Imagine living with a condition that makes you roar like a dinosaur in the most unexpected moments. Sharn Davidson doesn’t have to imagine—she’s doing it. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS), a neurological condition marked by involuntary movements and sounds called tics, Sharn’s experience is uniquely her own. But here’s where it gets fascinating: her tics aren’t your typical coughs or sniffles—they’re distinct, roaring sounds she affectionately calls ‘dinosaur noises.’
‘One is high-pitched and screechy, while the other is more like a raptor,’ Sharn explains with a laugh. As a high school teacher and mother of three in Perth, she’s turned these noises into a source of connection rather than embarrassment. Her students and kids don’t just tolerate the sounds—they’ve named them! Meet Kevin and Terry, the dinosaurs that have become part of Sharn’s identity. ‘Kevin’s the loud one, always making his presence known,’ she jokes.
But this lighthearted approach wasn’t always easy. Sharn’s tics worsened dramatically after witnessing a traumatic incident on a freeway at 21. What followed were years of confusion and over 100 tics a day before a doctor finally diagnosed her with Tourette’s. ‘It was a relief to finally have a name for it,’ she admits. And this is the part most people miss: stress, especially in inappropriate situations like classrooms or exams, amplifies her tics. ‘It’s like my body has a mind of its own,’ she says.
Here’s the controversial part: Sharn chooses not to medicate her tics. Instead, she embraces them as a way to teach her students about diversity and acceptance. ‘If I can make my differences fun, others are less likely to see them as a problem,’ she explains. But is this the right approach for everyone? Sharn acknowledges her Tourette’s is mild, but her openness has inspired students with similar diagnoses. ‘They see that it’s not something to hide,’ she says. Her dinosaurs even have a permanent place in her life—literally, as tattoos on her arms.
Sharn’s story challenges us to rethink how we view differences. Are tics something to suppress, or can they be a tool for connection? Let’s discuss—what do you think? Is embracing quirks like Sharn’s the key to fostering inclusivity, or does it risk normalizing behaviors that might distract others? Share your thoughts below!
