Unravelling Ribbons: Growing Up With Tourette’s, OCD, PANDAS/PANS & More

If you’ve ever been lost in the maze of overlapping neurodivergence and chronic illness, or are the parent of a child who is currently struggling - this is for you.

This memoir is for anyone who has ever felt neglected by the systems that were meant to help them, or who have been made to feel like an outcast for being different. Tourette’s, OCD, PANS, Autism, Lyme - I have many diagnoses to explain my struggles. Although these labels may seem random, they are all linked and part of the same web.

I grew up with severe OCD, complex tics, sensory issues, rages, and emotional difficulties. These symptoms exploded overnight, leaving me unable to dress myself, walk up the stairs in my home, brush my own teeth, or have any quality of life. After seeing countless doctors and therapists, it still took over a decade to get the answers I needed.

In this book, I don’t hold back. Old diary entries from myself and my parents, old symptom lists for my doctors, and raw recollections of medical gaslighting, horrific symptom flares, and experiences with bullying are all included. Things I never thought I’d share are hidden in between the pages, brought to light in the hope that it could help someone else feel less alone.

Despite the difficulties, there are also moments of hope and strength. This is my messy, raw, turbulent, and sometimes entertaining journey with a brain that doesn’t always cooperate and a body fighting to function. My list of conditions may be extensive, but I make the most out of life regardless. Please let this memoir be a waylight for others who are struggling with complex neurodivergence and chronic illness.