Dr. Mort Doran in the anatomy lab at the Faculty of Medicine. Photo courtesy of the University of Calgary.
Acknowledged for his work as a physician and continued advocacy for the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (TSFC), Dr. Morton Doran is being honoured, as he receives an appointment to the Order of Canada.
A current professor at the University of Calgary, he teaches Anatomy while continuing to promote and raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome through the TSFC located in Malton, Ontario.
Dr. Doran was diagnosed at the age of 35, after graduating medical school.
“It was very frustrating and irritating, but it was easier to give into it than fight it,” said Dr. Doran. “I wasted a lot of time doing these ritualistic behaviours and I tried to hide it as best I could, once I heard about it and after reading books about it, then it was a lot easier because I could say to everybody that I had an explanation for the tics and all these other things.”
Referring to the scrutiny diagnosed people receive while trying to accept their disorder, Dr. Doran explains that “In this day in age Tourette’s is pretty well known, people have heard a lot about it. So the advice that I would give whether you are on medications or not, is to accept it in the same way as you would accept someone with diabetes for instance – you wouldn’t make fun of someone for that. It is other people’s problems that they don’t accept it, not your problem. Accept it and move on.”
In the way of education, Dr. Doran believes that the educational system is doing what they can, but it is up to the person who has Tourette’s to educate and inform others. Teachers should be made aware of the child’s diagnosis and to also educate their classes.
The Order of Canada has recognized Dr. Doran’s accomplishments while having Tourette’s. “I don’t know if I qualify in my own eye, I don’t know for sure but it is a big honour – a big thing for people, I am very honoured to be thought of as worthy to receive this award,” said Doran.
Through his advocacy work, Dr. Doran wants to continue to raise awareness of this disorder, inspiring others throughout their personal journeys with Tourette Syndrome.
