'I wish superstars Lewis and Billie would talk more about Tourette's'

John Davidson is a well-known figure who helped introduce Tourette's syndrome to a wider audience. He first appeared in a documentary called 'John's Not Mad' in 1989, when he was just 16 years old. At that time, Tourette's was not well understood, and many people thought it was something strange or even frightening. John showed the world what it was really like to live with Tourette's, a neurological condition that causes people to make involuntary movements and sounds called tics. These tics can include sudden jerks, blinking, or even shouting words that the person does not mean to say. Now, at 54, John continues to raise awareness about Tourette's and wants other famous people with the condition, like singers Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish, to speak out more about their experiences.

John believes that because Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish are so popular, they have a unique opportunity to help people understand Tourette's better. He says that they are always in the public eye, and if they talk more about their condition, it could help their fans and the general public accept and support people with Tourette's. John feels that Lewis and Billie did not choose to have Tourette's, but they did choose to be in the spotlight, so they should use their fame to help others. He wants people to see that having Tourette's is just one part of who someone is, and it should not define them. John also says that society needs to become more accepting of people who are neurodivergent, which means people whose brains work differently, like those with Tourette's, autism, or ADHD.

Lewis Capaldi has spoken about his struggles with Tourette's, especially after being diagnosed and taking a break from performing. When he returned to the stage at Glastonbury, John found it inspiring to see him perform in front of such a huge crowd. John says that Lewis must feel proud to be able to entertain so many people, even though he has a condition that used to be misunderstood and even looked down upon. Billie Eilish has also talked about her tics and how living with Tourette's can be exhausting. John remembers how difficult it was for him as a child, feeling scared and wanting to hide because of his tics. He just wanted people to understand that he could not control his actions. Now, John's life story is being told in a new film, which shows his journey to understanding his condition. Tourette's usually starts in childhood, and while most people do not need medication, there are treatments available if the tics cause problems. John says that things have improved for people with Tourette's, as schools and clubs are more understanding, but there is still a long way to go. He advises people to ignore the tics and not make a big deal out of them, and he tries to find humor in his own tics. John hopes that by sharing his story and encouraging others to do the same, more people will learn to accept and support those with Tourette's.