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Which activities might clergy members participate in during their own leisure hours? Recently, I ventured with a couple of companions, both other pastors, to see the recently released movie titled I Swear. From the preview, I understood which the film centered on a person experiencing Tourette syndrome. What the author had not understand turned out to be the fact it was based on a true-life figure: John Davidson, that appeared in a 1989 program who later was awarded a British Empire Medal for their campaigns to educate people about Tourette's and support fellow sufferers.

Exploring Tourette Syndrome

Prior to this documentary, the majority did not been aware of Tourette syndrome. Almost four decades since then, everybody generally knows what it is, but it remains treated as comic material – especially within comedy shows.

From the trailer, it appeared that this movie intended to walk a fine line through both leveraging the obvious funny moments from someone yelling the most inappropriate phrases at awkward situations while also attempting to further the protagonist's work in educating the public in a respectful and sensitive approach. It is hoped it’s not revealing too much to mention it was successful on both counts – but of course this became clear by the end.

An Unexpected Theater Incident

When the feature began, a youth seated ahead nearby unexpectedly yelled multiple curse words. For a minute, it seemed it was a joke – although a joke highly inappropriate. Yet, it soon became clear which here was someone genuinely diagnosed with Tourette's: a young man with his father.

And as the story progressed, so did the young man – with no apparent response from neither his father or anybody among the viewers. I felt slightly conflicted. Clearly, this represented a significant event for them to experience their undoubtedly extremely challenging daily reality depicted on the big screen, so I was pleased which they got that opportunity. But was it OK if I along with other viewers in the auditorium struggled to follow the audio due to the noise? Would the cinema have been able to organize an exclusive showing – as many cinemas frequently offer to those with conditions usually?

A Moral Struggle

It's regrettable to confess which I genuinely contemplated raising the issue – however, not to the boy’s father himself (I’m not a monster), instead to the manager of the cinema. However, both of my obviously more compassionate friends seemed to have come to terms to what was happening. Plus, I recalled there was an fictional yet memorable episode from Extras where Ricky Gervais’s the protagonist protests regarding a young person causing a disturbance in a restaurant, not realizing which he has Down’s syndrome. He barely survived the subsequent bad press – and my offence could have been far worse since I was aware the boy simply was unable to control it.

An Eye-Opening Realization

Fortunately, my conscience prevailed and an amazing thing happened over the next 90 minutes. First, I simply became accustomed to the once-intrusive utterances. Then, as the movie approached its conclusion where the audience observed the profoundly empowering effect that the protagonist's Tourette’s camps provided on many participants, I experienced modest and extremely fortunate to experience this event alongside individuals with firsthand knowledge not just in a fictional setting – even though the lead actor's portrayal as Davidson stood out and in my view, deserving of recognition.

I have experienced similar experiences while watching films in the past – viewing The King’s Speech with an acquaintance with a stammer and their speech therapist wife, or bumping into real ex-soldiers of the Normandy landings in the foyer after Saving Private Ryan – but this was on another level. It resembled an enhanced viewing, however rather than physical effects and splashes touching viewers, the people were present alongside declaring, “This isn’t just entertainment. It reflects my life.” And then using foul language. An example phrase.

An Uplifting Outcome

Therefore I refrained from objecting. As the film ended, I actually went and thanked the teenager – aged 14 – along with Mark, his father, for the honor of their presence, which undoubtedly made our experience more meaningful than it would have been. Afterwards talked for a while then snapped a photo as a group – when the group exclaimed a curse alongside the boy.

Final Thoughts

It is urged that people to go and see this remarkable movie and if you’re lucky enough to be sharing the cinema with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim