Actions and Reactions: Jimmy’s Story PART 1
Jimmy’s father, Martin, has been diagnosed with a certain illness at a young age. Jimmy isn’t very familiar with this illness, especially since he found out about it when he was barely in his fifth grade when he heard his mother and his grandmother talking about it. However, now that Jimmy is in high school and neurological disorders are thoroughly being discussed in school, Jimmy couldn’t help but feel distressed over his father’s condition. Worse, half of him feels ashamed of his father because of the involuntary impulses that he tend to manifest in public. In his early childhood years, Jimmy used to bring his friends to their house to eat his mother’s specialty, spicy chicken wings. Now though, he doesn’t do that anymore because he feels that his dad will do something weird, like give in to his involuntary impulses.
Jimmy was afraid of what his friends might say about his father’s illness. Aside from this, he is also afraid that he would suffer the same fate.
Jimmy is one among hundreds of teens who are at risk of having Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. These tics are the involuntary impulses that Martin exhibits, which Jimmy is ashamed about. Although these tics are commonly simple, like, involuntary shaking or wriggling of the hands and the likes, it may also be severe in some cases, such as acts of swearing repetitively, repeating what other people say, or even slapping or punching one’s self.
To a certain extent, Jimmy’s initial reaction of shame towards his father’s condition is inevitable. Him being a teen, evidently still immature, gives him a “license” for being somewhat shallow. However, it is important for Jimmy, as well for other teens, to realize that individual’s with Tourette’s Syndrome have to live with this condition for the rest of their lives. Thus, understanding, compassion, and support is important to extend to those who are afflicted with it.
