We’re in the Home Stretch!

The idiom “the home stretch” is an apt one for today. This morning, I looked it up on the internet to see exactly how it’s defined by online dictionaries. I found this definition, which explains the home stretch in the context of a horse race: “the straight length of the track nearest the spectators, where the finish line is situated. It is called this because it is the final part of the track a horse travels down during a race, on its race home.” Another definition I like is “the final stage of an undertaking or journey.” The definition I liked the most is: “the last stage, and often the most difficult, in a project that happens right before the project is complete.” As of this morning, we, the Tourette Syndrome community in Canada, entered the homestretch in our race to make this year’s Trek for Tourette the most successful to date. So far we’ve raised approximately $97,000, and donations continue to come in from friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, and community members. I agree with my third and favourite definition that the homestretch is difficult. I think this is because we can all see the finish line, in this case Trek Day, but we are not quite there yet. We’re tired perhaps, we’ve been pushing ourselves and working hard. We’ve asked a lot of people to donate. Can we handle asking anyone else? If you aren’t tired of reading metaphors yet, I have another one. My sports coaches used to tell me to “push through!” Whenever I am weary or tired, I think of all the inspiring people I’ve met who have Tourette Syndrome and have accomplished remarkable things. When I feel that I’ve done all I can, I remember them and what they go through daily, coping with symptoms and stigma. This makes the home stretch much easier for me, and I hope it does for you, too! Happy Home Stretch Canada! Push through, we’re almost there! Ashley Menard TSFC National Programs and Services Coordinator