Here I Am!

If you were to drive by my house, slow down to see in the window, what would you see? Would you see four of my kids with their friends running up and down the stairs I'm certain drives my neighbor batty? Would you see parents who have the most soul-bonding love one has ever only dreamt of hugging after being reunited after a long day at work? A picture-perfect family in a fantastic community is for sure what a billboard would suggest.

In reality what you see is four of my kids for sure running around and most definitely driving the neighbors crazy. You would see a mom crying on the shoulder of the man she loves so much in dire need to understand why her son is having such a bad day when yesterday was picture perfect. Tears running down her face are a daily occurrence, as is the stroke of gentle hands from the man she loves assuring her its going to be ok, he's here to protect us.

I am this mother, whose precious son has been diagnosed with Tourette's at the young age of four. I am the fiancee to this man who has also battled Tourette's since he was diagnosed at the age of 8.

It's still amazing our story. Just a month ago I was at Pretty in Pink breast cancer research fundraiser at Cobblestone Bakery and met some of the most amazing people. Through Jen and Jillian, I met Debbie and Ron; together we were talking about rare diseases. Katie is a young woman , which in layman's terms means she has too much cerebral fluid in her head and experiences extreme headaches.

And then at this vulnerable moment Jen brings up how rare it is that Logan was diagnosed with Tourette's so young.  Debbie tells me of a manager at Anytime Fitness has a son with Tourette's. Here came what I have so desperately wanted... another mom to take my hand and understand. I meet with her and it's a hour long crying session.  Deb suggests that I speak with her son and he may be able to give me insight on how it is on the other end.

Bill Larson. We speak, we meet, we fall in love the minute we saw each other. All I wanted was someone to help me educate, give a better understanding of what these kids go through, prevent bullying, and maybe save a life of someone who feels they have no one who gets them. Bill shared the same dream. Bill was that child growing up.

Wednesday was one of the hardest days I have had to date with Logan. At the store he was having difficulty walking and talking. My heart broke every second of that long Wednesday.

I told Bill: "I trust you, but I don't like what you're saying. I hate that he's having such a hard day. He can't even talk."

"Baby, this is how it is, one day, he wont tic and the next day he will have a whole new set of tics."

I have known for 2 years Logan has Tourette's, officially 3 months, it has been 24 hours that the true reality of it all kicked in.

My name is Brooke. My son is Logan. I am the mother to a precious who happens to have Tourette's.