Brogan experiences a wide range of severe motor and vocal tics that have progressively worsened over time. These include eye movements, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, neck jerks, full arm and leg movements, back arching, and muscles tightening in his chest which sometimes makes him feel like his heart is stopping. He can also throw items, kick, punch outwards, headbutt, and slap himself during tic episodes.

Alongside the physical tics, Brogan also has vocal and writing tics. These include noises, random words, full sentences, inappropriate vocal tics, name calling, grunting, barking, and in the last few weeks he has also developed swearing tics.

At school, Brogan does everything he can to suppress his tics because he is scared of being laughed at or bullied. Unfortunately, suppressing them all day is taking a huge toll on his body. By the time he gets home he is often extremely unwell — suffering from violent headaches, body aches, exhaustion to the point of falling asleep before 5pm, clumsiness, and becoming increasingly forgetful.

For the last three years we have been trying to get Brogan a Neurodevelopmental (ND) referral through ND SPACE, but we have been stuck in a cycle of miscommunication. SPACE have said they are missing information from school, while school say they have already sent everything required. Despite our efforts, this has meant Brogan has still not been referred.

Even if a referral was secured now, we have been told the waiting time to see a neurologist could be another 18 months. Meanwhile, Brogan’s tics continue to worsen, and his motor tics are becoming more violent and painful, causing him significant discomfort and distress.

We have visited our local GP multiple times, but each time we are advised that Brogan’s tics are beyond what they can help with and that we must continue trying through the school referral route with ND SPACE. After three years of trying without success, we feel we have reached a point where the only way to get Brogan the help he desperately needs is to seek a private diagnosis and specialist support.

Alongside this, we are hoping to raise funds for a Neupulse device. This is a wearable self-management treatment designed to help reduce tics and improve quality of life for people living with Tourette’s. Having access to this device could make a life-changing difference for Brogan, helping him manage his symptoms and live with less pain and fear.

Any donations, no matter how small, would mean the world to us as a family and would help us move closer to getting Brogan the support and treatment he truly needs.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Brogan’s story and for any support you are able to give.