Renee Harvey support for Recovery from Brain Surgery for Tourette's

Hi, my name is Renee Harvey, I am a 25 year old single mother of a seven year old boy. I have had severe Tourette Syndrome since the age of 10, with strong vocal and physical tics that I can't control. It has had a debilitating effect on my life. I cannot work or manage my life without the help of many caring people.

I have tried many different medications and therapies, and none of them have worked. My doctors thought that Sativex would help me. But unfortunately, after paying for the script, and trying Sativex for some time, it has not worked to reduce my tics or chronic pain. I really appreciate all those who helped me to pay for this expensive medication.

Now I am on a new journey, I have become the first person in New Zealand with Tourette's to have Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery, performed at Auckland Hospital on the 8th of August. Two electrodes were implanted into my brain. Then I have a second operation on the 29th August to insert a battery and pacemaker. This is not a “cure” for Tourette’s but, if it all goes according to plan, this will decrease my tics dramatically and help me to live a more normal life. Hopefuly I will eventually be able to work in a part-time job.

I have some local support, but my elderly grandparents live more than 3 hours drive away in Westport. And while my surgery is fully funded, I will incur ongoing costs during my recovery period, for extra accommodation for family members in Auckland, and for extra child care once y DBS pacemaker is being fine tuned, which may take several weeks. Later I hope for some vocational training to get me into working.

Any help, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.