An innovative Tourette’s Syndrome sufferer is embracing new technology in his drive to make life better for people living with the condition.
Paul Stevenson from Scremerston has devised a QR code holding information about the condition and how it manifests, and added it to the back of his Tourette’s Action identity card.
Now he is discussing the idea with the Tourette’s Action charity with a view to rolling it out for others living with the condition.
“I started thinking about this one day after I made a gesture at a police man,” said Paul, who developed Tourette’s suddenly at the age of 46 following the death of a good friend.
“When I go out my tics attract attention. The policeman came over and challenged me - he was very polite and I was able to explain myself, but if I was in an agitated situation I might have reacted in a different way.
“There was a guy in Northern Ireland who got arrested for his tics. The CPS built up a case against him. When it got to court they threw it out, but the process went on for six months of his life. It’s awful to think of the stress and anxiety he had to live with, plus how much money the whole thing cost.
“I know the police have only got a small window to decide if you are a threat or not but that could have been easily rectified at the station if they scanned his ID card and saw that his actions were part of his condition.”
“John Davidson from Galashiels and I were thinking what if that happened to us or some one we know?”
Paul came up with the QR code idea and has added a code containing his personal details to his own ID card.
“We spoke to some officers over at Gala and they thought it was a good idea,” he said.
“I have got confidence to go out when I have got that card. It’s only a prototype but the feedback has been unbelievable.”
The novel idea was featured on BBC One’s Inside Out programme on Monday, and was well received. “I got a message from a woman in Australia afterwards saying where can I get one of those cards, so there’s obviously a need for it,” Paul said.
“I don’t know where it’s going to go or if Tourettes Action will take it up, but I’m having a meeting with the directors to discuss it further.
“It might be that it’s an optional thing that you can have added to your card. Whether it’s a QR code, a bar code, microchip - it’s not a badge of shame you have to wear on your lapel or anything.
“It can help you feel confident because if you find yourself in a difficult situation, people can quickly access information about the condition that’s personal to you.”
For more information about the condition and the support that is available go to www.tourettes-action.org.uk