On Monday my Festive Outburst was “Lamp-post, shall we do ‘Secret Santa’?”

When I shared this on Facebook, Fran, who was supporting me, said ‘So what would you get the lamp-post for Secret Santa?’

She didn’t have to wait long for an answer because, predictably, my tics were quick to take the bait.…

Just under three weeks ago I went to meet a team from Channel 4 who were embarking on an unusual project. They were looking for people with communication differences to announce some of their shows.

Before that meeting, I would’ve put ‘continuity announcer’ alongside ‘butcher’ and ‘living statue’ as jobs that my tics made it impossible for me to do, though of course I’m perfectly capable of making a clear, albeit biscuity, announcement.…

I’ve written several posts about my amazing new wheelchair, but I’m also still using my NHS chair a lot too because it’s much better for inside the castle or anywhere where with tight spaces.

The two chairs have different braking systems and I sometimes struggle to remember which chair I’m in.…

This morning I had a lovely hot shower but forgot to put the extractor fan on which meant by the time I’d finished, the bathroom was thick with mist. And that’s something I’m apparently neurologically incapable of ignoring.

“It’s mistier than the 1800s.”…

Earlier today I saw this brilliant post on A Little Bit Different. It details a list of ten things that people with Tourettes and their families often hear but would rather not.

It’s a great list and if you have a friend, family member, student or colleague who has Tourettes it’s a must-read.…

Yesterday the organisation I work for had its Annual General Meeting (AGM). Like all AGMs there was all the formal business to get through, but there was also a much more relaxed and celebratory element too. We had delicious food and a treasure hunt all round the adventure playground.…

We’re five days into December and Christmas is just around the corner. I thought now might be a good time to remind everyone of last year’s fantastic festive animation. Please do share this with anyone you think needs their day brightened by Captain Bin – among others.…

Over the last few weeks I’ve been experiencing a strange new phenomenon, which I’m calling Sophie Fits.

During almost all my recent ‘ticcing fits’ I’ve talked about Sophie, both my old friend (and former support worker) Sophie who recently moved to Cuba, and more bizarrely Sophie Dahl former model and granddaughter of the well known children’s writer Roald.…

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day set up and championed by the United Nations since 1992 to celebrate disabled people’s achievements across the world. But if you’re a disabled person in this country you might not feel like celebrating because so many of us are losing vital benefits, being pushed into debt, and having our independence and quality of life eroded by the policies of the current government.…

Yesterday I wrote about the arrival of a new piggy, bringing my collection up to eight. I keep these colourful, squeaky pigs on display in my living room.

I love the pigs but find them extremely over-stimulating. They make me instantly and inexplicably excited and my tics overreact wildly.…