“If I’m shaking my head, it’s not because I’m saying no to you. If I roll my eyes, it’s nothing you said. And if I curse, it’s on purpose.”

In this compelling episode of Good Life Stories, host Tracy Crowley engages in a profound conversation with George Nowik about his life with Tourette’s syndrome, exploring the challenges, misconceptions, and evolving societal understanding of neurodiversity. The discussion begins with George’s early experiences, revealing how his condition was initially dismissed as “bad habits” when he was six or seven years old, before receiving a formal diagnosis in sixth grade.

George provides valuable insight into the reality of living with Tourette’s, dispelling common myths and misconceptions. He shares his standard disclaimer to new acquaintances: “If I’m shaking my head, it’s not because I’m saying no to you. If I roll my eyes, it’s nothing you said. And if I curse, it’s on purpose.” He emphasizes that contrary to popular belief, only 5% of people with Tourette’s experience coprolalia (involuntary cursing), while most deal with various vocal and physical tics.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as George discusses his educational experience in the 1980s. He describes a particularly dramatic shift from being identified as gifted in third grade to being labeled “severely mentally damaged” by fourth grade – a stark illustration of how poorly understood neurological conditions were at the time. The discussion includes candid reflections on the limited treatment options available then, including his experience with Haldol medication and its zombie-like side effects.

“We have medical technology that is available to us now, both in the physical and mental arena that didn’t exist 20 years ago. So kids like me are going to have a much better chance of getting through it.”

Throughout the episode, George and Tracy explore the evolution of societal understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. They discuss how the approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals has transformed from the “don’t talk about it” mentality of the 1980s to today’s more open and supportive environment. George shares both challenging memories of his school years and hopeful observations about current attitudes, illustrated through a touching story about a recent children’s birthday party where a neurodivergent child’s behavior was naturally accepted by peers.

The conversation also delves into the broader implications of neurodiversity, with George sharing fascinating insights about the unique capabilities and “superpowers” that often accompany neurological differences. He relates a story about a friend’s brother on the autism spectrum who possessed extraordinary mathematical abilities, highlighting how different minds can process information in remarkable ways.

George’s narrative is punctuated with moments of humor and wisdom, demonstrating his resilience and perspective gained through years of navigating life with Tourette’s. His story serves as both a historical record of how far we’ve come in understanding and accepting neurodiversity, and a reminder of the work still needed to create truly inclusive spaces.

“Teachers are very responsible for normalizing behaviors that we once considered unnatural.”

The episode concludes with optimistic reflections on the progress made in educational and social settings, while acknowledging that while children may still be cruel, we now have better tools, vocabulary, and understanding to support neurodivergent individuals. George’s journey from misunderstood child to confident adult offers hope and insight for listeners, whether they’re dealing with similar challenges or seeking to better understand and support others.

About George Nowik

After stumbling from a variety of different jobs over the course of the years, George finally made his way back home permanently to the family business of durable medical equipment at Pacific Medical Systems, Inc. now celebrating its 50th year in business.  

In addition to this, he has been running – we use the term loosely because really, nobody likes cardio – his passion business in the field of audio work that covers voiceover, album mixing, session recording, and a variety of other audio odds and ends.  

When not trying to figure out how to squeeze a few extra hours out of the day, he loves driving his family bonkers in public and in private. 

George’s Links

• Website: https://georgenowik.com
• Website: http://www.pacificmsi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nalrogftw/

About Tracy Crowley

Tracy Crowley has always been an entrepreneur. Whether it was making gowns for fellow Army wives, taking portraits in black and white, or working on her other businesses, she is always learning something new.

That passion for learning something new and giving something back collide nicely in this podcast.

Join Tracy for Good Life Stories, where simple curiosity brings out great stories, every single time.

Check out Tracy’s new book! https://tracycrowley.life/