Life's a Twitch - Dr. B. Duncan McKinlay (Accolades

September 15, 1999. One is a surgeon, who teaches in a medical school in Arizona. The other is a budding psychologist, who is working on his doctorate degree.

Dr. Mort Doran and Duncan McKinlay are two totally different individuals, but share a common bond and illness -- Tourette Syndrome (TS).

Last Saturday, at the Best Western Hidden Valley Resort, the two men spoke on this little known disease in a seminar sponsored by the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

Titled "Living In Disorder", Doran and McKinlay offered insight and encouragement to a group of 76 people made up of teachers, parents, and victims of Tourette Syndrome.

"The main reason for this seminar is to get a support group started in this area," said organizer Ann Stephenson, who, along with her daughter, suffers from Tourette Syndrome. "We want to help people who are afflicted with TS as well as educating the public to cope with victims of this disease."

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological or neurochemical disorder characterized by tics - involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly at irregular intervals. Eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, yelping and throat clearing are some of the common characteristics of TS. There is currently no cure for the disease.

"TS is a legitimate disorder like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease", said Doran. "There are both positive and negative aspects of TS. On the good side, especially in children, there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, creativity and imagination. If only we can encourage kids to get past their disorder, they can achieve just about anything they want."

Doran, who twitches, shakes and touches his knees, was 37 years old by the time he discovered (through a radio show) that he had TS. He was already a surgeon, and learned to compensate for his twitching habits.

"Every time I felt one of my tics coming on, I would back off my surgery, do my twitch, and then resume again," said Doran. "Naturally it was disconcerting for the patient and medical staff."

Uttering a high pitch bark, frequent eye blinking, neck cracking and head twitches during his lecture, McKinlay spoke directly to TS victims and their families offering practical advice and words of hope.

"When I was growing up, I thought I was a freak, and at one time, I tried to kill myself," said McKinlay. "It wasn't until I was 19 years old (McKinlay is 25) when I read an Ann Landers column about TS, that I understood my problem. It was a major breakthrough in my life and the beginning of a new Duncan."

As a result of his enlightenment, McKinlay pursued psychology in school to learn more about TS and to help others cope with the disease.

"Education is the key for both victim and society," said McKinlay. "My message to parents with children afflicted with TS is that life is not over and there are things that can be done. TS doesn't have to hold anyone back. It's like the analogy of an oyster. From silt and salt can bring a pearl of beauty. All it takes is the right attitude and inner strength, and you will succeed."

Although there is medication to help control TS, both Doran and McKinlay are concerned that it might inhibit positive aspects of the disease.

"Parents want quick fixes and if you try to suppress one thing, you're going to give up something else, such as enthusiasm," said Doran. "Management of the disease and channeling tics to more subtle and appropriate times is important."

It is estimated that there are about 10 people in Huntsville with TS. The statistics vary from 1 in 2000 to 1 in every 100 people.

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