Tourette’s

WHEN the DaviesMonk family go out for a pizza, it can prove rather more stressful than the average meal out. Teenager Spencer may start shouting swear words, while little Lewis, aged nine, could make offensive remarks about other diners. Before long, the family usually cut short their meal and leave.

Both boys have Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder expressed in uncontrollable physical and verbal tics.

“Tourette’s is like your little buddy, who’s annoying, but he’s part of you,” says 13-year-old Spencer.

Their mum Hayley says: “We’ve had people screaming and telling me I’m a horrendous parent.”

Dad Richard remembers when his sons were “just like any other kids”, mild-mannered, well-behaved and polite. But when Spencer was seven, he started sniffing and snorting uncontrollably, a classic early sign.

Swearing with Tourette’s is rare, but within a year it was clear that Spencer was one of the 10%.

Then there was a double whammy when aged five, Lewis started to tic too.

“Friends disappeared, we felt quite alienated,” says Hayley, who says they have spent years hiding away.

This eye-opening, inspiring and sometimes emotional documentary follows the family as they embark on ‘coming out’ to the world, eating out and even going abroad.

But when your child might shout “I’ve got a bomb” while going through airport security, every new adventure presents a challenge.

You will have huge admiration for them. Hayley says: “We’re never embarrassed by our children,” while Richard adds: “It’s vitally important that we don’t hide away. We’re proud of who we are.”