Spotlight on Tourette's: Scottish Borders Council's HQ lit up to raise awareness of neurological condition
Last updated 8th Jun 2026
A Galashiels caretaker whose struggles with Tourette's inspired a BAFTA-winning movie says it has helped transform public understanding of the neurological condition.
John Davidson revealed he was left speechless after visiting his hometown cinema following the release of 'I Swear'.
"We just wanted to go in and thank people for coming along to watch the movie, but I couldn't talk because the audience had just stood up and were giving me a standing ovation," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"It went on for about two or three minutes. It was amazing. I did not expect that. That's when I knew we'd cracked it. We'd got the message out there."
The 55-year-old was invited - along with other members of the Tourette's community - to Newtown St Boswells last night (Sunday), as Scottish Borders Council turned its headquarters TEAL to mark Tourette's Awareness Day.
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It's hoped the show of solidarity will help reduce the stigma around the condition, and promote social inclusion.
"I've lived in the Scottish Borders all my life, and I never thought that this day would ever come," John reflected. "All the way through my schooling I was misunderstood." But he added: "People seem to be getting the message now."
Last month, John - who was awarded an MBE in 2019 in recognition of his work to raise awareness of Tourette's and support others with the condition - was crowned Community Champion, along with long-time supporter Dottie Achenbach, by the Rotary Club in his hometown of Galashiels.
He said: "I'm still getting messages from all over the world from people who've seen the film. It has managed to catapult us forward in raising awareness and understanding. It's been amazing."
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Mr Davidson welcomed Scottish Borders Council's support for awareness-raising efforts and its commitment to helping young people with Tourette syndrome in schools across the region.
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Speaking at the event, Ms Achenbach - a mental health nurse, played by actress Maxine Peake in I Swear - said the film had changed the way people react to Mr Davidson.
"Since the film, we get positive reactions from people, whereas before it was always negative reactions," she said.
"John's had a few health scares and had to go to hospital recently. People used to be quite offended, but now they come up, shake his hand and congratulate him on the film."
Tourette's Awareness Day is held annually on June 7th, with Tourette's Awareness Month running from May 15th to June 15th.
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