In this chapter, we investigate the complex relationship between comedy and Tourette Syndrome (TS), examining how humour can both reinforce and challenge societal stigma. Through interviews with individuals with Tourette’s, humour about the condition emerged as an unsolicited topic, that was nevertheless integral to their experiences of stigmatisation. Many expressed that these jokes, though often dismissed as insignificant, are more socially acceptable than humour targeting other disabilities. This unsolicited emphasis on humour reveals a cultural tendency to trivialise TS, perpetuating stereotypes that position it as a “lesser disability.” Even when not intended to be harmful, such humour contributes to the marginalisation of people with Tourette’s by reinforcing misconceptions and minimising the challenges they may face. Historically, humour has been weaponised against those with Tourette’s, serving as a subtle means of perpetuating ableist attitudes. However, we also explore comedy's potential as a tool for empowerment. The narratives of five comedians with Tourette’s, highlights how subversive humour, particularly through stand-up comedy, can be used to reclaim agency and confront stigma. These performers integrate their personal experiences into their acts, using satire to critique societal reactions to TS and to challenge the stereotypes that persist in public discourse. By turning the spotlight on the absurdities of everyday life and society’s responses to TS, these comedians transform laughter into an instrument of awareness and empathy. Their performances not only offer a counter-narrative to the stigmatising humour that prevails in mainstream culture but also encourage audiences to reevaluate their perceptions of TS and disability. In doing so, they demonstrate how comedy can move beyond reinforcing harmful narratives to become a medium for fostering understanding and driving social change. We therefore illustrate the dual role of humour in shaping public perceptions of TS and the potential for comedy to serve as a catalyst for challenging ableist ideologies.

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Tourette’s Stigma and Comedy

  • Melina Aikaterini Malli,
  • Rachel Forrester-Jones

摘要

In this chapter, we investigate the complex relationship between comedy and Tourette Syndrome (TS), examining how humour can both reinforce and challenge societal stigma. Through interviews with individuals with Tourette’s, humour about the condition emerged as an unsolicited topic, that was nevertheless integral to their experiences of stigmatisation. Many expressed that these jokes, though often dismissed as insignificant, are more socially acceptable than humour targeting other disabilities. This unsolicited emphasis on humour reveals a cultural tendency to trivialise TS, perpetuating stereotypes that position it as a “lesser disability.” Even when not intended to be harmful, such humour contributes to the marginalisation of people with Tourette’s by reinforcing misconceptions and minimising the challenges they may face. Historically, humour has been weaponised against those with Tourette’s, serving as a subtle means of perpetuating ableist attitudes. However, we also explore comedy's potential as a tool for empowerment. The narratives of five comedians with Tourette’s, highlights how subversive humour, particularly through stand-up comedy, can be used to reclaim agency and confront stigma. These performers integrate their personal experiences into their acts, using satire to critique societal reactions to TS and to challenge the stereotypes that persist in public discourse. By turning the spotlight on the absurdities of everyday life and society’s responses to TS, these comedians transform laughter into an instrument of awareness and empathy. Their performances not only offer a counter-narrative to the stigmatising humour that prevails in mainstream culture but also encourage audiences to reevaluate their perceptions of TS and disability. In doing so, they demonstrate how comedy can move beyond reinforcing harmful narratives to become a medium for fostering understanding and driving social change. We therefore illustrate the dual role of humour in shaping public perceptions of TS and the potential for comedy to serve as a catalyst for challenging ableist ideologies.