A young Australian woman diagnosed with one of the world’s worst cases of Tourette Syndrome has learned to embrace her condition and fulfil her dreams.
Bianca Saez was diagnosed with Tourette’s when she was just three years old after she began punching and scratching herself and her loved ones.
After finding love and moving into her own home, the Sunshine Coast woman said the only thing left was find a job.
Now the 27-year-old has finally got everything she’s ever wanted working as an ambassador for diversity and disability at employment training agency, Designer Life.
Bianca Saez (pictured) told 60 Minutes that she has finally overcome all her barriers and was able to get a job
Bianca pictured with her mother Leanne after struggling for years with her Tourette’s
‘When I was a teenager I never thought i’d be in this position, I thought I’d be a 40-year-old cat lady at home, but it’s so good that I have everything I ever dreamed of,’ she told 60 Minutes.
‘I went from just laying on my couch, eating, sleeping, that was all my days would ever be.’
The simple act of waking up for Ms Saez and getting ready in the morning is exhausting as Tourrette’s hijacks life’s simple tasks.
‘It’s not as easy for me… makeup goes all over my face, toothpaste goes in my hair,’ she said.
But last year Ms Saez found love with boyfriend Zach, which she says was a major turning point in learning to accept her condition.
‘Falling in love with this beautiful man has helped me and improved my motivation and my mental health – it’s made me smile,’ she said on 60 Minutes in August.
‘It’s just helped my Tourette’s and moods in so many ways.’
Zach helps her get ready each day, putting on her shoes and helping with her makeup.
At the young age of 16, Bianca was put into a mental health unit which devastated her family
Zach (pictured with Ms Saez) helps her get ready each day, putting on her shoes and helping with her makeup
Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts said she had been following the 27-year-old’s story for 11 years.
Ms Roberts said she recognised Ms Saez’s talents as a motivational speaker and wanted to track her down after seeing her appear on television.
‘As soon as she walks into the room the students are, you know, captivated,’ Ms Roberts said.
The agency makes sure to keep everything safe for Ms Saez, with no glass tables or walls nearby in meetings and multiple conversations about her ticks.
‘I just want to help people and it’s truly amazing to help people,’ Ms Saez said.
Designer Life chief executive Leisa Roberts (pictured with Ms Saez) said she had been following the 27-year-old’s story for 11 years and was motivated to track her down last year
Now the 27-year-old has finally got everything she’s always wanted working as an ambassador for diversity and disability at employment training agency Designer Life
After finding the love of her life and fulfilling her dreams with a career she said there are only few things left she wants to do.
‘I’d love to marry the love of my life, I’d like to build a Tourette’s proof house, maybe even have a child one day if I’m able to,’ she said.
‘Just the normal things in life – family, purpose, love – simple things.’
At the young age of 16, Ms Saez was put into a mental health unit which devastated her family.
Her plight shocked the nation after footage was televised of her during a particularly violent episode that saw her roll around screaming in a park, before attacking her mum and a bench.
Her helpless family didn’t know where to turn.
‘I’m just a simple bloke, I just want to have my family together. It’s hard,’ her dad John said at the time.
‘It’s still hard but I’m trying to be positive and I get really resilient,’ Bianca said
Her mother Leanne added: ‘There’s nothing we can do to help her.’
In 2008, Ms Saez 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.
‘I’m so grateful for this,’ Ms Saez told 60 Minutes host Tara Brown back then.
‘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.’
Unfortunately, Ms Saez contracted a staph infection which meant the electrodes had to be removed, leaving her to once more suffer the full effects of Tourette’s.
Despite her symptoms returning, including calling her mum a ‘f***ing dog’ and punching her, Ms Saez says she has come to accept her situation.
Despite her symptoms returning, including calling her mum a ‘f***ing dog’, Bianca says she has come to accept her situation
Bianca has launched a YouTube channel to educate her followers and the community about Tourette’s
‘It’s still hard but I’m trying to be positive and I get really resilient,’ she said.
‘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, Ms Saez 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 in August.
‘If I was offered a cure tomorrow, I don’t think I would take it because I’ve been given this really bad Tourette’s for a reason. I have to do something good with it I guess. I just want to help people in the future.