My name is Edan Lloyd, and I am 46 years old and live on Kibbutz Sde Boker. I have Tourette’s syndrome.

I was born and raised in a completely normal framework, receiving full support from my family and surroundings. I studied all my life in regular schools.

 

I always had a problem with fine motor skills and tremors in my hands from an early age, but I wasn’t diagnosed with Tourette’s until I was 15; until then, we had no idea. Reaching the diagnosis wasn’t easy either, and I remember that we went through a lot of doctors and hospitals until we got to Ichilov to the movement disorders unit, where they told us it was Tourette’s syndrome.

 

At first, it was a shock and difficult to adapt. My family and friends accepted it quickly and supported me throughout. Only I always had trouble accepting the syndrome and the fact that I was different from other people. I always used it as an excuse for all my problems and difficulties and did not take responsibility.

 

It wasn’t until about 14 years ago that I accepted Tourette’s as part of me and came to the conclusion that I had to live with it because it wasn’t going anywhere. This also allowed me to discover in me mental strengths that help me cope with all the challenges and difficulties that Tourette’s and life throw at me. Since I got it, the relationship of hate and love between me and Tourette’s has improved. The self-hatred I have for myself also begins to weaken, and I start to love myself more and accept Tourette’s as part of me.

 

My vision is to raise awareness of Tourette’s syndrome in the country so that people with Tourette’s syndrome will find it easier to integrate into society and be fewer victims of teasing and humiliation. Part of my vision is also to inspire and prove that with support and faith, it is possible to live a rich and normal life despite Tourette’s. I also hope to inspire people who, with faith, can do anything despite limitations.