Fife Group
The next meeting is on Wednesday 15th February 2012 at the Dell Farquharson Centre in Dunfermline, from 7pm to 9pm. There will be a speaker at the meeting, Judy Barrow, from Tourette Scotland, to talk about updates on benefits. The usual warm welcome and support for Fife members.
Four further dates have been confirmed for meetings, taking us up to the summer: They are as follows:
21st March
18th April
16th May
20th June
The group have a number of exciting activities also lined up, including bag packing and a sponsored fun walk. For more information, or you wish to attend any of the meetings please call 01738 646742 or email info@tourettescotland.org
Abbie Steggles recently ran across the Forth Road Bridge, raising £100, accompanied by Caitlin and Paul. Well done to all, and thank you.
The co-ordinators of the Fife group are Michelle Ross and Barbara McGrouther. They have organised a number of outings for the group and also very successful fundraising events. Phone 01738 646742 if you want to know more about the group.
Article from Dunfermline Press
Track helps Tourette's schoolgirl turn her tics into triumph
A Dunfermline schoolgirl has turned her tics into triumph - thanks to the track.
At eight, Abbie Steggles (11), started showing signs of Tourette's Syndrome, which causes her to have involuntary vocal tics such as being abusive, squealing and making animal sounds.
A diagnosis is 2010 came as a double blow to parents Michelle and Stevie, as Abbie's older brother, Robbie, now 14, also has the condition, which is manifested in facial tics.
Due to Tourette's, Abbie - who also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and moderate hearing loss - has been mistaken as an abusive or rude 'naughty child'.
But she's now found the one thing that helps keep her calm and focused: running.
The Primary 7 pupil is in Pitreavie Primary School's running group and on Sunday ran across the Forth Road Bridge to raise £200 for the school and the Fife Tourette's Group.
Mum Michelle said "When she was diagnosed, it came as a surprise, although Robbie had it.
"We noticed she starting having the same traits, she started shouting, and ADHD showed up.
"Robbie can keep his in, because he's slightly older, but Abbie is still young.
"It waxes and wanes; you get really quiet periods and it resurfaces.
"She can be abusive, quite excitable, aggressive and shout out random words.
"She can get up in the morning and can be screaming and can have meltdowns at school.
"She also has thought tics, which are horrible - basically her brain is in over-drive and she could be thinking negative thoughts and worrying about things that are never going to happen."
But for the past two years, Abbie's found an outlet through running and trains a total of four times a week.
She runs with her school group and the Fife Athletic Club, which she joined seven months ago, and especially enjoys cross-country.
Michelle said, "We were trying to find things that would get her out.
"We knew it would be good to get her something to focus on and she always wanted to run. It's really made a difference. If she doesn't run, she gets really distressed and angry.
"When she runs, she's relaxed and doesn't have a tic. When she comes off the track, she'll tic."
Michelle underlined that Tourette's isn't a 'swearing disorder', saying, "Many people think it is but everybody's tics are different. Abbie does swear but Robbie doesn't.
"She likes to touch things but it's just a tic. You can tell her not to do it but she will, it's a compulsion."
Michelle admitted Abbie has said some "really embarrassing things" but most people have been understanding once she explains Abbie has Tourette's or shows their Tourette Scotland card.
She said, "Abbie knows she has Tourette's and sometimes she's not even aware she's doing it. It comes out before she can control it.
"She's been in the Kingsgate and shouted, 'Bomb!' and she's been in Asda and yelled, 'I'm a shoplifter! And she's told people, 'You're fat!'
"People have confronted us - 'She shouldn't get away with that, that's disgusting' - but I don't rise up to it.
"The worst one was on a train, there was a black family and she was very abusive.
"We've had to deal with people's prejudices - people don't know how to take it because she looks and acts normal."
Yet Abbie's schoolmates have taken it all in their stride - she does swear in class but Michelle said they've learned about Tourette's, accept her and 'don't make a big deal of it'.
Abbie has also made many friends through running and Sunday's run will buy new tops for the school's running group.
"Michelle smiled, "When the group runs they have to wear football tops.
"She wants to be an audiologist because of her hearing loss and she wants to help people.
"She's fabulous and caring and we're so thankful that we found an outlet for her."
How about this for a nice photo! Abbie and Robbie were recently interviewed by Bryan Burnett for Radio Scotland's Children in Need show. They had a great time and Abbie was interviewed whilst doing her favourite thing - running - keep up Bryan!
To listen to the interview click here
We are always pleased to support Children in Need, who have funded us so well over the years. Because of them we have been able to have camps and numerous activities to bring children and families with TS together.