Most People Would Never Know My Daughter Was Once Diagnosed With Tourette Syndrome
From severe tics, OCD, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and sensory struggles… to graduating high school, driving independently, singing on stage, and enjoying life again.
Today, Natalia:
✓ Drives independently and safely
✓ Works a client-facing job
✓ Sings on stage and in church
✓ Manages her own food choices and supplements
✓ Graduated from high school
✓ Enjoys friendships, activities, and everyday life
If you met her today, you would likely never know she was once struggling with symptoms that affected nearly every part of her life.
A few years ago, our reality looked very different.
When Everything Started To Feel Bigger Than "Just Tics"
Like many families, we were initially told that Natalia’s symptoms were simply part of Tourette Syndrome. But over time, it became clear there was much more happening. Alongside severe motor and vocal tics, Natalia struggled with:
- OCD tendencies
- intrusive thought
- anxiety
- sensory sensitivities
- stomach issues
- emotional outbursts
- sleep challenges
- brain fog
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- mood changes
- fears and compulsions
The hardest part was that no one seemed able to explain why all of these symptoms were happening together. So we did what most parents do. We researched. We changed diets. We tried supplements. We worked with specialists. We tried medications. We followed recommendations. We kept searching for answers. And despite all of that effort, we still felt like we were missing something important.
The Moment Everything Changed
Eventually, another parent referred us to Dr. Piper Gibson. What stood out immediately was that she was asking very different questions than anyone else had asked before. Instead of looking at each symptom individually, she was looking at Natalia as a whole person.
Instead of asking: “How do we manage this symptom?”
She was asking: “What may be contributing to these symptoms underneath the surface?”
For the first time, someone was helping us look at the bigger picture and for the first time, things started making sense.
What Life Looks Like Today
Today, Natalia is not defined by symptoms. She is defined by who she has become. She graduated from high school. She sings publicly and performs on stage. She works a client-facing job and interacts confidently with people throughout her day. She drives independently. She spends time with friends. She participates in church.
These are things that once felt impossible. Most people have no idea she was ever diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Natalia is a young adult reaching her goals, chasing her dreams, and building a future she is excited about.
Most importantly: She gets to simply enjoy being herself, without tics.
Why I Do This Work Today
My name is Danielle Goetzinger and I’m Natalia’s mom.
When she was struggling, I spent years trying to figure out how to help her. I remember the fear. I remember the exhaustion. I remember wondering if things would ever get better. That experience changed the direction of my life.
Today, I work alongside Dr. Gibson helping families who are facing many of the same questions we once had. Every week I speak with parents who are overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, and desperately trying to help their children.
I understand those feelings because I have lived them.
I am currently pursuing my Integrative Genetics Specialist certification through Elite Gene Labs and plan to continue my education toward a doctorate in functional medicine as I continue supporting families through this work.
One of the greatest privileges of my life is being able to tell parents: There is hope.
This is not because every child follows the exact same path or because there is one simple answer. This is because I have personally witnessed what can happen when families stop guessing and begin understanding the bigger picture.
Could There Be More To Your Child's Symptoms?
Many of the families we speak with notice overlapping patterns such as:
- tics
- anxiety
- OCD tendencies
- emotional dysregulation
- sensory sensitivities
- gut issues
- sleep challenges
- symptom flare-ups after illness or stress
And many have spent years trying different approaches while still feeling like important pieces are missing.
Want Help Understanding Your Child’s Patterns More Specifically?
Want Help Understanding Your
Child's Patterns More Specifically?
- review your child’s symptom history
- discuss overlapping patterns and symptom connections
- help identify areas that may warrant deeper investigation
- explain what a more structured root-cause approach could look like for your child specifically
- outline practical next steps based on your child’s unique history and symptom presentation
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Many parents leave the conversation feeling:
- less overwhelmed
- more validated
- and with a much clearer understanding of what may actually be contributing underneath the surface.
You do not have to keep trying to piece this together alone.
