Tourettes Hero Co- Artistic Director Jess Thom Shares Her Disability Journey | Fighting for Inclusion
Jess Thom, co-artistic director of award-winning disability arts organization Tourettes Hero, candidly discusses her personal experiences growing up with Tourette's Syndrome and the discrimination she faced in school. In this impactful interview, Jess talks about:
Her Tourette's diagnosis journey and learning to embrace her tics
The importance of inclusive, understanding environments for disabled people. Starting Tourettes Hero to change attitudes and empower the disabled community. Using humor as a powerful tool to challenge perceptions about disability. Fighting fears around needing care and support as a disabled person. Lack of authentic disability representation in media and culture. Staging thought-provoking show "Backstage in Biscuitland" to highlight inequality in the arts Importance of social care for living a fulfilling, independent life. Creating more accessible cultural spaces and events
Frustration around misconceptions concerning disability provisions. How to get involved with Tourettes Hero and be an ally. With radical wit and wisdom, Jess gives a unique, eye-opening perspective on disability rights and why now is the time for greater inclusion worldwide.
Tourettes Hero Co- Artistic Director Jess Thom Shares Her Disability Journey | Fighting for Inclusion
Jess Thom, co-artistic director of award-winning disability arts organization Tourettes Hero, candidly discusses her personal experiences growing up with Tourette's Syndrome and the discrimination she faced in school. In this impactful interview, Jess talks about:
Her Tourette's diagnosis journey and learning to embrace her tics
The importance of inclusive, understanding environments for disabled people. Starting Tourettes Hero to change attitudes and empower the disabled community. Using humor as a powerful tool to challenge perceptions about disability. Fighting fears around needing care and support as a disabled person. Lack of authentic disability representation in media and culture. Staging thought-provoking show "Backstage in Biscuitland" to highlight inequality in the arts Importance of social care for living a fulfilling, independent life. Creating more accessible cultural spaces and events
Frustration around misconceptions concerning disability provisions. How to get involved with Tourettes Hero and be an ally. With radical wit and wisdom, Jess gives a unique, eye-opening perspective on disability rights and why now is the time for greater inclusion worldwide.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Growing up with Tourettes
03:01 When your Friends don’t see you as your disability
04:26 Tourettes and School
05:39 Oppositional Impulses
09:26 People think they know Tourettes, they don’t
11:53 What was it like getting diagnosed
12:51 My Ticks Intensified
16:10 Where did Tourettes Hero come from
20:31 Biggest Challenge with Tourettes Hero
25:20 Making our own Business
30:10 Burnout
33:11 Work is Urgent!
34:47 I don’t need care but then I do
37:13 The Eco Chamber
40:15 The Super Hero Line
44:11 Biscuitland
49:06 What is a Relaxed Performance
51:27 The Final Question
54:34 Where to find Tourettes Hero
Touretteshero links
website:www.touretteshero.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/touretteshero/?hl=en
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/touretteshero
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/touretteshero/
X https://twitter.com/#!/touretteshero/
Follow us on :
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n_q_p_c/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@n_q_p_c?lang=en
Website: https://www.nqpc.co.uk/
Listen to the podcast on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7GG1WLjyWxTFb4fd9GbJeT?si=d14f5c370b374dc7
Google Podcast https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84MjQwNTQ3MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw?ep=14
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-not-quite-podcast/id1618677301
