From her website: http://www.magdalenhsuli.com/
Magdalen Hsu-li is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, painter, and cultural activist that is redefining the female musician and smashing the ceiling in the american music industry. she has been called a “…one woman dynamo of talent”, her music described as “…exquisitely furious, beautiful, & exciting” by performing songwriter, “…sweet, melodic, & real" by the new york times, “…
Born in a small southern town into one of a handful of asian families, magdalen experienced extreme racism and prejudice on a daily basis while battling cross-cultural conflicts and a rare disability (tourette’s syndrome). she shattered all adversities and channeled her harsh beginnings into the positive, uplifting, and electrifying force she is today, achieving international and critical renown on both stage and canvas.
From a recent article: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=66726&comview=1
“As a child, I was an incredible target, a social outcast,” she said. “I was so lonely, I just could not foresee a future with my disorder.”
Determined not to succumb to the prejudice, or the continuous ticks she could not help, Magdalen expressed a talk she had with herself.
“You must change,” she said. “You have yourself and you have your will.”
It was this will that lead her to fight against herself and her disease. Six months later, her persistent tics stopped.
Syndrome.