Supporting a Sibling with Tourette Syndrome

In this episode of The UpTic, I'm joined by two amazing sisters, Emily and Amanda Muldowney, who open up about what it’s like to navigate life when one sibling lives with Tourette Syndrome—and the other doesn’t. Emily, who has TS, ADHD, and anxiety, shares her journey from struggling to understand her tics to becoming a fierce advocate. Amanda, her older sister, brings a heartwarming and grounded perspective on what it means to support someone you love through all of life’s highs and lows. We explore the strength of sisterhood, the power of humor, and the resilience that comes from facing adversity with someone who truly gets you.

Episode Highlights:

[0:52] Back after a hiatus—why this episode feels extra special
[1:39] Meet Emily and Amanda: sisters with a unique bond
[2:26] Emily’s long road to getting a TS diagnosis
[4:24] How a tough childhood forged an unbreakable sisterly bond
[6:08] The ways Amanda shows up when Emily needs her most
[9:05] Adjusting to life apart when Amanda left for college
[10:53] Why school is tough—and how having a sibling helps
[12:38] Amanda shares what others may not see in Emily's TS journey
[15:00] The balance between strength and vulnerability
[17:42] Amanda on advocating through education
[19:29] Emily’s boldest tics—including movie theater moments
[23:07] Managing co-occurring conditions like ADHD and anxiety
[26:18] Emily: “Tourette’s is my best friend”
[28:17] Discovering who your real friends are
[30:49] Amanda reflects on Emily’s incredible growth
[34:27] Emily’s advice to anyone newly diagnosed with TS

Links & Resources:

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a text

Support the show