Gospel
Singer Battles Tourette's
Shawn
Huhn is a 32 year
old gospel
singer with Tourette's Syndrome. The symptoms of Tourette's
Syndrome are repeated and involuntary movements (tics) and
uncontrollable vocal outbursts. Shawn recently underwent
surgery
to implant a deep brain stimulator, similar to a pacemaker, which has
reduced his symptoms dramatically.
Most everybody
is familiar with the phenomenon of Mel Tillis. Tillis, a well-known
country music singer, is also a severe stutterer. Although he finds it
difficult to carry on a conversation due to his stuttering, Tillis is
able to sing with no problem! When he sings the tendency to stutter
disappears, and he has a smooth delivery that made him a top country
vocalist.
There
is a similar
phenomenon in the gospel music field. Shawn
Huhn, a gospel
singer, has severe Tourette's Syndrome.
Tourettes Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated
and involuntary body movements (tics) and uncontrollable vocal
outbursts.
In the past, Shawn's physical tics were
so severe
that he could not hold his own infant daughter. The involuntary
vocalizations made it difficult for him to carry on a conversation. He
was often embarrassed in church and other gatherings by involuntarily
shouting---sometimes very inappropriate words!
At the age of 18, Shawn felt that God
was calling
him to the ministry. Shawn questioned how anyone with such a
devastating disability could do anything for God. But he followed God's
will, and began singing gospel music.
Like Mel Tillis, Shawn is able to sing
with no
problems. While singing he has none of the manifestations of
Tourette's...no involuntary vocalizations, no physical tics. He has a
strong tenor voice voice that works well with gospel songs. He has
recently recorded an album of gospel music, including the song "I Am
Here," which he wrote himself.
Recently Shawn underwent pioneering
brain surgery,
which has greatly reduced his symptoms. Doctor Donald Richardson of
Tulane University in New Orleans implanted a deep brain stimulator in
Shawn's brain. This device has electrodes that stimulate his brain by
communicating with a device, much like a heart
pacemaker, implanted
under the skin of his chest. The electrodes stimulate the area of his
brain responsible for the tics, effectively shutting off the tics and
vocalizations.
Dr. Richardson
said Shawn is the second person in America to receive the deep brain
stimulator for Tourette's, although such a device has been used for
other neurological conditions.
Now, with the worst of his jerks and
tics
alleviated, Shawn is finally able to attend church and other functions
without fear of embarrassment.
And best of all, he can now hold his 3
year old
daughter, Monica!
