Living with Tourette syndrome

When the film I Swear won three Bafta awards, what happened at the ceremony prompted a much bigger story and wider discussion.

The film portrays the life of John Davidson who grew up with Tourette syndrome – the incurable condition, which causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements.

During the awards, Davidson shouted out an involuntary racial slur, which was picked up by microphones and broadcast. In a statement, Davidson said he was "deeply mortified” and that the tics, as they are known, were involuntary and did not carry any meaning.

In our conversations, we bring together two black Americans with Tourette’s. They share their experiences, including dealing with the police.

“My parents had me sit there and recite and practice if I were to get pulled-over: ‘Hi, I have Tourette's syndrome it is a tic disorder, do you mind if I explain or do you know what it is?’,” Jamie Grace, a music producer in Atlanta tells us.“ And the first time I got pulled over it was really difficult, the responding officer accused me of being intoxicated and it became a difficult conversation.”

Tourette’s is a genetic condition that affects the nervous system. It’s estimated that one in every hundred children – many millions around the world – have it. We also bring together three people in the UK to give an insight into their lives with Tourette’s.

Presenter: James Reynolds
BBC producer: Lindsay Brown and Angela Sheeran.
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editors: Arja Haikonen and Simon Peeks

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC Outside Source.

(Photo: Wilamena Dyer. Credit: Wilamena Dyer)