Meet Sharn Davidson: A life shaped by Tourette syndrome
Sharn Davidson lives with Tourette syndrome (TS), a neurological condition that causes involuntary movements and vocalisations known as tics. For most of her life, Sharn has navigated the everyday realities of TS—the unpredictability of tics, the moments of misunderstanding, and the opportunity to educate others about what it means to live with a difference. Her journey highlights not only the challenges that come with TS but also the unique ways individuals can harness their experiences to foster curiosity, inclusion, and resilience.
Turning a challenge into a teaching tool
What makes Sharn’s story compelling is how she reframes her experiences into something accessible and engaging. Rather than shy away from the curiosity about tics, she invites people to lean in and learn. The approach is practical and memorable: use stories, demonstrations, and visuals to explain how Tourette syndrome feels and why it manifests differently from person to person.
The power of metaphor: dinosaurs as a bridge to understanding
Sharn has embraced a playful yet powerful metaphor: dinosaurs. Dinosaurs, with their size, variety, and sometimes dramatic behavior, become a relatable lens through which audiences can discuss neurodiversity. By pairing tic experiences with dinosaur-themed activities, she helps others visualize the intensity and rhythm of tics without reducing TS to a single stereotype. The result is a learning experience that is both informative and memorable for classrooms, community groups, and public talks.
Why dinosaurs work as an educational tool
Using dinosaurs offers several benefits. First, it provides a non-threatening framework that lowers resistance to discussing a medical condition. Second, it taps into universal curiosity about prehistory, giving learners a reason to pay close attention and ask questions. Third, the dinosaur motif supports inclusive language—emphasizing differences as a natural part of the living world, rather than anomalies to be fixed.
Building empathy through shared curiosity
Beyond explanations of symptoms, Sharn’s work emphasizes everyday empathy. She encourages listeners to consider what it feels like to experience tics and to recognize that people with TS are more than their symptoms. The goal is not to spectacleise TS; it is to humanize it, to remind audiences that diversity enriches communities and that curiosity can transform fear into understanding.
Impact in schools and communities
Sharn’s dinosaur-forward approach has relevance in schools, workplaces, and public forums. For educators, it offers ready-made activities that align with inclusive education standards and health education curricula. For employers and colleagues, it presents a practical framework for accommodating differences, fostering respectful dialogue, and reducing stigma. The overarching message is clear: differences are part of the human experience, and with the right information and compassion, people with Tourette syndrome can participate fully in all aspects of life.
What learning looks like in practice
In practice, Sharn’s presentations combine storytelling with interactive demonstrations. Participants might observe a simulated tic-like movement (performed safely and respectfully) and then discuss triggers, coping strategies, and the importance of patience and understanding in social spaces. By anchoring these discussions in the familiar world of dinosaurs, she creates a memorable, low-pressure environment where learners can engage openly and ask questions they might avoid in other settings.
Moving forward: inclusivity, education, and action
Sharn’s work with dinosaurs to educate about differences is more than a novelty; it’s part of a broader movement toward inclusive education and disability awareness. By sharing her voice, she challenges myths about TS and demonstrates that advocacy can be creative, accessible, and deeply human. Communities that embrace such approaches stand to benefit from richer dialogue, fewer misconceptions, and stronger support networks for people living with Tourette syndrome.
Takeaway
Sharn Davidson’s journey shows that living with Tourette syndrome can be a catalyst for positive change. Through the imaginative use of dinosaurs, she transforms curiosity into learning, empathy, and action—building a more inclusive world where differences are celebrated rather than stigmatized.
