Australian woman with one of the world's worst cases of Tourette's that causes her to violently lash out at her family now works as a public speaker

  • Bianca Saez has one of the world's worst known cases of Tourette's syndrome
  • She found a new lease on life after finding a job at a training and skills company
  • Ms Saez now does public speaking for Designer Life and captivates audiences 

By Adam Mccleery For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A young woman with one of the world's most severe cases of Tourette syndrome has used her life experiences to help others as an inspiration public speaker. 

Queensland woman Bianca Saez, 27, first spoke out about her condition 10 years ago, saying she was unable to live a normal life.

She said her life consisted of staying at home, eating food and physically striking herself and her loved ones.

Now, Ms Saez has found a partner, has taken better control of her condition, and now has the 'icing on the cake' - a job as a public speaker advising other people how to find employment. 

'It's improved my mental health, my motivation, it's just improved my whole life,' she told Nine News.  

Queensland woman Bianca Saez (pictured) hasn't let her condition, one of the world's worst cases of Tourette's syndrome, stop her from achieving her dream of finding a fulfilling job

Queensland woman Bianca Saez (pictured) hasn't let her condition, one of the world's worst cases of Tourette's syndrome, stop her from achieving her dream of finding a fulfilling job

Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts contacted Ms Saez after seeing her story on television. 

She said when Ms Seaz enters a room to speak to other people on the job-seeking path they are 'captivated' by her energy and her story.

'I talk about all the barriers I've been through, how I was able to overcome them and was able to get a job,' Ms Saez said. 

'I went from just laying on my couch, eating, sleeping, that was all my days would ever be.'

Her condition causes her to scream unintentionally, to lash out at her loved ones with uncontrollable slaps and punching and scratching herself.

It got so bad when she was 16-years-old she had to spend time in a mental health unit which devastated her and her family.  

In 2008, Bianca underwent extreme radical brain stimulation surgery, the first of its kind in Australia, which was meant to reset her brain cells to stop her from hitting herself.

Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts reached out to Ms Saez (pictured together) and gave her a job at the training agency where she gives speeches to trainees and job seekers

Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts reached out to Ms Saez (pictured together) and gave her a job at the training agency where she gives speeches to trainees and job seekers

In 2008, Bianca underwent a world first radical brain surgery to try and limit the severity of her Tourette's syndrome which she sadi made her 'so grateful'

In 2008, Bianca underwent a world first radical brain surgery to try and limit the severity of her Tourette's syndrome which she sadi made her 'so grateful'

'I'm so grateful for this,' Bianca told 60 Minutes host Tara Brown at the time.

'I can't believe how much I'm grateful for having this operation because it's changed my whole entire life and I'm so proud of myself for doing it.

'If I wasn't resilient I don't think I would be here right now. I don't think I'd be here at all.'

Now living independently, Bianca says she feels more mature and is happy to be able to do the things she couldn't do before. 

'It's a very hard illness to live with but I have mastered it,' she said. 

Bianca has launched a YouTube channel to educate her followers and the community about Tourette's. 

What is Tourette syndrome? 

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neuro developmental disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements (motor tics) and uncontrollable sounds (vocal or phonic tics).

Symptoms range from very mild to quite severe and the majority of cases also have other co-morbid conditions with significant impact on their lives. 

The first symptoms of TS are usually facial tics – commonly eye blinking. 

Other motor tics may appear later, such as head jerking, neck stretching, foot stamping, or body twisting and bending.

It is not uncommon for a person with TS to continuously clear his or her throat, cough, sniff, grunt, yelp, bark, or shout. 

A person with TS may touch other people excessively or repeat actions obsessively and unnecessarily. 

A few patients with TS demonstrate self-harming behaviours such as lip and cheek biting and head banging. 

Similarly, involuntary swearing (coprolalia) can occur in a subgroup of people with TS. 

                                                                                       Source: Brain Foundation Australia 

 

 

 

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Australian woman with Tourette's that sees her violently lash out now works as a public speaker

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