John Davidson has gone part-time as a caretaker as I Swear brings new international attention to his life and Tourette’s campaigning.
John Davidson has reduced his hours at his long-held caretaker job as renewed attention from a film about his life draws him deeper into Tourette’s awareness work.
The 55-year-old Galashiels janitor, whose story is told in the Bafta-winning film I Swear , now splits his time between work and campaigning. Since the film’s international release, Davidson said hundreds of people with Tourette’s syndrome and supporters from around the world have contacted him.
“It’s bizarre that people thousands and thousands of miles away feel they know me well enough from either watching the film or seeing me on television to get in touch,” he said.
Davidson, who has involuntary tics, was made an MBE in 2019 for nearly four decades of campaigning and support for others with the neurodevelopmental condition. He said the film has created an international conversation about Tourette’s, with people contacting him from the United States, Africa, China and India.
The attention has also brought difficult moments. At the Bafta Film Awards in February, where I Swear won three awards, Davidson shouted a racist slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. Davidson later said he was “deeply mortified,” and both Bafta and the BBC issued apologies.
Davidson said the months since the film’s release had been demanding but worthwhile, adding that he believes “an awful lot of good” is now coming from the wider attention.
People close to him say the film has changed how some members of the public respond to his tics. Dottie Achenbach, who has supported Davidson since he was a teenager and is portrayed by Maxine Peake in the film, said hospital visits that once drew anger or tutting now often bring handshakes and praise.
Davidson was guest of honour this week at a Tourette’s awareness event at Scottish Borders Council’s headquarters, where local children with the condition joined a ceremony to light the building in teal, the campaign colour. Organiser Hannah Hawthorn said the event was meant to encourage visibility, understanding and kindness toward people living with Tourette’s syndrome.
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