Discrimination and the 'mocking' media depictions of Tourette Syndrome (the "comedic myth") are not a laughing matter - true you do have have a sense of humour and laugh sometimes at some of the stuff you find happening to yourself and others as a result of TS. The problem is that this is not just about being irritated by media stereotypes. These misconceptions have very real and damaging affects through disability discrimination and bullying against adults (& kids) with TS.
It is about time that individuals with TS are permitted access to employment opportunities and professions that are commensurate with their abilities and educational status. For many with TS, gaining academic qualifications necessarily requires a level of commitment and determination that many people without TS could never imagine. Certainly many people with TS have to work significantly harder to study and pass examinations, especially when they are often not entitled to the educational support and accomodations that students with other developmental disorders may enjoy (e.g. those with autism, dyslexia, physical disability etc.). It is even more disheartening (and confidence-undermining) that, despite having good qualifications, you have to frequently settle for poorly paid or demeaning jobs where you are often working for or with other people who may have lesser academic or work-related skills.
Many of us have been denied employment and also academic training due to having TS, as a consequence of misconceptions or just pure prejudice - this is both highly illegal and disheartening for the individual and also financially damaging particularly when you have a family to support. Parents with TS would like to be able to help put their children through university also but are often unable to earn a decent salary and the effects of being seen as having a disabilty have thus a 'knock-on' and multi-generational consequence. I have lost opportunities on many occasions despite the fact that I have good qualifications and graduated top of my class at univ. I have seen so many other people who do not have the same academic qualifications get jobs and progress where I feel I've had to fight to get anything at all. This is a vicious circle as if you don't have money you cannot afford to hire a law firm to fight for your rights under discrimination law. I always try and stay positive but we really shouldn't have to fight continuously for the right to a live a normal life, have an education, a job and buy a home and so provide a good life for our kids.
The issue of advocacy and legal representation for people with TS who have difficulties with getting employment or education/training is something about which greater public awareness is needed (although such resources should ideally be available to all who are placed at an unfair disadvantage due to disability).
