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Which activities might religious leaders engage in in their spare time? Last week, I went accompanied by a couple of companions, each fellow vicars, to watch a new movie named I Swear. Based on the preview, I understood which it focused on an individual experiencing Tourette's. However, what I didn’t realize turned out to be the fact it depicted a true-life figure: the subject, that appeared in a 1989 film and was awarded an MBE in recognition of his campaigns to educate society regarding Tourette's and help those affected.

Exploring Tourette's

Prior to this documentary, many individuals did not known about TS. Nearly four decades later, everybody roughly understands what it is, yet it’s still treated as comic material – particularly within comedy shows.

Based on previews, it appeared which this movie was going to try to balance through both leveraging the clear funny moments of someone uttering socially awkward words during unexpected moments and attempting to further the protagonist's mission in educating the public in a respectful and sensitive approach. It is hoped it’s not revealing too much to state it was successful in both aspects – but obviously this became clear by the end.

An Unexpected Theater Incident

As the film began, a young man seated ahead of us suddenly shouted out multiple profanities. At first, it appeared this was a joke – although one in very poor taste. Yet, it quickly became apparent which this was a real-life person diagnosed with Tourette's: a teenager accompanied by his father.

While the movie progressed, the same with the boy – with no obvious response by neither the parent nor anybody among the viewers. I felt a bit conflicted. Clearly, it was a big deal for the boy and his father to watch the no doubt incredibly difficult daily reality portrayed on the big screen, so I felt glad which they got this experience. Yet was it acceptable that I and everyone else in the cinema struggled to follow the audio because of this? Would the cinema have been able to put on an exclusive showing – as several theaters often provide for individuals with special needs usually?

An Ethical Dilemma

I’m ashamed to confess which I really thought about saying something – however, not directly to them himself (I’m not heartless), instead to staff of the cinema. Yet, each of the author's obviously more charitable colleagues seemed to have resigned themselves with the situation. Plus, lurking in my thoughts was the fictional yet memorable episode from the TV series when a character's Andy Millman complains regarding a young person causing a disturbance in a restaurant, not realizing which the child has Down’s syndrome. He barely survived the ensuing bad press – so my objection would have been far worse because I was aware the teenager could not had no choice.

A Profound Realization

Luckily, my conscience took over and an amazing thing occurred over the following 90 minutes. Initially, I just became accustomed to the initially distracting noise. Later, as the film built to a peak and the audience observed the incredibly liberating effect which Davidson’s Tourette’s camps provided on numerous individuals, I felt modest as well as deeply honored to be sharing this moment with people who had real experience not just as actors – although Robert Aramayo’s acting in the role was excellent and in my view, award-worthy.

I have experienced similar experiences in the cinema before – watching The King’s Speech with an acquaintance with a stammer and their language pathologist wife, alternatively bumping into actual veterans of the Normandy landings in the lobby following Saving Private Ryan – yet this was far more impactful. It was like an immersive experience, however rather than physical effects and sprays of water hitting you in the face, the characters were sitting alongside declaring, “This goes beyond a movie. This is my truth.” And then cursing. An example phrase.

An Uplifting Outcome

So no complaint was made. When the film ended, I actually went and thanked the young man – who was 14 – and Mark, guardian, for the gift of being there, which undoubtedly enriched the film even more profound compared to it would have been. Next conversed at length and captured a memory as a group – at that moment the group yelled a rude word to support Joe.

Closing Insights

It is urged that everyone to view this remarkable film and should the opportunity arises to be in the same theater with a person experiencing Tourette's, {don’t be a nim