Syndrome In Oliver Sacks 'Short Story A Surgeon's Life'

A Surgeon’s Life
Tourette’s syndrome can be found in every aspect of life, no matter one’s race, genetic makeup, or cultural heritage. An individual with this neurological disease does not stand out from the crowd; rather, only when they feel a compulsive and involuntary tic, which forces them to act out a movement or twitch, do people notice them. This disease does not necessarily have to dominate one’s life, as there are numerous famous figures throughout history that have discovered creative coping methods that distract them from their tics. In the short story, “A Surgeon’s Life” by Oliver Sacks, Dr. Carl Bennet is a surgeon who suffers from Tourette’s disease. Despite Dr. Bennett's condition, he excels in his profession as a surgeon and

is highly respected by the community of Branford. Sacks offers the readers more insight into what Tourette’s is as well as coping methods, how peers adapt to Tourettic individuals, and how people with the disease do not let it negatively affect their life.
Many individuals in society would assume that having Tourette’s comes with uncontrollable outbursts from the individual with the disease, resulting in isolation from the rest of the world.

But what Oliver Sacks is trying to convey to the reader is that those with Tourette’s find ways to manage their tics so that their actions either never happen or go unnoticed. Dr. Carl Bennett found surgery as a means to deal with his symptoms. Dr. Bennett says, “Most of the time, while I’m operating, it never crosses my mind that I have Tourette’s.” (96). By having the identity of a doctor at work, Bennett focuses solely on the procedure. Therefore, Bennett’s Tourettic tendencies decrease because he is putting all his efforts into one thing and shifting his focus point, rather than obsessing over small tics. The way that colleagues have adjusted to Bennett is another topic that Oliver Sacks hinted at to help the reader understand

Tourette’s.
By handling his disease, Bennett allows for the ability to interact with his peers, who adapt to his Tourette's in positive ways. From the beginning, the town of Branford was welcoming and friendly. However, Bennett still felt the need to hide his Tourette’s and would confirm that no one was looking before he had the urge to act upon a tic. Sacks claims, “When he [Bennett] first started working at the hospital, he would skip in the corridors only after checking to be sure no one was looking; now he skips and no one gives it a second glance” (90). His colleagues adjusted to his behavior by not reacting to Bennett’s twitches, and it was considered normal in their eyes. Due to this, Bennett was at ease with his colleagues and felt free of Tourette's with them and at work.
A major part of the story was Sacks’ emphasis on how Bennett did not let Tourette’s affect his daily life.

Bennett had developed a stable routine that allowed him to create meaningful relationships with his patients. They felt comfortable with Dr. Bennett because he prepared for every procedure with the mindset to treat his patient as if they were the only individual in the world. Even on his off days, Bennett did not let Tourette’s affect him, as he loved to do what any disease-free person would like to do. As it said in the story, “Bennett likes to go for long hikes on Fridays, or drives, with a sense of the open road behind him” (99). This quote solidifies that just like any able-bodied individual, Bennett enjoyed life and explored the world without letting his condition get in the

way.
Even though Dr. Bennett suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, he is a valued surgeon in the town of Branford. The citizens trust his precise and exact operating techniques even with his twitchy tourettic actions that may flare up. Sacks incorporates his experiences at the hospital in Branford with the surgeon to expand the reader’s knowledge of Tourette’s. The author identifies how people with the disease are able handle their urges in public, interact efficiently with peers, and have a satisfying life despite their condition.