James Gerardi

" My name is James Gerardi, and I am a student at Patchogue-Medford high school. I have lived in Medford my entire life. Sports has always been a part of my life. I started Playing football at the age of 5 and lacrosse at 6. I made a lot of friends, and coaches that became like family to me. On my down time I would have my friends sleep over and we would play video games and football outside or lacrosse.

 

I was born with tourette's it is hereditary. My dad and grandfather also have it, unfortunately there is no cure it is a neurological disorder. I always had tics but they were mild. I had blinking, grimacing, ADD, OCD and anxiety. I was put on medication at 5 years old and it helped me for many years. Once I hit teenager years my tics worsened. I started having all these different movements, where my neck and jaw would twist, my whole trunk of my body, arms and legs would jerk. I started rolling my eyes and had a barking noise that I couldn't control. All day long it was debilitating and paralyzing. This affected me going to school, playing sports and all other life activities, I felt helpless. My mom researched tourettes and the last alternative is DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) surgery, but it is not FDA approved so not many doctors will do it. This took a bit to get, I had an eight hour surgery. I now have 2 pace makers battery operated in my chest and wires going my brain that sends vibration to different areas to make the movements lessen or even stop. I still take meds to help. It takes a long time for this to work because the stimulation is started on a low setting and every month will be-set higher, with tourette's there is no way to target the movements cause it goes to different areas of the body and changes at times. It took a couple of years to feel better and in the beginning I bit my tongue constantly and how am missing a piece of it. I was very depressed as this went on after my surgery for 2 months and I bleed so much I became anemic and couldn't breathe or walk and had to use a wheel chair anywhere I went. I was in severe pain and lost alot of weight, cause I couldn't eat. I weighed 140 pounds it felt like I was never going to get better.

 

I want to thank my medical doctor for coming to my house and caring for me, also my Neurosurgeon, Psychiatrist and DBS doctor who makes the adjustments with the stimulation as needed. I also had a second surgery in December 2023 to replace batteries and wires due to me fiddling with them another 4 hours. I want to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teachers who were supportive to me through the good times and the bad times. I am grateful for everything and hope my future will ever be better emotionally and mentally.

 

Thank you for acknowledging my struggles and choosing me to go under Sean Dixon in the hall of fame. My prayers and thoughts go out to Sean and his family for his strength and fight against cancer. He is a true warrior and I am so blessed to be chosen for this event."

-- James Gerardi