TicsTripsTruths

A story of Tourette’s, resilience, vulnerability, healing, and finding purpose in the most unexpected place.

Jeanna DiVietro is the creator and heart behind Tourette Taxi, a journey built on laughter, vulnerability, human connection, and one simple belief: no one should ever feel like they have to face life alone.

Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome as a child, Jeanna learned early what it felt like to be different, misunderstood, and sometimes judged for something she couldn't control. But she also learned something else very early in life: Tourette syndrome was never going to decide what she was capable of.

In 1993, growing up in Mount Vernon, Indiana, Jeanna became the only girl on the Mount Vernon Jr. High boys football team. She played the entire season as a defensive end and defensive tackle, earning newspaper coverage under a headline that would unknowingly describe much of the life ahead of her:

“She’s Tackling Tourette’s.”

And in many ways, she never stopped.

That same determination followed Jeanna into adulthood. She went on to own and operate Third Generation Photography for 14 years, building a five-star reputation photographing weddings, portraits, and special events. Her career eventually took her across the country, photographing composite portraits for large police and fire departments in cities throughout the United States and earning multiple Consumers’ Choice Awards along the way.

Willpower, resilience, determination, and a whole lot of grit have always been woven into Jeanna's story.

But Tourette Taxi was never part of the plan.

In fact, Jeanna never asked for any of this.

After spending about five years as a five-star rideshare driver, Jeanna had heard it countless times from passengers, friends, and even complete strangers: You need to make videos.

She wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

Then one conversation changed everything.

Jeanna met a young man with Tourette syndrome who was having an incredibly difficult time coping with his diagnosis. His story stayed with her. For the first time, she began to wonder if sharing the very thing she had spent her entire life learning to live with could help someone else feel a little less alone.

So, reluctantly, she turned on the camera.

What began as a rideshare driver picking up random strangers became something Jeanna could have never predicted.

People laughed. People connected. People shared their own stories.

And then the messages started coming.

Messages from people living with Tourette syndrome. Parents watching their children struggle. People dealing with bullying, depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and battles they had been carrying silently for years.

Behind the views and viral videos were real people saying, in one way or another, “I needed this.”

That's when Jeanna began to understand the responsibility, and the purpose, behind the platform she never set out to build.

She may not have asked for any of this, but every story, every message, and every person who has trusted her with a vulnerable piece of their life continues to remind her why she believes this is what she is called to do.

And eventually, the mission became even more personal.

After spending much of her life being the strong one, the determined one, the resilient one, Jeanna recently found herself confronting childhood trauma she had carried for decades. She describes it as finally “ripping off the Band-Aid” and facing things she had spent years pushing aside.

Through her own healing, Jeanna discovered that strength isn't always about pushing through.

Sometimes strength is admitting something hurt.

Sometimes it's allowing yourself to be vulnerable.

And sometimes it's finally giving yourself permission to heal.

That experience changed the way Jeanna listens to other people's stories and deepened her commitment not only to Tourette syndrome awareness, but also to mental health advocacy and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to be human.

She doesn't share her story because she has everything figured out. She shares it because she knows someone on the other side of the screen may be quietly wondering if anybody understands.

That person is why she keeps showing up.

Today, the same woman who never wanted to make a single video is taking Tourette Taxi nationwide, traveling from city to city and meeting people who once only knew her through a screen.

Every mile creates another opportunity to listen, laugh, educate, advocate, and remind someone that their story matters.

But Jeanna doesn't believe the journey ends at the borders of the United States.

Her story, and the stories shared through Tourette Taxi, have resonated with people around the world. Her vision is to eventually take Tourette Taxi internationally, bringing these conversations, laughter, awareness, and moments of genuine human connection to communities across the globe.

Because if Jeanna's life has proven anything, it's this:

Never underestimate how far determination can take you.

The little girl who refused to let Tourette syndrome keep her off the football field became a woman who has refused to let Tourette syndrome, trauma, fear, setbacks, or anyone else's expectations determine how far she can go.

Her story is filled with resilience.

Her mission is fueled by vulnerability.

And her purpose is rooted in making sure fewer people feel like they have to struggle alone.

Through Tourette Taxi, Jeanna uses humor to break down stigma, honest conversations to create connection, and her own story to remind others that there is strength in telling theirs.

Sometimes awareness starts with education.

Sometimes healing starts with a conversation.

Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

And sometimes all someone needs is to hear four words:

You are not alone.

This is more than a ride.

She’s Pulling Up With Purpose.