Christian contemporary musician Jamie Grace is in the middle of preparing for her April wedding to fiance Aaron Collins. The Grammy Award-winning singer recently opened up about how she found the love despite her struggles with Tourette's syndrome.
In an interview with Essence, Grace revealed that Collins was "nonchalant" and "comfortable" when she disclosed her condition during their first weeks of dating. She was the one who was actually nervous because he was simply relaxed about it.
Grace knew at around eight or nine years old that she was different because of her repetitive vocal tics and involuntary movements. Aside from Tourette's, doctors also diagnosed that she had an obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD and anxiety. Finding a life partner who would put up with her conditions became challenging.
"I did need understanding, and I did need the freedom to be able to twitch," Grace disclosed about her dating life. "The frustrating thing was guys saying 'you don't really have [any] tics' because it wasn't as severe."
She and Collins started their courtship in November and he proposed on her birthday last January. The two will marry just outside her hometown in Lawrenceville, Georgia on April 14.
Tourette's syndrome is a type of neurological disorder. Named after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the symptoms usually begin appearing between the ages of three to nine years old. The condition does not impair a person's function in most cases but the tics can be suppressed through medications.
Grace stated in 2016 that she chose to have faith in God instead of fears about her condition. Through her struggles, she believes she's made stronger by leaning on God and now, she's using her experience to share her faith.
"I have learned that resilience comes when we recognize what isn't perfect, and choose to become fighters anyway," the singer said.
