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Employable Me

(9 Posts)
HannahLoisLuke Sat 26-Mar-16 07:42:04

Did anyone else watch this programme about people with various disabilities trying to get a job?
This week concentrated on Brett, autistic and Paul a middle aged man with severe Tourrettes syndrome.
It was truly heartwarming, I shed a tear at the end.

I do have a question though if any GNs know about these things. Why is it that most people suffering with Tourrettes always burst out with swear words, why not other words? Only once have I heard a lady on the radio whose tick was the word "biscuit".
I know the ticks are involuntary but why nearly always swearing, often accompanied by rude gestures?

LullyDully Sat 26-Mar-16 08:47:04

I have wondered that too, but that how it is seemingly. Shock element must be part of the disorder.

petra Sat 26-Mar-16 08:51:08

It made me cry too. If you have a Kindle you can download, for free, the book, Biscuit, by the lady that was on the radio. It's very good.

rosesarered Sat 26-Mar-16 09:00:25

Yes, it was very moving wasn't it, so pleased they both found something they could do, Brett in IT and Paul and his wonderful photography.
with Tourettes, a lot of people do say shocking things, and that's why they need somebody with them in a busy street say.I wonder if when on his own in the countryside taking pics, Paul has less tics?

rosesarered Sat 26-Mar-16 09:01:05

Thanks Petra I will look for that on Kindle.

Jane10 Sat 26-Mar-16 09:27:53

TV programmes only want to include the extremes. They're not interested in more mainstream people. This is so frustrating. All the documentaries on the extremely rare cases of people with ASD who have incredible skills in music or drawing are a case in point. I've met so many parents who have asked "Where's my child's special talent? They've not got one so it can't be Autism". TV is entertainment for the masses. I'm never certain about presenting vulnerable people as a sort of spectacle. Most of the adults with Autism that I've worked with are working in a wide variety of jobs and professions. These people have a lot to offer. Most are undiagnosed and quietly getting on with life. TV isn't interested in them. Just as well!

petra Sat 26-Mar-16 19:29:18

Jane10. Don't you think that maybe these programmes are 'educating' some people? There are thousands of people who never have any interaction with disabled people and maybe have the impression that they're not capable of anything worthy.

POGS Sun 27-Mar-16 10:02:09

Hannah

I have not watched the programme but I am catching up with some TV and I watched Gogglebox and it showed a little clipse from it. I thought it looked really interesting and the response from those viewing was not in any way condescending or rude , infact quite the opposite there were a few emotive tears there too .

I shall endeavour to watch Employable Me as the little clip I watched was such a joy to view.

Jane10 Sun 27-Mar-16 10:30:55

petra I know what you mean. I had thought it could be useful too until I was approached by the company behind 'One Born'. They were wanting to do a programme on adults with ASD. The researcher came along to one of our groups. After spending the pm with us I was politely informed that they weren't going to go ahead with filming our guys because, basically, they didn't appear odd enough or display sufficiently odd behaviour. Everyday Autism just wasn't what they wanted.