A young Derry man has taken part in a TV programme to highlight a debilitating condition which dominates his life.

Damian Friel Curran suffers from a disorder which he believes to be Tourettes.

This leads to involuntary sudden movements and vocal outbursts which often involve obscene language.

Damian, who is 23 years-old, has suffered from the disorder for the last two years, although he believes the cause may stretch back to his childhood.

His symptoms have still not been officially diagnosed but he is convinced that it is Tourettes.

In a bid to raise awareness of the problems suffered by himself and other Tourettes sufferers, Damian agreed to take part in a documentary with TV presenter Stephen Nolan, as part of BBC Northern Ireland’s Story of a Lifetime.

The programme will be screened on BBC One Northern Ireland on Wednesday night at 10.35pm.

Damian, who is from Ballymagroarty in Derry but is currently for a degree in mental health in Brighton, said it was difficult dealing with people’s responses to his condition.

“My friends and family obviously know about it and how to handle it,” he said.

“However, it can be difficult when I am out socializing.

“I get a lot of stares from people if I say something offensive and it can be difficult to cope with.”

Friends of the Derry man contacted the BBC about doing a documentary on Damian’s condition.

After being contacted by Stephen Nolan, Damian said he was happy to take part in the programme.

“I have always been very open about talking about my disorder and mental health issues.

“I thinks it’s important to raise awareness of these type of issues so that people are more aware of the conditions involved.

“I took part in the filming for the programme up until around January of this year."

Damian’s story will be the first in a series of five programmes hosted by Stephen Nolan as part of the Story of a Lifetime series.

Damian opens up to Nolan about his struggles to come to terms with his condition; the general public’s reactions when they meet him; the detrimental impact it had on his life; helping others with Tourette’s and raising awareness of it and how he is looking to the future with optimism and positivity.

During the series, Nolan will also focus on the life of Kate Walmsely, who was sexually abused as a child at Nazareth House Children's Home in Derry.

The other people featured in the series will be Charlie Lawson, star of Coronation Street whose life behind the scenes reads more like one of his storylines; Calum Best, son of legendary footballer George, who talks frankly about his own struggles with alcohol and his strained relationship with the rest family; and Jim McDowell, editor of one of Northern Ireland’s most controversial newspapers who talks openly about living under the threat of death from both republicans and loyalists.

Stephen Nolan said he was delighted to be involved in the programmmes.

“One of the things I find the most rewarding in my job is getting to hear from and meet ordinary people who have gone through extraordinary - and often devastating - life events and lived to tell the tale,” he said.

“What we’ve been able to do here, which we can’t always do on the live programmes, is give these people a proper chance to tell their personal version of life-changing events.
 
“Not one of these stories is the same but each one is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

“It was a privilege to spend time in the company of these people and I think audiences will find their strength and bravery as humbling and awe-inspiring as I did.”

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