Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

Did anyone watch this documentary that was on last Wednesday evening on BBC 1? I've just watched it on BBC i Player and it was brilliant. It certainly opened my eyes to those people suffering with this condition. The programme lasts an hour and believe me it is well worth watching. Obviously there is going to be some bad language in it that is beyond their control.

Do give it a watch on BBC i Player.

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

I noticed it on iPlayer was gonna watch it and got distracted! Will try to watch it on the weekend

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

I saw the first programme with the Scottish guy, who appeared to be making progress as janitor of the community hall
How is he now?

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

I saw a program 10 years ago about a young lad in the borders area, . . he was about 14 and his dad took no part in the program because he was so embarrassed, . . they filmed the lad with his mum going around Tescos and the language he was using was colourful to say the least, . . even walking down the street he suddenly shouted obscenities.

It was quite touching really, . . he loved fishing and the film crew went down to the river with him, . . . not one cuss word ever came from his mouth, . . it was the only activity he could do without swearing.

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

That's him I think nero
If it is, this will be the third programme on him

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

I must keep an eye out for this program, . . he comes from Peebles originally, . . I dare say he's moved on by now.

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

Yes, that is him dinahsmum. It was a very touching documentary and one just doesn't realise how debilitating the condition affects the sufferers everyday living that most of us take for granted. That particular chap, I think he's called John, said that he's very lonely and would love to meet someone and get married but no woman would want to get to know him because of his sudden outbursts of what they call 'ticks'.

It also showed a young boy of about 17 and how he was managing to cope with the condition.

It really is worth watching on BBC i Player.

Re: Touretts (I swear I can't help it)

Here is a piece written about the programme from the BBC ..

In 1988, teenager John Davidson featured in a BBC documentary about Tourettes. At that time, few people had even heard of Tourettes Syndrome, let alone knew anything about the neurological condition which, at its worst, causes violent body movements and outbursts of swearing.

John was 16, and trying to come to terms with a frightening world where his language and behaviour was a constant form of offence to everyone around him. In 2002, he took part in a follow-up film alongside 8-year-old Greg Storey, who had recently been diagnosed with Tourettes.

Now, seven years on, this film revisits both John (aged 37) and Greg (aged 15), and sees how their worlds have changed. Greg is now the same age as John was when he first took part in a documentary. How does Greg's experience of being a teenager with Tourettes compare to John's, and how does John's life continue to change?