"No Way Out”: Facing Adult-Onset Tourettes and Finding Self-Acceptance

CW: This episode contains offensive language which is involuntary aspects of Tourettes, as well as discussions of mental health and suicide.After a seizure and a brain tumour in 2019, Luke Manton was diagnosed with adult-onset Tourette Syndrome- plunging him into a turbulent period of unemployment, stigma, and mental health challenges.After being fired and rejected by countless employers, Luke chose to rewrite the narrative, launching his own successful neurodivergent-led business.In this chat with Ben, Luke speaks about the power of self-acceptance, why he’s campaigning to change outdated diagnostic criteria for Tourette’s and the often-misunderstood causes of adult-onset tics. He also opens-up about navigating adoption and the care system as a neurodivergent parent._____00:00 Introduction1:55 Life Before Tourettes & The Journey to Diagnosis6:41 “I Left Hospital and My Voice Did Not Come Back”10:59 Luke’s First Vocal Tic of Many: “The Doctors Had No Idea What It Was”13:00 What is Adult Onset Tourettes?15:58 The Power of Singing & Tourettes17:36 Mental Health VS Tourettes26:21 Tourettes Diagnosis: The Timeline31:10 Vocal Tics: What Do They Feel Like?33:17 Tourettes VS Being a Dad37:22 Life: Post Tourettes Diagnosis40:15 What Are Mental Tics?42:18 Representing Tourettes: The Reality of Self Acceptance48:23 Luke’s Green Light Badge__________________On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.Host: Ben BransonHead of Production: Bella NealeAssistant Producer: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergBrought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348__________________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcastBen Branson @seedlip_benLuke Manton @lukemanton92If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.