Meet Dave: The Inspiring Barber with Tourette Syndrome

Most people with Tourette’s would not even consider being a barber—a job  clearly demanding steady hands. Yet, Dave has a loyal client following in Brooklyn at Tomcat’s Barbershop. Customers  come for haircuts, specialty fades or whatever the latest styles are, even razor blade shaves. And his work is described as “meticulous.”

In this YouTube clip, Dave tells us that he was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 23, but he’d had tics for years beforehand. At age 18 he hoped the symptoms would diminish with time, but at 27 assumes that will not be the case. He does a nice job of explaining the sensations that buildup before he has a feeling of relief after ticcing.

Dave doesn’t discuss treatment, conventional or otherwise. And with the cigarette smoking shown in the video, he’s probably not on a toxic-free living and natural-foods track. But his humor, attitude and self acceptance speak for themselves.

What I do defines me, not what I have.

It’s not a terminal illness. It’s just “forever dancing.”

Thank you, Dave, for sharing your life with us. We wish you the best.