DEAR ABBY: I have Tourette's syndrome, the type that causes coughing, among other things. There are different triggers that cause the coughing to start, and one of them is the smell of mowed grass. This means that I cannot mow the grass where I live. A lot of my family members think that I should do it anyway. They probably think I'm lazy, as I still live with my mother and can't afford to move out right now. I'm tired of constantly repeating that I can't mow the grass. They know of my problem, but seem oblivious.
I do plenty of work around the house. What am I supposed to say or do when this comes up again? I'm considering just walking away from them. I'm tired of all these people who refuse to understand that I have a real problem. -- COUGH, COUGH IN ILLINOIS
DEAR COUGH: Ask your doctor to write you a letter explaining your medical problem, so you can share it with the relatives who seem unable to believe you have one. I can't guarantee it will completely solve your problem, but it may silence most of them. As to the rest, tune them out.