>be John Davidson
>born 1971
>Galashiels, Scotland
>working class family in the Scottish Borders
>football-mad kid
>just wants to be a goalkeeper
1983:
>you're 12
>a scout is coming to watch you play
>this is your shot
>then something happens
>your body starts doing things you can't control
>tics
>involuntary vocalisations
>noises you didn't choose
>head teacher's response: whip your hands with a belt
>you perform badly
>dad leaves shortly after
>you walk into a river
>you're 12
school:
>no diagnosis
>no framework
>just a kid who "can't behave"
>mocked daily
>leave at 16
>no qualifications
>the world has decided what you are
1989:
>BBC comes to Galashiels
>films your life
>"John's Not Mad"
>airs nationally
>some people feel compassion
>most kids use it as ammunition
>your face becomes shorthand for mockery in playgrounds across the country
>you know this
>you keep going
the wilderness years:
>no diagnosis until you're 25
>25 years old before anyone gives it a name
>you've been living it for over a decade without language for it
>you get a job
>caretaker at Langlee Community Centre
>you stay there your whole working life
the turn:
>a family is referred to you
>their daughter has Tourette's
>she's struggling
>you start hosting workshops
>schools
>police stations
>you explain what it means to live in a body people don't understand
>unpaid
>for years
>because nobody did it for you
2019:
>Holyrood Palace
>the Queen is about to give you an MBE
>you shout "Fuck the Queen"
>directly at her
>she reacts with complete calm and kindness
>the kid the belt hit
>gets a medal
2025:
>a film about your life premieres at Toronto International Film Festival
>"I Swear"
>six BAFTA nominations
February 2026:
>you're in the auditorium
>watching a film about your life
>your Tourette's doesn't stop for the occasion
>it never has
>mid-ceremony your tics ring out across the room
>and on the live broadcast
>as Black actors take the stage
>you shout a racial slur
>involuntarily
>uncontrollably
>you leave early
>you know you're causing distress
>you've known that feeling your whole life
>Jamie Foxx goes on Instagram
>"Nah he meant that s**t"
>"Out of all the words you could've said Tourette's makes you say that"
>the internet piles on
>thousands outraged at a man who cannot control what comes out of his mouth
>the film that explains exactly this wins three BAFTAs that same night
>including Best Actor
>the room got it
>the internet did not
>because the internet didn't watch the film
see -- Every founder, artist, activist, author, coach or ANYONE who wants to change the world should take note:
Stop apologising for who you are.
Be the change you want to see.
A minute's applause takes place prior to kick-off as we pay our respects to Saints legend Jimmy Bone who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Our thoughts are with Jimmy's loved ones. RIP.
St Mirren Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Bone at the age of 75.
After a career that saw him turn out at the likes of Partick Thistle, Norwich City, Sheffield United, Celtic and Arbroath, Jimmy joined Saints in 1978. Appointed club captain by Jim Clunie, Jimmy was part of the side that won the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1980 and made 174 appearances before departing for Hong Kong in 1982.
Jimmy returned to the club in a coaching capacity in December 1986, joining up as Alex Smithโs assistant manager as the pair helped lead Saints to Scottish Cup glory in 1987.
He would return to the club again in 1992, this time as manager, where he would take charge of 182 games before leaving in 1996.
In 2017, Jimmy was inducted into the St Mirren Hall of Fame for his contributions to the club as player, coach and manager.
The thoughts of everyone at St Mirren are with Jimmyโs loved ones at this sad time.