health

February 27, 2026

Tourette syndrome tests the limits of acceptance – I’ve struggled with it for 30 years

The anger toward John Davidson’s racist Baftas outburst is understandable. But I’ve had to ask what I owe to others with the condition

Tourette syndrome tests the limits of acceptance – I’ve struggled with it for 30 years

TL;DR

  • The author, a journalist with Tourette syndrome, struggles with the impact of their tics on their professional life and public perception.
  • A recent Bafta awards incident involving John Davidson's racist outbursts due to coprolalia has sparked debate about accommodating neurological disorders.
  • Public understanding of Tourette syndrome is often limited to involuntary swearing, ignoring the broader spectrum of tics and their impact.
  • The author discusses the personal embarrassment, physical discomfort, and emotional toll of suppressing tics throughout their life.
  • The incident raises difficult questions about prioritizing the comfort of others versus the accommodation of those with visible differences.
  • Despite past desires to hide their condition, the author is now trying to be more public about their tics to show their children the world is larger than personal fear.

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