If there is such a Tourette at home, it will be a huge challenge for both parents and the child. However, a Tourette named Brad Cohen (Brad Cohen) used his own experience to prove that Tourette syndrome is not so terrible. He was optimistic by nature, and with the encouragement of his relatives and teachers, he finally overcame all kinds of setbacks and difficulties, and became an elementary school teacher as he wished. You can imagine a person standing on the podium with various strange sounds in his throat. , how much courage and wisdom are needed! And he not only stood on the podium, but also won the 1997 Teacher of the Year Award, set up a Tourette Syndrome Children's Camp, and was invited to the "Oprah Show" (Oprah Show). His autobiographical novel, Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, won the 2006 Independent Publisher of America Award. Independent Publisher Book Awards) for Best Educational Book. The movie Front of the Class is based on this book.
Brad's story seems to prove once again such a theme: dream with symptoms and live with dreams. Brad even sees Tourette as his companion and teacher. On the podium for the best teacher of the year, he said: "I want to thank...but I also want to thank the toughest and most persistent teacher of my life, my companion for many years - Tourette Syndrome. Because One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in life from disability is to never let anything stop you from chasing your dreams, from working, having fun, and falling in love.”
I believe that no child is born with sickness and disability as a good thing friend, good teacher. This should be the result of continuous learning and hard work in constant setbacks and disappointments. So what is the factor that makes this child who keeps making weird expressions on his face, keeps making weird noises in his throat, and twitches his hands and feet from time to time, grows into an excellent teacher?
1. External factors
1. Good object relationship
Speaking of this, I have to mention the role and importance of mothers at one time. "Behind a successful man is often a good woman." In the same way, behind an optimistic and strong child, there is often a loving, strong and optimistic good mother. And Brad's mother is the representative of such a good mother.
Although Brad's parents divorced when Brad was very young (it is not ruled out that his father couldn't stand Brad's strange voice and behavior, and attributed it to his mother's improper upbringing), Brad's mother has always been strong and optimistic, and she runs her own business. A clothing store that supports himself and his two sons, and does everything he can for the growth of the two children. She has never said bad words about her ex-husband in front of her son, and she also actively communicates with her ex-husband when she encounters major problems with her children's upbringing. When the psychiatrist attributed Brad's behavior to family relationships, anxiety and other psychological factors, and there was no substantial progress in the treatment, she took Brad to the library alone to check relevant medical books, and after finding out Brad's "weird behavior" The root cause is Tourette syndrome, and actively communicate with the doctor. When the school teachers didn't understand Brad and criticized the children harshly and indiscriminately, she resolutely took Brad to school. She actively searched for various treatment methods, and took Brad to participate in a self-help group for patients with Tourette syndrome. When she found that the group was not really helping herself, but passively accepting fate, she resolutely took Brad away and told Children "never be defeated by Tourette's". When Brad graduated from college and kept interviewing and being rejected, she motivated Brad with aggressive methods... Such a mother did not spend time complaining about herself and waiting for her death. She was always taking action, and taking her own actions as a countermeasure. The best love for a child. As an adult, Brad has always been very optimistic and positive. Even if he is occasionally discouraged, frustrated and confused, he often has a sunny smile on his face. This is inseparable from the good object relationship he established with his mother in the early days.
After talking about Brad's mother, let's look at his father again. Although in Brad's childhood, his father could not accept Brad's behavior due to lack of relevant medical knowledge, but he is still a qualified father who loves his children. First of all, when he divorced his ex-wife and drove away, there was no quarrel, no anger, just calm warnings to the children. This minimizes the harm of parental divorce to children as much as possible. When he was about to remarry, he also solicited the opinions of the children in a more appropriate way, which fully reflected his concern and respect for the children. After he remarried, his remarried wife also cared for Brad. When Brad failed to find a job, he brought donuts he made to encourage Brad, and worked hard to communicate between father and son. In Brad's long job search, his father and stepmother have always given Brad material (rejected by the independent Brad) and spiritual help: his father took Brad to the construction site and encouraged him to start at the grassroots level; when Brad took the postgraduate exam, When the relevant personnel were unwilling to give Brad the independent room he needed, his father arrived in time and defended his son's due rights with the law; when Brad got his wish as an elementary school teacher, his father took the time to make a cabinet for the elementary school... When he put on the construction helmet that his father wore when he was working in the classroom, I think his heart must be full of admiration and gratitude for his father. In fact, in Brad's body, it is not difficult to see the shadow of his father: stubborn, independent, strong, attention to detail, dedicated... After
watching the film, I can't help but think of the divorced couples I saw. I have a lot of respect for Brad's parents. Although they no longer love each other, they taught Brad brothers how to love, accept, understand and support with their own words and deeds. The love after this "no love" may be broader and deeper, and more humanistic. And love is the best medicine.
2. Social support
Social support is also a factor that I have repeatedly emphasized that has a great influence on the body and mind of individuals. During Brad's upbringing, the various social support he received gave him confidence and strength in the process of overcoming Tourette's.
The first is the social system's various guarantees for the disabled. Under the relatively sound social system in the United States, Brad enjoys the same opportunities for education as other normal people, which enables him to live with the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome, enter elementary school like other children, and with excellent grades from Graduated from university education. One of the scenes that impressed me the most was when Brad went to take the graduate exam and asked for a separate exam room because he was afraid that the strange noise he made would affect other people's normal exams, but was rejected by the invigilator. Desperate Brad called his father, who rushed to the exam room and the problem was quickly resolved. When Brad asked his father how he got it done, his father smiled smugly, "Litigation, Disability Protection Act." It can be seen how important a sound legal system and effective enforcement are to safeguard the individual's right to live and the quality of life!
Next, I would like to highlight that wise primary school principal. In fact, before this principal, Brad had encountered many teachers who did not understand him, and even made judgments and criticisms. When the teacher told Brad to the principal, Brad rushed to explain his Tourette's symptoms. The principal asked him again and again, "Please tell me, what is the purpose of education?" Then at the afternoon concert, the principal showed Brad and the whole school what education is with his actions. In the beautiful melody, Brad's frequent and strange voices seemed so incongruous and harsh. The children gave them side-by-side salutes, and some classmates directly came forward to stop Brad. At the concert, after the music ended, the principal came on stage and asked everyone : Did you hear anything else? The students all looked at Brad, so the principal invited him to the stage. "Why are you making a strange noise?" the principal asked. "Little Brian took the microphone and faced the whole school, making a strange noise and twitching his neck, and said, "I don't like the sound I make as much as everyone else. However, I can't control it, I have Tourette Syndrome. "The principal said: "Then what are you going to do? "There is no cure for this disease... (specifically explaining the causes and symptoms of Tourette's)," said Brian Jr. I want to be the same as everyone. "The principal said, "Well, you are no different from everyone else. "When Brad stepped off the stage, the applause sounded like thunder. Wherever Brad's eyes went, he saw the appreciation, acceptance and encouragement of teachers and students. From that moment, he became confident and happy. And there In a moment, the seeds of my dream were sown - when I grow up, I want to be a great teacher like the principal. So, a good teacher can affect a child's life.
The support of the younger brother as always, the affection of relatives, the friendship of roommates, the care of colleagues, the love of girlfriends... These all constitute the social support for Brad. I would like to mention two details. One was the principal of the school that finally admitted Brad. After carefully inquiring about Brad's educational strategies and plans, the principal and vice-principal asked Brad in a constructive manner how to face his Tourette's syndrome in teaching practice. Brad replied that he would be open and honest with his children, even if the children asked very private questions. The headmaster smiled witty, then said, "I'm asking you a very private question, do you also make this noise when you sleep?" Brad responded with a humorous smile, "I don't know, because I fell asleep— —In fact, I rarely twitch when I sleep.” ——Obviously, the principal was imitating the curious tone of the children and mobilizing Brad's sense of humor. Instead of focusing on Brad's Tourette symptoms, she focused on Brad's overall quality, educational philosophy, and his own resources. Similarly, Brad's girlfriend's attitude towards him. Brad had met a girl in a bar through a roommate, and when it came to Brad's weird noise, the girl said, "It's a much better sound than other guys talking loudly." Although this girl accepted Brad's Tourette's symptoms, this acceptance was based on "the lesser of two evils". In contrast, Brad's girlfriend's words below are more intelligent and warm, "I like that you can make me laugh and make me happy". Similar to the principal who interviewed and admitted Brad, this girl is also looking at Brad with a holistic, resource-oriented perspective, and they can naturally find Brad's bright spots outside of Tourette's symptoms. All these supports are encouraging Brad to dream with symptoms and live with dreams.
2. Internal factors
1. Good internalized objects and good self-image
Whether it was a childhood or a young Brad, the innocent or sunny smile on his face moved me. Undoubtedly, Brad's good object relationship with his mother (and later his father) was well internalized deep within him. Since he was a child, his mother told him to never give up. His father also inherited his dedication and passion for work and career. 24 interviews, 24 schools, 24 failures. Brad also had depression and hesitation, but he was not defeated by this depression and hesitation. Instead, he got up again and again and tried the next step again and again. In the face of doubts from interviewers, colleagues and students' parents, he behaved calmly, openly and sincerely. This optimistic attitude is inseparable from the positive self-image built up by good objects in his heart.
2. Hopes and dreams
Hopes and dreams have always played a role in leading and motivating life. There is a classic line in the film, "Hope is a hard habit to quit." Indeed, when a person has nothing or is in many difficulties, he still has at least one hope, which is to report hope and dreams. Expecting everything and caring for your dreams are the good qualities shared by almost all successful people, and they are also the recurring theme of all inspirational movies. Although it is a commonplace, life itself has been telling us this eternal truth with various stories.
The role of the principal made "becoming a good teacher" a dream that Brad has had since childhood. With hope in his heart, Brad did not confine his attention to his Tourette syndrome, but to his other resources. When he was interviewed for a job as an elementary school teacher, the interviewers almost invariably focused on his Tourette symptoms or challenged him directly. At first Brad would not take the initiative to mention his symptoms or just explain that these symptoms would not affect his future teaching activities. Later, he simply took the initiative to mention his symptoms, discussed with the interviewer, and regarded his symptoms as a resource in teaching, saying that Tourette syndrome was his best teacher. When colleagues challenged him and asked if the strange noise he made would disrupt the classroom order, he replied calmly, "I will answer the children's questions frankly, and tell them that Mr. Cohen is also an ordinary person, who only occasionally makes strange noises. Sound." Brad's acceptance of himself sets a good example for children to realize that each life is unique and worth cherishing and respecting. At the awards ceremony, when Brad talked about what he had learned from his illness, his students scrambled to answer, "learning to move forward", "learning to never let illness get the better of you", "learning not to get caught up in illness" "...It seems that Brad's illness has not only become his own teacher, but also the children's teacher. Diseases, difficulties, challenges... These things can be seen by us as beasts of floods, or as supreme treasures - the key lies in whether there is hope and dreams in our hearts.
3. Mobility
Like Liz in "Harvard Road", Brad's excellent mobility also impressed me. When he was a child, he did not passively accept the difficulties and troubles Tourette syndrome brought to himself. He explained to his teachers and classmates again and again the causes, symptoms and the fact that there was no cure for Tourette syndrome; Sit back and wait for the gift of God, and rewrite your destiny with your own actions time and time again. One unsuccessful interview, do it again, and finally open the door of luck after the 25th interview. For the postgraduate entrance exam, he couldn't finish the exam paper on time because of his symptoms. After preparation, he sprinted toward the master again. After receiving the job admission notice, he did not slack, but arranged teachers himself and worked hard on every detail. When a large truck passed by the school and affected the students' attendance in class, he took advantage of the situation to lead the children out of the classroom to observe the large truck, and encouraged the children to communicate with the truck driver... It is this kind of constant action that makes Brad every time Take small steps, one step at a time, to get closer to your dream.
When I am about to end this article, I would like to quote the famous hypnotist Professor Kelsang Zeren, "The secret of life is between gain and loss. Sitting on the lack of watching life, life will be very dark and difficult. Looking at life, life is full of hope and infinite possibilities." Diseases and difficulties are not terrible, the key is how we look at them. Dream with symptoms and problems, and live with dreams. In Brad's words, "Never let anything stop you from chasing your dreams, from working, having fun, and falling in love."
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