Hansard

This is the first time in my 25 years in the Parliament that Tourette’s has been discussed. I thank the member for securing the debate in the chamber, and I welcome those in the gallery who are listening to this significant—I would add milestone—debate on Tourette’s.

The main symptom of the syndrome is tics, which can be vocal or motor. They can include whistling, sniffing or clearing your throat, repeating a sound or phrase and occasionally swearing. A person cannot control them—they just happen. The syndrome usually develops in early childhood, and it is even estimated that one in every 100 Scots has Tourette’s. Sometimes it is so mild that it cannot be identified. There is no known cure, but the condition can be managed. Most important of all, I believe, is for the public to be educated to understand the condition so that we can remove the stigma.

John Davidson, who lives in Galashiels, is a constituent of mine who has Tourette’s. I first met John—although he will not remember it; I do not expect to be remembered all the time—many years ago while visiting Langlee community centre in Galashiels. I was there for a meeting and, in the near distance, I could hear shouting and swearing. Like many, I was taken aback, but then I was told, “It is only John,” and that he had Tourette’s. I had heard of it, but I had not encountered it, so that was a first.

Not much is widely known about the condition even now, so it is much misunderstood. People think that it is a sign of terrible rudeness and express their distaste one way or another, but John has worked his whole life to change that. I think that he became a reluctant poster boy for Tourette syndrome when he was just 16. The little-known condition, which had previously been described as “a wild madness”, caused him to spasm, jerk, swear uncontrollably and shout explicit sexual phrases.

To this day, John still works at Langlee centre. He has also been the subject of not a few documentaries, including the 1989 BBC programme “John’s Not Mad”, which enabled him to bring Tourette syndrome into the living room in a way that had never been done before. That approach has continued, turning into a lifetime of advocacy to further publicise and increase understanding of the condition. In 2002, at the age of 30, he appeared in “The Boy Can’t Help It”; and, in 2009, when he was 37, he was in “Tourette’s: I Swear I Can’t Help It”. Latterly, as has been said, the new film “I Swear”, which is based on his life, is a powerful piece of storytelling that reflects not only the challenges that he has faced but his determination and humour.

John has made Scotland, and, indeed, the United Kingdom, a more understanding place—I hope—for people living with Tourette’s.