I have a distant memory of having a tic when I was around 7 years old.  My only real memories are a) the sensation of needing to constantly blink my eyes (similar to the sensation of wanting to rub tired eyes), which was accompanied by a head nod and b) another boy in my class seeing me doing it, and imitating me, deliberately, to mock my tic.

Over the last few years, my wife and I have noticed our beautiful boy developing his own tics.  They have been varied in nature and have changed over time (from throat clearing to blinking, from head nodding, to vocalising the "mmm" sound, from shoulder shrugs, to toe curling).  They have also increased in intensity, to the point of being virtually constant, and then subsided temporarily before returning in a different form.

In March 2023, he was diagnosed as having Tourettes Syndrome. It has been hard to watch as parents.

Tourettes Action have been fantastic.  They have provided guidance and education not just for us, as Leo's parents, but also for Leo himself as well as his school.  

Tourettes Action do not receive any government funding and are entirely dependent on external support.  

As I am writing this story, it is just 3.5 weeks until the London Marathon.  I was made aware, this morning, that I could participate in the London Marathon (virtually - completing the 26.2 mile run anywhere I choose) to raise money for TA.  It was a no-brainer.  I signed up immediately... as did my good friend James Deag.

3.5 weeks is nowhere near enough time to prepare for a marathon.  So this will be tough.

However, just to make it that little bit more tough, we are planning to run the marathon in the Yorkshire Dales, so we can incorporate the 24 mile "Yorkshire 3 Peaks" route (with its 5,200ft of ascent).

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