FU-FU-FU-FRANK!: One man’s struggle with Tourette Syndrome

by Frank Bonifas

Growing up when your body and mind insist on performing things that are far from normal must be like a hell on earth. Frank developed Tourette Syndrome before the disease was recognized as a physiological ailment, and eventually inherited all of its complications. After many admissions to hospitals where he was treated as a psych patient, he was finally admitted to New York Hospital and diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Some victims of TS have very mild symptoms, such as an occasional twitch, eye blinking, or throat clearing. Frank's severe tics in the form of loud barking noises, body twitches, picking at his skin, or poking others, plus ADHD, OCD, coprolalia (constantly using obscene language ), echolalia (repeating sentences and words over and over), all led to a life filled with experiences that most of us could not imagine. Through this book he has relived some of those events, and explains that he would probably have committed suicide if he had not believed such an action would condemn him to hell for all eternity. You will laugh and cry as you read his story, and obtain a better understanding of Tourette Syndrome or anyone afflicted with similar disorders.

196 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2010

Reviews

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in the same small town as Frank and we were in high school together. While I knew life was extremely difficult for him, I had no idea of the hell he went through until I read his book. I would recommend this to EVERYONE. It's a short, easy read and reveals what ignorance and down right cruelty can do to a person. But more than that, it demonstrates what commitment can do. Frank is an amazing person and his book is a testimony to the faith he has and the people who have believed in him over the years. It deserves a five star rating.