JOHN Davidson knows only too well the daily challenges faced by young people who, like him, live with the incurable neurological disorder Tourette syndrome.

The 45-year-old from Galashiels is also acutely aware of the need for public understanding, tolerance and acceptance of a condition which manifests itself not only in involuntary movements or tics, but also in bursts of uncontrollable swearing by the sufferer.

And he believes the latest documentary on Tourette’s – now available online and due soon for a national airing on BBC1 – is the best in a series of four such films in which he has featured.

“In terms of raising awareness and showing the highs and lows of Tourette’s along with the laughter and tears, this is the best effort so far, if only because its underlying message is one of hope and optimism.” said John.

He is referring to Tourette’s: Teenage Tics, an hour-long film from the BAFTA winning producer/director partnership of Min Clough and Todd Austin.

Shot last year and now available for download on BBC3, the documentary charts the blossoming and mutually supportive relationship between John, who works as the caretaker at Langlee Community Centre, and 12-year-old Rory Brown from Ancrum who was first diagnosed in 2013.

Rory’s parents Gordon and Lisa turned to John for help after Rory’s symptoms radically worsened when he went up to Jedburgh Grammar School last summer.

The documentary’s narrative is underpinned by John’s mission to ensure that Rory, and other youngsters with Tourette’s, do not have to endure his own horrific experiences as a child.

These are movingly evoked in flashbacks to “John’s Not Mad” which was screened by the BBC in 1989 when the teenager cut an isolated figure at Galashiels Academy.

“There was just no support around in those days and no one understood my physical and verbal outbursts,” said John. “Many people thought I was just bad and seeing these clips from the past makes me wonder how I survived it.”

Not only did he survive it, but, as the new film confirms, he has now become a nationally known ambassador for the condition and, despite his own propensity to occasionally tic, an eloquent advocate on behalf of its sufferers.

In this latter role, we see John, along with Rory and his mum and dad, holding court at Jedburgh Police Station as he seeks the forbearance of officers who, in normal circumstances, might deem the youngster’s behaviour a breach of public order in the Royal Burgh.

Then we see John summoning up the sinew to address a gathering of teachers at Jedburgh Grammar, explaining the educational and social complexities of having a student with Tourette’s in the classroom.

By this time, we have already marvelled at the extra effort and one-to-one pastoral and educational supported extended to Rory by Gemma Gilroy, the school’s upbeat principal teacher of pupil support.

That John is an inspirational leader is entertainingly evidenced in the second part of the film when the action moves to Langlee Community Centre – venue of a two-day residential Tourette camp which he organised in October.

When around 30 sufferers of the disorder, from across the UK, are gathered together for a range of activities and workshops, the air turns blue and the noise can be cacophonous.

But the real message here is one of affinity and camaraderie.

“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.”

If his mentor’s example and friendship is not enough, Rory Brown finds another role model at the camp in 23-year-old Greg Storey who featured alongside John in the 2002 Clough/Austin production “The Boy Can’t Help It”.

Flashbacks to that film heartbreakingly recall the severity of Greg’s symptoms as an eight-year-old at school in Yorkshire.

But now the viewer learns he has turned his life around to become a fledgling internet entrepreneur.

And his technique for keeping his Tourette’s at bay is simple – in any stressful situation, he imagines himself playing complicated drum beats.

An accomplished percussionist, Greg hosts a workshop to illustrate the point and we later learn that Rory has become a star pupil and now has his own drum kit at home.

Meanwhile, Rory’s mum Lisa admits watching the documentary was “an emotional roller coaster”.

“It shows what Rory has to deal with on a day to day basis and I’m so proud he has put himself out there in this way,” she told the Border Telegraph.

“Hopefully people in the community and further afield can see he’s actually a lovely, sensitive lad who just happens to have Tourette’s and that he hates insulting people, but really can’t help it.

“I also hope John and Greg’s stories will give Rory hope that he can be whatever he wants to be and that his condition needn’t hold him back.

“As viewers will see, Rory receives wonderful support from Gemma Gilroy and the staff at Jedburgh Grammar so he can fulfill his dreams – something every mother wants for their child and I’m eternally grateful.

“I’ve had so much positive feedback as a result of the film with some really lovely comments from friends, family and even complete strangers.”

Tourette’s: Teenage Tics can be downloaded now on BBC iplayer. The scheduling has yet to be confirmed for the BBC1 screening which is expected late February or early March.

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