My Biggest Dream Comes True

MY BIGGEST DREAM COMES TRUE

My biggest dream came true on June 22, 2016. That was the day, I graduated from high school.

    At the age of thirty-eight, I had finally did it. I had completed my high school through a community learning center.  I had quit school at the age of twenty-two. I was in grade twelve and was taking it by distant education. I had a lot of health issues, and was dealing with a lot of depression and anxiety, as well. Life wasn't good at that time. Many times, I thought of just ending it all. My mom, was my one support through this all. I counted on her for everything from making me laugh, to just being there.

     At the age of thirty-one, my mom died. It was the hardest thing I had ever had to deal with. She was more than a mother to me; she was my best friend. After I found out she had passed on and went to Heaven, I made a private promise to her. I had never told anyone about this promise, before today. I promised her that I would graduate from high school, and make her proud of me.

     Life went on, and I went through six years of trials. Everything from dealing with my Tourette's to liver and kidney damage that almost killed me. Through it all, I had only one goal in my life . . . to graduate. I worked hard on and off throughout those years on school work, and ended up finishing my English 12 with an "A." I was so proud of myself. I couldn't believe that I actually got an "A." I had gotten "A's" before, but none of them made me feel this proud. I worked hard on that English 12, working into the wee hours of the mornings, many times.

     At the age of thirty-seven, I met a guy, named Ryan. Ryan told me of his struggles in his life, and he inspired me. I decided to go back to school. I knew about the GED, but I wanted to complete my high school by doing the same subjects as everyone else, so I contacted a local school that helped adults complete their high school education. I found out that I only had two more subjects I had to complete to graduate as an adult. I was thrilled! So, that day, I registered for Math 11 and Social Studies 11. I was so nervous, that first day. I had never been to a school in about twenty-six years, and I didn't know exactly what to expect. But, when I got there, everyone was so nice and kind to me. The teachers were encouraging and what I found amazing was that they did not judge me for quitting school so many years before. They accepted me as I was, and I very much appreciated that.

       Eight months later, I walked up to the stage and accepted my diploma. It was the proudest moment of my life. I wore a butterfly brooch in memory of my mother, and in the speech I had written to be read out as I walked across the stage, I dedicated my diploma to my sweet mom. My dad cried, as I gave my principal a huge hug and held my diploma up for everyone to see. I have to admit, I was crying, as well. My biggest dream had finally come true.

      I know my mom was there, that day, watching me walk up to that stage. I know she is proud of me, and I know that she was smiling, and probably crying, as well. 😊😊

Living With Tourette's Syndrome

     Hi! My name is Cheryl Gilmore, and this is my first ever blog! I am thirty-nine years old, and I live in Merritt, B.C., Canada. (Eh?) Okay, so I'm here to talk to you about my life with Tourette's Syndrome.

     I was eleven years old, when I started doing weird noises. I began with clucking my tongue. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I knew I couldn't help doing them. I was in grade six, and kids were starting to make fun of me. I didn't understand, and I felt so incredibly stupid.

     My family didn't understand, either, as I started to do more noises and movements that I couldn't control. I was screeching, and shaking. At one point, my mom thought I was having a seizure. The doctor didn't know what was going on, either, and he ended up sending me to a psychiatrist. That doctor told me that I was just stressed out, and sent me to another "doctor." I use quotes for this "doctor" because he really wasn't much of a doctor, in my opinion.

     This "doctor" took me into a room, told me to lie down, then proceeded to tell me to life my pointer finger, and close my eyes. I did this, even though I thought it was stupid. Then, he told me to imagine a "guide" showing me a light at the end of a tunnel. As he was speaking about this "guide", I began to violently shake. The "doctor" told me to relax and imagine a place where I felt safe.

      He recorded my session on a cassette tape, (so you can tell this was a long time ago!), and told me to listen to the tape every night before bed. The first night, I, listened, and was really quite relaxed, until it got to the "guide" part. I, again, began to shake violently, and actually fell out of my bed. The next night, the same thing happened.

      One night, my mom was reading a Christian Fiction book, where the author called satan a guide. She ran into my room and told me to never listen to that tape again, and the shaking in my bed, immediately stopped.

      After that, we went back to my family doctor and told him that I was not going back to that "doctor." Meanwhile, I had been referred to a pediatric allergist in another city, for allergy testing. While I was there, that doctor told my parents that I may have Tourette's Syndrome.

       When I was told that I may have a medical reason for my noises and movements, I cried with relief. It was an answer to prayer. I no longer felt like a stupid idiot, because what was happening wasn't my fault. The allergist referred me to a Tourette's specialist, and a couple of months later, I was diagnosed.

      Having Tourette's has made my life challenging, but it has also made it rewarding. I have met many others who have dealt with this disorder, and who have gone through many of the same trials that I had gone through. I have been laughed at, teased, mocked, and even thrown out of restaurants and movie theaters. I have even been told a couple of times that I am possessed by the devil.

      Tourette's has made me a more kind, and compassionate person. I get so upset when people treat people with mental disabilities, and brain disorders, as lower class people. I am here to say, that we are normal people with difficult problems. We deserve to be treated like we are an important part of this world.

     I am now, 39, and I am an aspiring author. I would like to show the world that I have important things to say, too.

    Thank you for reading me, and God bless you in all you do!

Love in Christ,

Cheryl