Has anyone just seen "The Boy Can't Help It " on BBC One ? (9 - 10 PM)

It was very interesting, but also saddening. Basically Tourette's Syndrome is an uncontrollable condition, where the sufferer has "tics". i.e, they cannot helping shouting out words. It happens all the time, and more often than not it is usually swearing.

There were two people on the show, a young lad and a bloke who I think was about 30. Both really nice people, who had this terrible syndrome. I'm not usually one to right things like this, but it puts some problems into perspective. These people will never lead a normal life because of these "tics".

Just thought I'd share this with you. Very interesting it was.

 

Yes, very sad - there is a 17 page article on it in the Muppets Forum but I wouldnt bother reading it if I was you!

Pete

 

I created that 17 page thread some weeks ago after thinking about the origional program. I was a lot younger then and it did appeal to my juvenile humour

When I watched the prog tonight, I must admit I did not laugh or giggle once at that clearly troubled young boy

However John can still make me laugh, and even he is aware of his troubles, which lightens the mood slightly

When he wacked the rear view mirror I did let out a laugh

 

Yes, John WAS funny!

The rear view mirror was funny as was the SAS example he gave, sneaking through the undergrowth looking at the enemy - then jumping up and shouting I AM HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And where he said imagine if I was a burglar, I would shout I'M IN YOUR HOUSE !!!!!!!!!!

That 8 year old lad was too young to make light of it however and that was sad

Pete

 

What about when he stroked his dog and almost wacked her!

 

I can remember my mother kicking the crap out of me for laughing at the first programme.

 

I was surprised that the BBC allowed the (un-bleeped) c-word at only two minutes past the watershed - normally it is completely banned (the c-word that is, not the watershed)!

However, it was an interesting program.

mb

 

Very interesting but also quiet scary, as theres no cure, and you wouldnt know that your kids were going to get it..

 

I did feel sorry for the little boy, it is a shame and no one should have to suffer from this illness.

I found it interesting that both he and John were really appalled by the words that they shouted out as part of their tics.

John is still entertaining not because of the tics, which when the programme was first aired I thought was hilarious, but of the way he deals with them. His self-effacing jokes and generaly humour had me laughing with him and not at him.

On a slightly different note the BBC were probably able to get away with the C-word as it was part of a documentary and it showed how the afflicition makes people use words that they normally wouldn't.

 

It's hell to live with.

Roll on a cure, or an understanding of the disease...

On a lighter note, Tourette's conferences are quite stunning places to be. The audience continually swears loudly, then apologises for the outburst. Verrrry surreal.

Nick.

[Edited by chiark - 2/28/2002 8:49:03 AM]

 

Likewise very saddened at the anguish and misery the young lad goes through - asking your parents to kill you is no light thing for an 8 year old to ask.

I'm afraid I am still juvenile enough to laugh at the random profanities being shouted, however - imagine a Tourettes Mens' Choir?

Gordo

[Edited by Gordo - 2/28/2002 9:42:45 AM]

 

And remember, the BBC is an equal-opportunities employer, but you'll never hear a Tourette's Syndrome sufferer as a continuity announcer....

 

Never heard of this disease before..... hope they manage to cure it...

So do they just spirt out what they are thinking? or random words....?