Meet Zack, a teenager with one of the most severe cases of Tourette Syndrome in the United States. Terrorized by a disorder that causes him seemingly endless pain, Zack struggles to control his often violent tics. Zack hits his mother, punches holes in walls, and pounds his own head, but he can't control it; he can simply wait it out. A new experimental surgery could stand to improve Zack's quality of life, and the video below explores life before and after this potentially life-changing surgery.
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes repetitive, involuntary motions and vocalizations that are referred to as tics. Each case of Tourette's manifests differently, some being quite minor while others can be severe and destructive like Zack's. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, general onset of Tourette Syndrome occurs between the ages of 3 and 9, and males are three to four times more likely to develop Tourette's than females. While symptoms can last a lifetime, they tend to be worst during teenage years and become more manageable in early adulthood.
Because Zack's case of Tourette's is so incredibly debilitating, he and his family decided to try out an experimental neurosurgery that involves an electrical device being implanted in his brain. Zack and his family hope that this device will help reduce or even put an end to his violent tics so that he can live a relatively normal life. Immediately after the surgery, Zack seemed different and detached, as if he wasn't quite there anymore, but his recovery soon took a positive turn. Once he had fully recovered from surgery and the device in his brain was turned on, Zack started making incredible improvements.
Seeing Zack at the end of the video is like seeing a different person than the Zack from the beginning of the video; this boy who had suffered so much of his life was finally able to look at his future with hope. While his surgery was risky, it seems to have been the miracle that he and his family needed, and it's wonderful to see Zack experiencing normalcy for the first time in his life. What do you think of Zack's story? Did you know that Tourette Syndrome could be so severe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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