because I'm very interested in making a change for disorders that go overlooked. Analise is amazing and brave for speaking about her tourettes publicly in front of all those people. I hope she keeps her head up high, she seems bright and funny and an all around great individual. Growing up, she would have been invited to my parties any day. As an 18 year old, I know how cruel kids at school. Keep that valor in your heart.

[@Swerve1992]

Mickey Williams-Turner you so beautiful God bless you on your journey

[@lemonielala3080]

What an awesome mom-daughter team!

[@apologiseyeet]

Lemonie Lala I liked your story, but you said your son was seven at the beginning, and then in the middle you said he was eight??? How does that work?

[@firstcanonkill1767]

Yeah, not discrediting you or anything, but it's nit a disease, it's a motor neuron syndrome.

[@gracewicklund]

Pkye Gaming - RBLX & More! It sounded like he was seven when he got the diagnosis

[@shellyslioneyes]

If you re-read Lemonie's comment, she said in the first sentence her son was diagnosed LAST year at age seven. Then later on, mid-way through, she stated now that he is already eight..." Sometimes it helps to re-read something before you comment. Just saying! :)

[@emmatrauntvein3769]

she is such a cute little girl. it's honestly just like a little sneeze. 😂 I love it!

[@erica_2383]

Which soulless creatures actually disliked this video

[@tardwrangler]

erica_238 A disabled child dies every time someone inquirers about who dislikes video

[@keelysiglet1746]

She actually seems like a really clever, smart, kind person who just has some tics and other mental illnesses like OCD. What an awesome thing for a mother and a daughter like these people to finally help educate people on issues like this. Finally!

[@LoriWolfcat]

I love her and her mom's mindset. I really hope they find out the cause of Tourette's for the people who don't want it. But I hope everyone that has it, whether it be mild or severe, has a good and hopefully, somewhat peaceful life.

[@AmberAPerkins]

This woman and her daughter are badass. I hope New Zealand can soon recognize that this is a disability.

[@chaseblack9038]

i was diagnosed with tourettes syndrome just last week and my heart was broken btw i am only 12 and people still stare at me even though i am screaming i have tourettes and i also live in new zealand

[@alyssabrown1121]

They should make schools for kids with tourette's. Not so we don't have to deal with them, but so they don't have to deal with us. We call them "spaz" and say "What is wrong with you" when really we should treat them like anyone else. But we don't. So they should be surrounded by people who do.

[@ainetrait2313]

Alyssa Brown in theory it's a good idea but people with Tourette's set each other's tics off so all of their tics would be of increased intensity meaning a school of people with Tourette's would just be one big shit storm.

[@shipidyship4067]

Exactly what Aine said. And also kids with Tourtette's should be getting used to being in public, they should be making friends with the kids their age. Rather then excluding the kids with Tourette's we should educate the other kids about mental illnesses.

[@wotfanar4539]

Alyssa Brown while we're at it sort the weirdos into segregated community's!

[@disanthropi]

One of my good friends has tourette's and I'd be so sad if I never got to meet her. People need to get used to people with disabilities. They shouldn't just be hidden away from the general public.

[@tramixor3202]

Treating them like others would mean punishing them, what they need is special treatment

[@mellowapocalypse]

Love them both! As a kid with ADHD no one wanted to be my friend either and I would have loved a friend like Analise.

[@elizabethgiles7484]

Riley Anne same story! I actually have a friend with Tourette's!

[@henrys55]

Same

[@scoutann4457]

What a beautiful couple of humans

[@glen458]

She is a legend, she will find 1 or 2 very close friends who really care about her. That is far better than being miss popular with a whole bunch of kids who don’t really care at all.

[@theblackdahlia88]

This is what parenting is. Beautiful mother and a beautiful daughter. I'm glad I watched this, it's very informative.

[@katec2922]

Good on you both, mum for fighting for the rights of your daughter and others like her and to Analise for her bravery! My daughters Tourette’s is rapidly progressing and it’s scary and sad for us all. I hope one day my daughter will feel as brave and confident and you do!

[@CameraShySmash]

There was this guy in my school who had mild tics and he was beloved by the whole school earning the nickname "twitch" which I'm pretty sure he gave himself. He was my favourite person ever and seeing how kind people could be growing up was so refreshing and necessary

[@elifkopat]

she has anxiety and stood in front of so many people...big props to her. I smiled through her whole speech..she is freacking cute

[@ilexdiapason]

She did really well to just keep soldiering through every tic, I can't even hiccup on stage.

[@Adhdorwhatever22]

this is so sad. she's brave

[@katkasey9365]

I'm really happy to see how many positive comments are on this video, it really gives me more faith in humanity.

[@daniiiakasha1436]

I had my first onset of Tourette's when I was 7. I was not diagnosed until I was 31. I'm now 39, and I have a daughter named Annalise! She just turned 10. I take an anticonvulsant. Analise, when you grow up, the tics lessen and will wax and wane throughout life.

[@jamesfillmore5862]

I know how she feels cause I have Tourettes myself. She is VERY brave and it takes a LOT of guts to do what she did. God Bless her.

[@mayorofsimpleton5674]

What a lovely pair of human beings. As for the mother, Analise is very lucky to have such a supportive parent. My sister lies in the autism spectrum and used to have quite a few tics just like Analise, and I'm glad my parents were supportive. People would mock her about it at school and my father with whom I don't live anymore did the same. It's so unfair for people like Analise and my sister to be treated this way, even though I can tell that they are both splendid human beings. And Analise, if I went to your school, I'm pretty sure we'd be great friends:) Bless

[@deliciousmosquito7584]

I have never met someone this similar to me. I was born with multiple disabilities and many people hate me for it. They range from: Ticks, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, OCD and alot more :\ but this video has shown me to pull through it and be the best I can be.

[@BriannaTerese]

One of my favorite ted talks. You go, mom!! The world is desperately in need of people like you.

[@PrincessMuk]

As someone with Tourette’s, this is *super* important to me!!!

[@haxyquinn]

I haven't meet anyone with Tourette's this is far more educative that just some doctor saying what it is, i really liked the vid now i want to learn how to do a cartwheel

[@soggydiamond]

What a blessing you have given us by making this Ted talk- its so positive in many ways!! And will help so many other educators and folks with Tourettes and other disabilities. Maybe Anna lis could help start a disability club at her middle school?

[@sariryttylainen7729]

what a beautiful clever girl 😍

[@andreamerlehoward]

This was FABULOUS! I love the clearly loving and supportive relationship comes through - the little girl is brave, beautiful, and a badass! The mom is awesome and has done an amazing job raising her daughter. However, I love the closing line which perfectly suits all of us that are mama bears, LOL!

[@cephalopistol]

I'm not one to cry all that much, especially because of media I watch, but this definitely brought a tear or two to my eye. I was lucky enough to have minimal tics until Freshman year in high school, and was immediately taken out of public school and into online school after they did become severe. Seeing the story of Analise has answered the question I have thought of for the 2-ish years I've been diagnosed with Tourette's: what would've happened if the tics got severe in middle school? I feel even more motivated to spread awareness about my disorder now that I've watched this. Those two are so amazing, and I hope the situation in NZ improves for the better. ^^

[@crystalgodslayer-yt6767]

i have tourette's too and let me just say its hard sometimes to control it but that's made me reach my peak and now i'm an actor in Los Angeles California and let me say you go girl and that's a girly thing to say and i'm a boy who fricken cares its the same thing with tourette's don't let people bad mouth you i got bullied too but then i moved to LA and became an actor and i also have ADHD and anxiety its true like you said its common but i say the more the cooler, if you have it, you have a bigger mind than others just by that cause you have stopped something that normal people don't have and everyone that has a disability and that means your special, SPECIAL IN AN AMAZING WAY :D that doesn't mean special in a bad way, actually its quite the opposite and I've experienced that too I've went on a stage too and let me just say it was one of the best days of my life and that will never change unless tourette's takes me an even greater path in life. So let me just say if your tourette's was a raging bull you are the only one that can control it yes you all of you that are reading this right now not just in tourette's and you will take it to even greater heights. I'm 12 Years Old and my name is Parker, Analise i Loved Every Single Word in Your Speech Thank You bye. :D ;D :) ;)

[@marvinfogleman4117]

I can totally relate to Analise has having Tourette's is extremely hard to live with as it is very painful. I had the issue where people at school said bad words to me and I had to repeat them. People are very mean. This is a great video.

[@cameronmccarthy3019]

feelsbadman

[@NineALaMoi]

I am so proud of you that you just stood there so bravely and showed everyone your strengths. I have Tourette myself and I have been watching this video with come crazy nodding, clicking and blinking, other people's tics trigger mine haha. You are very lucky with your mom and I am certain that you two, and your friends and family, will be able to keep up the fight.

[@BellyCheese]

Im 14 and tics just came upon when i was about 6 or 7 to hear this story is so cool to see and to listen to

[@pattyray8784]

Brilliant child...so incredibly beautiful, honest and full of life. I love her and her parents. God bless them!!!!

[@Andrew_travels_New_Zealand]

Thank you. I have worked with a chap who has Tourettes and he was one of the most fun guys I have ever worked with and had the pleasure of knowing.

[@SRoseBlog]

Mom should be proud of the young lady confident analise is becoming. Analise is brave and strong BC of the great strong woman Robyn is

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

I like how Analise takes her symptoms like a champ. She's comfortable joking about her experiences, and she's not afraid to tell it how it is.

[@itsmollythobird4239]

This is lovely. I also have Tourette syndrome and this is very empowering and I love her story

[@slabofcheese18]

She is an absolutely amazing girl, I have OCD, Autism, and Anxiety, but I am very curious about the condition. I wish her luck, it's amazing to see her so brave to speak in front of all of these people, and I hope she gets better. ♡♡♡♡♡ SHE IS SO FREAKING CUTE!!!!! (LOVE THE SHIRT)!!!!!

[@kinkarobotina]

People like these two need waaaay more publicity! These are real advocats for health issues.

[@prinzessin-insomnia]

I like her so much, she seems so cool and so nice

[@cocoa_bear9237]

So glad I found this video... Taught me more about Tourette's and Analise was amazing

[@crissysims4357]

Congrats to this beautiful young lady. More people need awareness. Thank you

[@nuttyfroot]

Oh my goodness. What a wonderful young lady and an incredible mum. This made my heart so full ❤

[@ellalucy8575]

She is absolutely gorgeous, what a wonderful young lady who will grow up to do amazing things. Hopefully, educating more people. ❤️

[@tabbysak]

Okay I'm gonna be 100% honest and I mean no offense by this at all but I've never seen/heard/met someone with tourettes and this interested me to learn more about it so when she started speaking I jumped quite a few times but eventually I got used to it and her speech was amazing she's such a strong person

[@yanderepenguin5224]

Sammy Knight tourrets is really intresting in the way that I never noticed it until i become away of it now I see it everywhere. My girlfriend has tourrets and until I met her I had no idea about it at all. Admitingly it did take time getting used to my girlfriend's tics but now I'm really used to it, and we actually get a good laugh out of some of the stuff she says at times. As I said before her I had no idea about tourrets or tics at all, yet now I see people with tics all the time I guess that before I just never really questioned it. If you have the chance to meet someone with tics, do it! They would actually likely enjoy explaining it to you and you may find a life long friend out of it :)

[@tabbysak]

Cool, thanks for sharing your experience :)

[@elgrace729]

You’re beautiful girl own it! You are so special! Don’t ever believe what people say you are beautiful keep being you sweetie❤️

[@aestheticsperfection7101]

She seems like a great person to be around, fun, happy, energetic. She seems sooooooooooooo sweet!

[@drheidel]

And great job to you, Robyn - your inspiration is what I'll take home with me tonight when parenting my own children. Thank you.

[@chi-chichou3807]

Such a lovely and strong mother and daughter!

[@emmabarton98]

She's such an adorable kid and she's really brave to stand in front of such a huge crowd I'd be terrified.

[@Clara-mo6mb]

Might be my fav ted talk ever

[@ABirdOnTheMoon]

My dear :) .. I wish you to change the world so you will have everything you want in life and even more! :) Bravo for your Mamma to be your first cheerleader :D ... all the love to you from UK xx

[@isaacwhelan604]

This is exactly what I needed to hear

[@emziebarker8640]

Wow so glad I came across this video. This girl is awesome, such an excellent speaker at such a young age! Inspirational ❤️

[@tylercooper1551]

That little girl is absolutely infectiously inspiring and her mother is one wonderful woman!!!!! She doesn't get fazed by her daughters ticks and laughs with her about some of them

[@julesmarie7391]

i love how she can do easily laugh about her tics. she's such a strong girl

[@LancelotGraal]

Analise is a wonderfully brave and inspiring young girl. She's standing there in front of such a big audience, smiling and confidently and clearly teaching us about her condition. I don't know many 11 year olds who would be able to do that. I would not have been able to do that. Hats off to you young lady, you'll go far.

[@gooeygaster30]

i keep focusing on her words and then she tics and i jump 10 feet out of my seat. i love her!!!

[@suicidalhuman6613]

i want to hug her so muchhh

[@capdown]

and yet my annoying classmate imitates this and defines the tics as to being swearing every one second. so much courage. all my respect to her and her mum

[@mrfester42]

That young lady is really charming and I was quite taken with her. Her strong happy and good natured mom is probably where she gets it.

[@wellhelltherefellwhuman4637]

Her smile and laugh are so contagious, every time she smiled I smiled

[@LieutenantSheep]

she's so brave and tough. Standing in front of people and showing off something you struggle with is hard, no matter how old you are. This was really well done. And she's a gorgeous little girl. I hope it gets easier for her and that the kids start to treat her with more understanding.

[@loki5303]

I get constant tremors, my whole body shakes and you can't really control it. I really liked how she used the holding your breath thing, because it's true.

[@hopetikvah2294]

i think the best way to describe it is like hiccups, you really can't contain tics, they just kind of pop out no matter how hard you struggle. What a brave and beautiful girl. i wish she was my friend. It must be so scary to go and say a speech in front of all those people! She did sooo well! i could never do a speech like that

[@19irving]

I am a content development director for a large corporate conference and have recruited many speakers, based on their subject knowledge, presentation focus and quality of delivery. My focus is multicultural marketing, not Turrets. But from a chosen subject standpoint, I was immediately amazed at how well she speaks for a child on all 3 fronts. Let me add that I myself have a mental illness and I know how tough things can be.

[@sincerewavesasmr4659]

She's such a cutie and the way she laughs at herself and doesn't take it too seriously is admirable.

[@ThinkingBig]

What a strong and courageous family! Best of luck!

[@rollypolly4822]

I have adhd, depression, and anxiety and mild ocd. its hard and I consider myself to be lucky compared to others I wish the best of luck with those who have it worse than me

[@Killianlolz]

I'm guessing, you self diagnosed your self, which means you more than likely don't have anything you stated above.

[@rollypolly4822]

Kushy No actually I am not and I don't need to explain to you how my doctors and family found out about it

[@torimoon3191]

One of my best friends has OCD and Tourette's and he is probably one of the most awesome people I've ever had the pleasure of having them come barging into my life at full speed. You're amazing, Analise. You do you. There's never a time where there's going to be something wrong with that.

[@hebruixe9125]

i love how that young girl can laugh at her own outbursts and put the entire audience to ease great video

[@acas8372]

She has such a great attitude to this.

[@izziewarren3454]

She's such a doll. :) She's brave and absolutely adorable

[@dawggg_]

she's amazing! She's really lucky to have a mother that's supportive and loving!

[@heyitsaradia]

I'm in awe of the strength of Annalise and her mother, this speech and their lives have touched me so much. Everyone should be better educated in Tourette's and other disorders so that we understand people better and kids don't make fun of them. Also so that they can get the help they need, like the physical disability stuff. Needs to change!

[@t0nyb33]

This is one of the best TED talks I have seen! Bravo to both of you. Analise, you are a most inspiring, courageous and beautiful soul. I wish you all the best.

[@wuor]

Its beautiful how she laughs them off. Shes so brave and strong and I love her

[@shantalpittysingh9438]

she so beautiful, and I'm so proud of her for going out there and being proud and okay for the person she is.🌹🌻

[@lll5108]

her attitude rocked the house down, seems like such a cool person!

[@bqwadseertg]

I loved this talk so much, it is incredible to see a person (especially a younger person) be so strong and understanding of their disability/disorder.

[@bjark2943]

she's so bright and glowing i love her

[@Taninipanini_564]

She's so beautiful like she could be a star on Disney Channel or something!

[@connibroadnax6256]

You tell'em Analise! You both are very inspiring and the government needs to start listening and make the changes!

[@DarkenedFaerie13]

You should be so proud of Analise. What a gorgeous, intelligent, well spoken girl! You'll go far in life Analise! It may or may not be down a traditional path but you're amazing!

[@janaeid100]

What a brave and beautiful girl and what a strong and determined mother. I hope something is done about tourettes soon and that they find a cure for it in the future!