Twitch and Shout: A Touretter's Tale

Taken from the perspective of an author who lives with Tourette's Syndrome, Lowell Handler provides one of the most vivid everyday observances to a most uncontrollable disorder. What most people have little grasp on, Handler often uses humility and humor to set examples of how only one living with this handicap can describe. Tourette's Syndrome is usually spotted early before the age of eighteen, found to impair males more than females (almost three to one). Tourette's creates involuntary movements and tics that usually cannot be controlled by the person. Vocally, inappropriate language and animal sounds is the most common dysfunction towards the disorder's spontaneous combustion. Twitch & Shout gives an inspirational account of a man that survives triumphantly, documenting the good and the bad as an author, photographer and moviemaker, on top of personal and love interest. People with Tourette's lead normal and healthy lives, but the journey sometimes is not. Feeling comfortable means comprehending the diagnoses. Handler evokes a great deal of self into the findings of this book. SIDENOTE Handler filmed a documentary also called Twitch & Shout before the book was published. This can be found at select local libraries on a VHS format. The video shows some different perspectives that the book cannot illustrate. VERY RECOMMENDED.

Twitch and Shout is a fascinating, moving, and informative account of an artistic young man (the author) who confronts his Tourette Syndrome head on, deliberately living at full tilt in defiance of the much misunderstood disorder. Moments of transcendent prose alternate with hilarious and sometimes sad memoir. As an artist and advocate of mastery, I appreciated how the author's challenges shaped his journey, bringing him numerous triumphs, as photographer, author, friend and lover. With objectivity and grace, he discovered that Tourette informed part of who he was, and acted almost as a language or culture, at times a heightened state. I was moved by this perspective, and aspire to its message, that we should not only accept our rough edges, but see them as the parameters of our genius.

Lowell Handler has the courage to come straight into the mainstream about one of the most misunderstood neurological disorders presently known. Mr. Handler was also a consultant on the Tourette themed film, "Niagara, Niagara". His experiences are truthfully and painfully explained. One can only wonder which is better; having partial control over one's bodily movements or none at all. Sensitive and accurate, it is a must read for every doctor, parent, social worker, or anyone in this complicated world. It is explained that people with Tourette are absolutely normal, except for this "neurological malfunction". Once you are familiar with it, you will see how common it is in public. It is then that true empathy comes into perspective. This book will change your outlook on the curiosities life places in our path.

I loved this book for its humor, its pain, and its style. The author is very engaging, but the effect is well beyond entertainment. I picked it up because I like medical or semi-medical fare, but anyone who is artistic, curious, philosophical, and/or brutally honest will relate.

To triumph, even laugh at adversity of this magnitude is heroic. In his case Tourette may well be the launch.