Affliction / Illness: Tourette’s syndrome and incorrect fusion of left leg resulting from three fractures
“I was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when I was 12 years old. Tourette’s syndrome causes severe, involuntary movements and vocal outbursts. By the time I was 19, the twitching was so bad that I had dislocated joints all over my body. My doctors tried everything to relieve my pain and vocal outbursts. When all else failed, I decided to try medical marijuana. Marijuana seems to perfectly complement the many prescription medicines I take on a daily basis. It eases my pain and allows me to reduce my intake of painkillers, and my dosage of Orap, a Tourette’s syndrome drug that can negatively affect the heart. Marijuana also stimulates my appetite, which is weakened by Adderall, an amphetamine-based drug that treats my ADHD but causes unwanted side effects like appetite loss. Marijuana has provided me with hope and inspiration that I can lead a normal life. Though I am on disability and don’t have to work, I choose to work because I want to contribute to society. I would not be a functioning member of society if it were not for marijuana, and it’s essential that people like me make our voices heard.”
