海角直播

University project highlights Tourette syndrome

The medical condition Tourette syndrome is in the headlines, due to the Channel 4 hit programme Big Brother. Pete Bennett, one of the programme鈥檚 finalists and current bookie鈥檚 favourite to win this Friday, is affected by Tourettes. Millions of viewers have seen how he deals with the condition each day, and heard him describe its effects on his childhood and teenage years.

University of 海角直播 graduate Sarah MacKenzie has produced a campaign to raise awareness of Tourettes, as part of her final-year project. Sarah has achieved a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and submitted her campaign to the Tourette Syndrome (UK) Association, who are considering her ideas and designs. Sarah, 22, from Acklam, Middlesbrough, devised her campaign before the start of this year鈥檚 Big Brother. Sarah said: 鈥淚鈥檇 seen some programmes about people affected by Tourettes, including Tourettes Camp. They intrigued me; I wondered why people behaved in this way? Some people call it the swearing disease. However, as I researched into the condition I found out that less than 30 per cent of people affected by Tourettes have the swearing tic, known as Coprolalia. There are other symptoms such as sniffing, grunting or making animal sounds.鈥�

Sarah鈥檚 campaign is aimed at the general public. It includes posters clearly listing the symptoms, coasters, a t-shirt. In addition, there is an information booklet for people newly diagnosed with Tourettes and their friends and family. Unusually, the campaign also includes a balloon.

Sarah explained: 鈥淭he ticks that some people with Tourettes display is due to a pressure release. So the balloon is demonstrating that release. If the campaign is taken up, I鈥檇 like to see it on billboards, bus shelters, anywhere and everywhere to get as much awareness as possible. I鈥檇 like people to understand why people affected by Tourettes have certain symptoms, that they can鈥檛 help it.

鈥淲hen I first heard a person affected by Tourettes was going to be on Big Brother, I didn鈥檛 think it would be the right thing to do. From what I鈥檝e seen of the programme, though, I was wrong. I think the programme makers have treated Pete sympathetically, he鈥檚 a likeable person who is raising awareness of the condition.鈥�

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