Busy Body, my life with Tourette's syndrome by Nick Van Bloss

I read this book all in one sitting. It's not that I don't have anything else to do it's just that I couldn't put it down. I read while stirring the oatmeal, I read while sorting laundry, I read as the washer cycle spun.

Nick Van Bloss has lead a remarkable life. Tormented mercilessly in school by students and in at least one case, by teachers, he prayed every day for rescue. Why God didn't answer that prayer will be on my list of questions to ask the Almighty when I reach the pearly gates. Also, I'm going to want to know just where in hell that teacher ended up; if it is not a toasty corner with no water cooler I am going to circulate a petition to make it so.

Tourette's syndrome is a brain disorder that is best known for its victim's potty mouths. Many with the syndrome can't control the compulsion to swear, loudly, often and colorfully. Van Bloss doesn't have that symptom but it seems the only one he doesn't. He is plagued by tics, clenching and unclenching of muscles, nodding and jerking his head, eye rolling, and on and on. To give us some idea of his need to tic he suggests we not blink for a period of time. That build up of overwhelming need to blink is similar to his need to tic. There is no holding it back.
Studying the piano was and is Van Bloss' salvation and passion. Although Tourette's syndrome is a curse, the compulsion to concentrate completely gives the sufferer a leg up on learning new things over those of us whose interests don't consume us. Never mind that the leg that is up is twitching and ticcing, at least he is concentrating.

Van Bloss began having symptoms at age 7 and though the signs were classic no doctor diagnosed the problem until he was 21. "Bad nerves" they had said. Where did they all go to medical school and don't they know about researching odd cases. I read about Tourette's as a kid in the sixties and I am sure no MD.

Read this book. It is a glimpse into the life of a person with problems we can only imagine, whose humor and humanity shine through the pages. You will applaud his successes and gnash your teeth over his troubles.