Today was the last day of Shambala Festival 2013. Shambala’s a creative, family-friendly festival that takes place near Market Harborough, and for the last three days it’s been my home.

Although this is only the second year I’ve been I feel I know it well.…

Last week at work I had a ‘ticcing fit’. It started suddenly in the middle of a big group activity with loads of children around. My support worker Hannah and my colleagues were quick to respond. Fran, who’s previously provided me with a lot of support, was working that day and she came to help manage the fit.…

It’s Saturday morning (although only just). I’m lying awake a little after midnight and I’m surrounded by much more noise than normal. There’s rain relentlessly beating down outside and I can hear the high-pitched squeal of water sloshing over gutters. The rhythmic sound of the rain is punctuated periodically by groans of thunder.…

I’ve just woken up, and sitting at the end of my bed is a large gold pig – the much anticipated ‘Mystery Piggy’. I can hear Ruth pottering about in the living room, her familiar tics ringing through the castle.

Outside my bedroom window the usual view of the garden and lamp-post is brightened by coloured bunting fluttering lazily in the breeze.…

It’s my birthday on Sunday, so on Saturday I’m celebrating with a party at the castle. Poppy and I were talking about it last night and she asked who was coming. My tics responded by revealing this rather unusual guest list:

“All the Romans”
“Chopin”
“The dog from Beethoven”
“Carol Vorderman”
“Some 19th century Egyptian monks”
“The little dog from The Mask”
“A catnip salesman from Istanbul”

In addition I explained that

“I’ve invited some lamp-posts as well.”…

It’s my pleasure to introduce another wonderful guest blog. Today, seventeen-year-old Joe shares his account of Saturday’s Ticnic. Over to you, Joe.

Great, I’ve been given the opportunity to add a bit to the wonderful Touretteshero blog, so here goes! Headphones in?…

As soon as Leftwing Idiot arrived at the castle this morning so we could travel into work together, my tics announced, “Poppy woke me up at 6am to talk about penguins.”

This of course wasn’t strictly true. What actually happened was that I had a ‘ticcing fit’ and Poppy, who was providing my overnight support, came to help me.…

I’ve just got back from visiting Poppy in her lovely new house. She made a delicious dinner and while it was cooking we sat and chatted with her new housemates in their cosy kitchen.

As usual my tics were mostly about hedgehogs and biscuits, but they suddenly turned their attention to the plant that was sitting on the table.…

Poppy was back at the castle this evening for her weekly turn as my overnight support worker. Shortly before we headed to our beds I had a “ticcing fit.” As is often the case I lost my speech, but this time not completely.…

I’ve described many times how even the slightest emotion can trigger an entirely disproportionate reaction in my body. This happens when I’m happy and excited, during films for example, or even when I simply roll my r’s. The reaction is instant and uncontrollable and can lead me to throw myself across the room, bite my arm, and screech.…