"Tics are not thoughts. They are not opinions. They are not secret beliefs hiding underneath the surface. They are involuntary neurological impulses - like a sneeze or hiccup except sometimes they attach themselves to words that carry weight, history, and pain."
"It doesn't excuse the hurt a word carries. Words matter. History matters. Pain matters. But so does neurological reality. There is a difference between intent and impulse."
Baylen Dupree, who has Tourette's Syndrome, explains the distinction between involuntary tics and intentional speech. Tics are neurological impulses similar to sneezes or hiccups, not expressions of hidden beliefs or opinions. When tics produce offensive words, particularly slurs with historical significance, the impact on listeners remains real and valid. Dupree emphasizes that while understanding the neurological reality of Tourette's is important, the pain caused by harmful words cannot be dismissed. She advocates for compassion toward those with Tourette's while simultaneously honoring the weight and history of words, distinguishing between the impulse behind tics and intentional intent.
#tourettes-syndrome #involuntary-tics #compassion-and-accountability #neurological-conditions #intent-versus-impulse
Read at Vulture
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]