Introduction to Tourette’s
At the age of 16, John Davidson became the reluctant poster boy for Tourette syndrome, a little-known disease that caused him to cramp and jerk, swear uncontrollably, and scream explicit sexual phrases. In his documentary, "John’s Not Mad," from 1989, he cut a sad and lonely figure as cameras followed him in the Scottish borders in his hometown of Galashiels.
Living with Tourette’s
John, now 54, has decided to keep the spotlight on himself to raise awareness about the condition, which, according to NHS statistics, affects about one in a hundred children in the UK. His story is told in a new film, "I Swear." The writer and director, Kirk Jones, says, "I remembered John’s story from the documentary. It’s incredibly sad, but sometimes humorous. I couldn’t imagine a more extreme example of someone whose life encompasses incredible excitement, tragedy, and emotions over the past 40 years."
The Film "I Swear"
The actor Robert Aramayo, who plays John as an adult, looked at the documentary films, but his most important resource was John himself, who was an executive producer of the film. Aramayo spent months with John in Galashiels, going for dinner, walks, watching football together, and visiting the community center. He says, "I was very happy to spend so much time with him. He will be in my life now, hopefully forever." The film also features Maxine Peak, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan, and brings attention to the wider Tourette community.
Raising Awareness
John hopes that the film will raise awareness about Tourette’s and encourage people to be more understanding and patient with those who have the condition. He says, "Tourette’s is such a terrible state that I don’t want to be the focus of attention most of the time. I want to be able to walk along the street and not be noticed because I scream or swear." The film’s director, Kirk Jones, adds, "I really hope that this film can make people think twice about giving people space, giving them time, being patient with people who are not exactly what they seem."
Tourette’s in the Modern Era
Things have changed since 1989, and John is no longer alone. Tourette’s is now one of the most common neurological developmental disorders in the world, and pop star Lewis Capaldi is one of the latest diagnoses. John says, "At that time, we knew that Tourette existed, but it was a rare condition. There’s nothing rare about it now. Millions of people live with it." The film aims to sensitize awareness and give people the grit and determination to continue fighting for their children, going to school, and going to their local MPs.
The Importance of Understanding
Tourette’s rarely appears alone, and most people also have conditions such as ADHD, OCD, fear, or autism. Coprolalia, or involuntary cursing, is not typical, although it is often the focus of media attention. The film’s director, Kirk Jones, says, "In 2025, there are so many other things that you can say that are explosive in one sentence. You can walk along the street and just scream a few words, and it could hit her, it could arrest her, it could beat her." John adds, "It’s so surreal to watch yourself on the screen. It’s bizarre, but also very humbling."
A Personal Victory
John won another fan in 2019 when he went to the Holyrood Palace to receive an MBE for his campaign work. He knew that his nerves would make his symptoms even more pronounced, but he was determined to be there. He says, "I started ticcing and screaming and was absolutely ashamed. But then I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was one of the royal archers, the Queen’s bodyguard while she is in Holyrood, and a voice said, ‘Don’t stress, she knows everything about your condition.’" John adds, "It was huge for me because I had so much to struggle with everyday life, with misunderstandings of people, and when the Queen of the United Kingdom can understand and ignore the tics and the swear words, why then can’t the rest of society?"
The Film’s Release
The film "I Swear" will be released in UK cinemas on October 10th, with a certificate 15 rating. John hopes that it will make a difference in raising awareness and understanding of Tourette’s, and that it will encourage people to be more patient and supportive of those who have the condition.
