Tourette's And Me | Close Up

This documentary project started as a short television story about a summer camp for kids with Tourette's syndrome. That's where I met Zack Lamb. In case you don't know – a tic is an electrical misfire in the brain ... a wrong signal that hijacks your muscles or your voice. Many tics are no worse than the hiccups. But when I met him, Zack Lamb’s tics were destroying his life. And threatening to kill the people he loved most in the world.

After that I stayed with Zack – while he was put into a medically induced coma to stop his legs from kicking uncontrollably. And I was there the day he asked a pretty girl ‘will you be my girlfriend?’ by writing the question on a BASEBALL … and when she said ‘yes.’

I drove to the hospital with him the day of the experimental neurosurgery that would stab a lightning rod into Zack’s brain – and leave it there.

Throughout all of that I kept noticing that Zack knew things that I didn’t know. Important things. The kind of things that Helen Keller knew; that Viktor Frankl knew. About where to find hope – where I would only find hopelessness. About love – even in the face of violence.

Zack is one of those few people who write fresh pages in our shared survival guide. Who struggle on up ahead of us — and then come back — and hand us a map that leads us straight to the very best in ourselves.

People will sometimes say “never meet your heroes in real life”. But I am deeply grateful I met mine.

A film by: Aaron Lewis and Aaron Thomas

Producer: Vicky Strobl

Sound Mix: Jordan Moser

Composer: Vicki Hansen

Editors: Aaron Thomas and Andrew Phillips

Executive Producer: Andrew Phillips

Thanks to Camp Twitch and Shout and the Lamb family

[mud]

I'm just blown away, what a beautifully caring and supportive family. I wish them all the best in the future, and to you as well Mr. Cameraman and author, you managed to create something really special here and your work conveyed such emotion throughout this process. I'm incredibly happy that the surgery went well and I hope that Zack is able to make more friends and find his happiness! :*)

[tired_mom]

I really appreciate this channel. Big blessings to Zach and his family. This was an incredible story.

[alexiscardenas]

I always watch Zack’s story when I need inspiration to keep living. He is so incredibly immaculate.

[jackierojas]

I've been crying while watching this. I'm so happy for you Zach and such a wonderful and supportive family. He is blessed!

[guchogu]

This was not only a great piece itself, it was also a great piece when it comes to your role as an artist/journalist. This is a great very touching storytelling and professional work.

[Volbeatgirl]

Im so happy i saw this story! Incredible young man, with so much strength and willpower! Wish Zack and his family all the best and a wonderful future!

[paigepatrick]

What an incredible story. Incredible family. The dad spoke about love getting them through it. Then I heard him praying at the dinner table. God got them through it.

[EgbertWilliams]

Good news is always welcome. Seeing this young man get some he so richly deserved was wonderful.

[ElectricSpokes]

Omg. I cried when he was doing so much better. 😭 that doctor enacted a miracle.

[dibrentley]

It was so good to see Zack smiling. You are a very brave person Zack, I really hope your life is full of good times, love and happiness. Your family are amazing, being a mum myself I can appreciate her bravery at seeing her son in such pain and getting through that with you. All the best!

[DylanF]

Yup, this one made me cry despite being an abridged version of the story. I see so much of myself in Zack in how the Tourette's affects him. I'm nowhere on his level but I have tics where I injure myself; I punch myself in the head a lot and I have tic attacks. I take medication which doe nothing for it but what I am hoping will be a game changer is the wearable that Nottingham University is developing which is something that'll be DBS nearly obsolete for us. That's the dream.

[diasdhiyahanan]

im crying, im proud of him, im happy for him and his family, hope God gives him and his family lots of love and happiness

[sylviadomerese]

What a work of art.
Beautifully done.
Bravo

[mattsny]

Your an absolute legend man!
I have huge respect towards you and your family!

[carpo]

This was so good. Definitely made me cry

[steam_jane]

so strong to go through this and also to still have hope and positivity, yeah as is obvious this sucks and is so horrible and hard when he is hurting him selves and others and it's relentless and you can see he doesn't want to do it. It was so good to see at the end that it helped in those ways and not having a violent tic for 6 months is so good, I'm happy for them. How is he now?, I hope that he and family are still able to get even a little relief.

[annialopez]

I am so happy Zach is better, thank you for sharing 😍

[chantalsscaleisafibber]

I saw a video about this lovely young man when he was about to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery and he had to be put into a medically induced coma because he was ticking so much and he couldn't lay still and was physically and mentally exhausted. Great to get an update on the family.

[FaeryTell]

What a great young boy! 🤍 I hope he will find relief soon. God bless him and his great supportive family 🥺❤️

[zaih]

Yap ...LOVE..made stronger and tighten the family...God bless you and your family.