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:
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.
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