THE mother of a 12-year-old boy with Tourette’s syndrome is backing calls for John Davidson of Galashiels to be honoured for his efforts in raising awareness of the neurological disorder.

Lisa Brown was responding to a wave of positive social media comments in the wake of the recent transmission of the BBC documentary “Tourette’s Teenage Tics”.

The film charts the relationship between Lisa’s son Rory, a first year student at Jedburgh Grammar, and 45-year-old John, the caretaker of the Langlee Community Centre.

Both share the most severe form of a condition which manifests itself in involuntary tics and bursts of uncontrollable swearing.

The film, currently available on BBC I Player and due for a BBC1 network screening next month, shows how John has assumed a supportive mentoring role with Rory, advocating on the youngster’s behalf with his teachers and local police officers.

And it features flashbacks to the first of four documentaries featuring John when he cut an isolated and distraught figure as a teenage pupil of Galashiels Academy in 1989.

Since then, John has become an awareness raising champion for Tourette’s.

He founded a Borders Support Group, aimed at helping the families of sufferers, back in 2003 and organises annual residential get-togethers in Galashiels.

A review of the new film after it was screened online earlier this month generated over 400 ‘likes’ on the Border Telegraph’s Facebook page.

And many of the comments called for John to be honoured.

“It was great! John deserves an award for the work he is doing,” said Craig Turnbull.

Lee Green commented: “John definitely deserves recognition for the work he does raising awareness of Tourette’s…”

John Cummings wrote: “Sportsmen get knighted [and] it’s a joke. People like John Davidson and people who dedicate themselves and their lives to helping others are the people who deserve honours like that. John has educated millions of people on Tourette’s and the hard life it can bring with it.”

William Bell stated: “When I see the Honours list every year, I always think John should be on there. Great guy and I’m proud to say a colleague for 11 years.”

And Wayne Mcintosh opined: “I agree with all the comments about him receiving an award for the work he is doing. I was saying at work he should be knighted…”

Lisa Brown told the Border Telegraph this week: "I echo each and every call that has been made for John Davidson to receive an honour.

“For decades now he has supported people with Tourette’s and their families as well as raising awareness of the condition throughout the world.

“John is a very modest man and would never blow his own trumpet but I’m in no doubt he has saved lives over the years with his advice and support.

“He really deserves some recognition for the selfless work he has done and I won't be surprised if it happens sooner rather than later."

John Davidson said this week he was “humbled” by the comments.

“It’s people like Lisa and their families who are the real heroes as they fight for acceptance and tolerance of Tourette’s every day,” he told us.

“I am, however, humbled to get such a positive response. I am just a human being who wants to help others and I have never thought about getting any acknowledgement or reward.

“However, if I was to receive an award I would gratefully accept it and be totally flattered not just for myself but for everyone in the Tourette’s family. Any publicity is always welcome.”