Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

What Not to Say

Watch: Northern Irish teenager with Tourette's Syndrome shouts "bomb" compulsively on a plane

17-year-old Lewis Nickell was only recently diagnosed with the syndrome, now he deals with it by posting videos of his condition online.

lewis Lewis Nickell Facebook Facebook

THERE ARE SOME things that people in modern society know instinctively not to say when in certain places.

Saying the words ‘bomb’ or ‘terrorist’ when in any sort of proximity to either an airport or an airplane are very definitely on that list.

For 17-year-old Northern Irish teenager Lewis Nickell saying such things isn’t a choice, it’s a compulsion associated with being diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome just nine months ago.

But Lewis deals with these things in a very healthy way – he’s been documenting what it’s like to live with the illness in a series of videos online, most of which have gone mega-viral with views in the millions on his Facebook page.

And this video documenting a recent trip with his brother Terry by plane from Belfast to Leeds is no exception:

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Yes, that’s Lewis shouting “bomb” and “I’m a terrorist” repeatedly at Belfast Airport, through security, in a restaurant, and then finally on the plane itself. As he acknowledges ruefully at the start of the video: “this is going to be a long-ass day”.

Shouting inappropriate things depending upon the situation is one of the more well-known side effects of Tourette’s, as are compulsive, repeated nervous tics.

It all worked out ok though – the airport security staff let Lewis through and the in-flight staff were pretty understanding all things considered.

You can see more of Lewis’ videos which seek to spreak awareness of Tourette’s Syndrome, on his Facebook page.

Read: “That felt like Christmas day” – blind woman sees for first time in five years thanks to ‘bionic eye’

Read: Trailer Watch: Which movie should you go see this weekend?:

Your Voice
Readers Comments
27
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.