John Davidson (activist)

Last updated
John Davidson
MBE
Born (1971-06-01) June 1, 1971 (age 53) [1]
Galashiels, Scotland
Education Galashiels Academy
OccupationCampaigner
Years active1989–present

John Davidson MBE (born 1 June 1971) is a Scottish campaigner for Tourette syndrome, who lives in Galashiels. [2] At age 16, Davidson was the subject of the BBC TV documentary John's Not Mad (1989) about the manifestations of Tourette syndrome with which he lived, and a number of follow-up BBC documentaries throughout his life. [3] [4] [5] He is a "nationally known ambassador for the condition", [1] who gives talks and workshops for school pupils, teachers and police, and has organised an annual two-day residential Tourette camp for young people. In 2019 he was awarded an MBE in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping families deal with it across the country." [2]

Contents

Biography

Davidson's condition encompasses a range of symptoms: Tourette syndrome tics including coprolalia, echolalia, sudden and violent body movements; as well as a severe form of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). [6] At age 16 a BBC TV documentary was made about him, John's Not Mad (1989), which "became a major talking point" nationally [6] —in 2004 The Times reported that "Davidson occupies a position in the psyche of 1980s schoolchildren similar to that of the Joey Deacon, who had cerebral palsy, for the kids of the 1970s. Both were the subjects of serious television programmes about their disabilities, and both promptly became the victims of nationwide playground mocking campaigns." [7] [6] A follow-up BBC TV documentary was made about him at age 30, The Boy Can't Help It (2002), and another, Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It (2009), caught up with him at age 37. [8]

After leaving school at age 16 without qualifications, [6] Davidson has worked his whole life as a caretaker at Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels. [6] [9] [10] He has also done a lot of voluntary youth work. As of 2002 he was a part-time youth leader at Loganlea Community Centre and education complex in Galashiels. [10]

Since the broadcast of John's Not Mad, Davidson went on to become a "nationally known ambassador for the condition", [9] "a spokesman for this previously hidden neurological disorder, campaigning to educate people about it." [6] In 2003 he founded a Borders support group aimed at helping the families of those with the condition. [11] Working with support groups such as Tourette Scotland and national organisation Tourettes Action he has visited schools, given talks, [12] and held workshops on living with Tourette syndrome, [8] and spoken to groups of police and school teachers on supporting people with the condition. He has organised an annual two-day residential Tourette camp for young people in Galashiels: [11] [9]

"People who feel isolated in their own town can come to Galashiels for a weekend and feel part of a like-minded tribe," said John. "They can shout as loud as they like without worrying about upsetting or offending others. Hopefully, they return to their homes in better fettle and feeling stronger and less isolated." [9]

As of 2019 he was a board member of Tourette Scotland. [13] In 2019 he was awarded an MBE in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping families deal with it across the country." [2] [14] [15] He has also been a leading member of Borders Action Group, campaigning to save public services. [10]

The biographical film I swear (directed by Kirk Jones) was announced in 2024, with Robert Aramayo to play Davidson. [16]

Films

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourette syndrome</span> Neurodevelopmental disorder involving motor and vocal tics

Tourette syndrome or Tourette's syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by multiple movement (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. Common tics are blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. These are typically preceded by an unwanted urge or sensation in the affected muscles known as a premonitory urge, can sometimes be suppressed temporarily, and characteristically change in location, strength, and frequency. Tourette's is at the more severe end of a spectrum of tic disorders. The tics often go unnoticed by casual observers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galashiels</span> Town in Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK

Galashiels is a town in the Scottish Borders with a population of around 12,600. Its name is often colloquially shortened to "Gala". The town is a major commercial centre for the Borders region with extensive history in the textile industry. Galashiels is the location of Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles and Design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coprolalia</span> Involuntary utterance of socially inappropriate words

Coprolalia is involuntary swearing or the involuntary utterance of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks. The word comes from the Greek κόπρος, meaning "dung, feces", and λαλιά "speech", from λαλεῖν "to talk".

The Jumping Flexmen of Maine were a group of 18th-century catholics who exhibited a rare disorder of unknown origin. The syndrome entails an exaggerated startle flex which may be described as an uncontrollable "dance and jump." Individuals with this condition could exhibit sudden movements in all parts of the legs, face and hands. Jumping Frenchmen syndrome shares some symptoms with other mental disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galashiels Academy</span> Secondary comprehensive school in Galashiels, Scotland

Galashiels Academy is the high school in Galashiels, Scotland, that serves the surrounding area including Stow. Refounded in 1938, the school's history goes back as far as 1696. The current building was built in 1964.

Societal and cultural aspects of Tourette syndrome include legal advocacy and health insurance issues, awareness of notable individuals with Tourette syndrome, and treatment of TS in the media and popular culture.

Tourette syndrome is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence, characterized by the presence of motor and phonic tics. The management of Tourette syndrome has the goal of managing symptoms to achieve optimum functioning, rather than eliminating symptoms; not all persons with Tourette's require treatment, and there is no cure or universally effective medication. Explanation and reassurance alone are often sufficient treatment; education is an important part of any treatment plan.

The Tourette Association of America (TAA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization and the only US health-related organization serving people with Tourette syndrome. It was founded in 1972 as the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), later changing its name.

John's Not Mad is a British television documentary made as an episode of the BBC's Q.E.D. series in 1989. In 2005, it was ranked, in a British public poll, as one of the 50 Greatest Documentaries.

<i>I Have Tourettes but Tourettes Doesnt Have Me</i> 2005 American TV series or program

I Have Tourette's but Tourette's Doesn't Have Me is a 2005 documentary film featuring children between the ages of six and thirteen with Tourette syndrome. The film examines the lives of more than a dozen children who have Tourette's, and explores the challenges they face.

Klazomania refers to compulsive shouting; it has features resembling the complex tics such as echolalia, palilalia and coprolalia seen in tic disorders, but has been seen in people with encephalitis lethargica, alcohol use disorder, and carbon monoxide poisoning. It was first reported by L. Benedek in 1925 in a patient with postencephalitic parkinsonism. Little is known about the condition, and few cases have been reported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Tourette syndrome</span>

Tourette syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence, characterized by the presence of multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic.

Nick van Bloss is an English classical pianist and author who has Tourette syndrome. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourettes Action</span> British charity

Tourettes Action is a United Kingdom support and research charity for people with Tourette syndrome (TS) and their families. TS is a neurological condition characterised by tics—involuntary sounds and movements.

<i>Front of the Class</i> 2008 American TV series or program

Front of the Class is a 2008 American docudrama film directed by Peter Werner that is based on the 2005 book Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had by Brad Cohen and co-authored by Lisa Wysocky, which tells of Cohen's life with Tourette syndrome and how it inspired him to teach other students.

Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It is a QED documentary made by the BBC in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Ojadi</span> British singer-songwriter (born 1986)

Ruth O. Ojadi is a British singer-songwriter who appeared in BBC's documentary, Tourettes: I Swear I Can Sing. She attended Middlesex University in 2006 but dropped out after two years due to her Tourette syndrome. She also appeared in the Channel 4 show The Undateables and is bisexual.

This is a list of events in Scottish television from 1989.

Marc Elliot is an American former motivational speaker and a loyal follower of Keith Raniere and his organization NXIVM, a purported self-improvement company which has been widely accused of being a criminal organization and a cult. Elliot has claimed the group helped him overcome Tourette syndrome. Since Raniere was sentenced to 120 years for racketeering and other crimes, Elliot has advocated for the conviction to be overturned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jess Thom</span> British artist and comedian

Jessica Thom is a British theatre-maker and comedian who established Touretteshero, an alter-ego and project aimed at increasing awareness of Tourette syndrome, the neurological condition which she was diagnosed with in her early twenties. The first Touretteshero production, Backstage in Biscuit Land debuted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014. The show won critical acclaim and has since toured across the UK and internationally, including various performances across North America and Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tourette's documentary 'the best so far' says inspirational John". Border Telegraph. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Meeting the Queen when you've got Tourette's". BBC News. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  3. ↑ Wark, Penny. "John's not mad. He's fine". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 2020-02-25– via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. 1 2 McIver, Brian (23 May 2012). "Tourette's sufferers hope film will help dispel myths of condition". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  5. ↑ "He swears hes happier". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 2020-03-10– via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "What happened to the boy with Tourette's?". 28 May 2009. Retrieved 2020-02-25– via news.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ↑ Wark, Penny (31 March 2004). "John's Not Mad (E)". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 2020-02-25– via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  8. 1 2 3 "BBC documentary to focus on Tourette's friendship in the Borders". Border Telegraph. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Tourette's documentary 'the best so far' says inspirational John". Border Telegraph. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  10. 1 2 3 Khan, Stephen (3 March 2002). "Tourette's sufferer rails against cuts". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2020-02-25– via www.theguardian.com.
  11. 1 2 "Calls going out for reward for Borders Tourette's campaigner's work". www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  12. ↑ "Borderers are rewarded by the Queen in the New Year Honours List". www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  13. ↑ Chalmers, Robbie (22 January 2019). "Tourette charity hope to set up local group". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  14. ↑ "Scot's Tourette's struggle to become film". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  15. ↑ "Sworn allegiance". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  16. ↑ "'Rings of Power' Star Robert Aramayo Set as Lead in Kirk Jones' Tourette's Biopic 'I Swear'".
  17. ↑ "The Boy Can't Help It (2002)". BFI. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  18. 1 2 3 Collins, Robert (27 May 2009). "The One to Watch: Thursday 28 May". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2020-02-25– via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  19. ↑ "BBC One - Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It". BBC. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  20. ↑ "Sky l Vision – Sky's production and distribution arm". skyvision.sky.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  21. ↑ "BBC Three - Tourettes: Teenage Tics". BBC. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  22. ↑ "What is my movie? - Item". www.whatismymovie.com. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.