On Friday, September 16, 19-year-old Syracuse freshman Justin Bachman drove four hours to present his “Living Loud” campaign in Mattison Auditorium. Bachman is the founder of Different Like You, a program geared toward spreading self-confidence and tolerance among young adults.

Bachman suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD, and dysgraphia.  His most prominent and detrimental side effects, ‘tics,’— involuntary twitches or vocal outbursts caused by Tourette’s syndrome — are so severe that they can dislocate joints and tear muscles. Throughout his school years, his condition subjected him to endless teasing and bullying, which led him to attempt suicide three times.

In his speech “Living Loud,” Bachman openly shared his problems growing up and the challenges he faces every day. He stressed the importance of being who you are and accepting yourself as well as those around you. “My differences are what make me, me,” he said.

Bachman also emphasized the harm, both intentional and unintentional, that intolerance can cause. His interactive presentation contained activities that simulated his difficulties, as well as friend-making exercises in which the audience practiced Bachman’s message of acceptance.

Towards the end of his speech, Bachman encouraged Kent students to visit DifferentLikeYou.com, the proceeds of which to funding Bachman’s tours as well as 3D-printing prosthetic limbs for those in need. He also urged students to participate in the site’s 30-second-video campaign, where people proudly present stories about their differences to become a ‘story hero.’ The top two ‘story heroes’ from Kent School will receive a Different Like You prize.

“When it comes time to make your mark on the world, you have to be accepting of who you are, or you will be making the mark of someone else,” said Bachman, as he concluded his presentation. He will continue to tour the country, spreading his message of self-acceptance and acceptance of others.