Summary: Josh has Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable tics and involuntary verbal outbursts. "It feels like there's a big balloon inside my stomach. And the balloon keeps growing bigger and bigger, like every second extra the tic stays inside it feels like somebody blows up the balloon another notch, until I let it out."
This story is part of the Teenage Diaries series produced by Radio Diaries for NPR
Painfully honest poke inside the head of a kid, clearly soon to be an adult, with Tourettes. All the typical teenage stuff is there: angst, depression, insecurity masked with anger. But the noises and expletives make the difficulties somewhat harder to shrug off as merely "awkward years".
Awkward is what it must be for all involved in the production of this item, as Tourettes provokes particularly difficult situations in our society.
It's no different here except that, instead of tuning Josh out like you would on the street, you'll want to listen more to his vulnerability through the safe filter of your radio.
First rate piece by the maestro of the audio diary form. It contains many memorable moments including what has to be a first for radio: the sound of a Tourette tic unleashed after being stifled all day at school. This piece achieves what Joe Richman's other diary pieces do -- documenting the life of a teenager, in this case, one who lives with a neurological distoder, in his own words, surrounded by the sounds of his life. It's a moving, funny and arresting portrait of a wonderful kid. Run as a series, the Teenage Diaries would be a very special treat for listeners this summer or perhaps for back to school.
Comments for Josh's Diary, Part 1: Growing Up with Tourette's
This piece belongs to the series "Teenage Diaries"
Produced by Joe Richman/Radio Diaries and Joe Richman
Other pieces by Radio Diaries
Rating Summary
2 comments
Jonathan Groubert
Posted on May 07, 2004 at 06:39 AM | Permalink
Review of Josh in New York City: Growing Up with Tourette's
Painfully honest poke inside the head of a kid, clearly soon to be an adult, with Tourettes. All the typical teenage stuff is there: angst, depression, insecurity masked with anger. But the noises and expletives make the difficulties somewhat harder to shrug off as merely "awkward years".
Awkward is what it must be for all involved in the production of this item, as Tourettes provokes particularly difficult situations in our society.
It's no different here except that, instead of tuning Josh out like you would on the street, you'll want to listen more to his vulnerability through the safe filter of your radio.
Mary McGrath
Posted on May 04, 2004 at 08:08 AM | Permalink
Review of Josh in New York City: Growing Up with Tourette's
First rate piece by the maestro of the audio diary form. It contains many memorable moments including what has to be a first for radio: the sound of a Tourette tic unleashed after being stifled all day at school. This piece achieves what Joe Richman's other diary pieces do -- documenting the life of a teenager, in this case, one who lives with a neurological distoder, in his own words, surrounded by the sounds of his life. It's a moving, funny and arresting portrait of a wonderful kid. Run as a series, the Teenage Diaries would be a very special treat for listeners this summer or perhaps for back to school.