Shane Fistell: A Portrait of Tourette Syndrome

Director Gloria Kim opens a window into the life of Shane Fistell, a man who has coped with Tourette Syndrome for all of his life.
Executive Creative Direction: Helen Pak, Brian Sheppard, Brett Channer Agency Producer: Matt Shipp Producer: Thomas Hayek Editor: Ryan Hunt Music/Sound: Brian Bernard, Thomas Hayek Director: Gloria Ui Young Kim Director of Photography: Daniel Grant Executive Producer: Tom Symes Music Composer: Darren Fung Ad Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Canada

[@seonaidanderson360]

What a marvellous person! I am the research manager at Tourettes Action in the UK and we will definitely be sharing this video on our website. this is something we want people with TS to see to understand that we all are what we are and TS is part of that but also to educate others to be kind and learn more about people and what TS is. Well done for sharing your story to people all over the world. very best wishes Seonaid

[@rickyn50]

Shane, Meeting you in Toronto all those years ago with Nedda was an extraordinary moment for me. You represented Tourettes for me, I had never met anyone who coped with this syndrome before. You may be long winded, but you are quite the ambassador for your community. Bravo!

[@shanefistell8890]

Hello Martyn, How are you?

[@MyLauren224]

Shane... I have no words - only thoughts and feelings that accompany a mother in love with a daughter who shares a bond with you; heartbreaking and beautiful. I believe in my heart you have something to share with my daughter, Lori. Please continue to keep in touch with her - even though it is so often difficult for her to have a comprehensive conversation with the severity of her vocal tics.

[@MyLauren224]

(cont'd) She is my heart, yet I fear I have failed to help her accept - even embrace - this all encompassing disorder she has lived with since 6 yrs. old. I am worried that she is giving up; she has changed so drastically lately. A vivacious girl; active, funny and social; has now retreated now where she hardly leaves her home. You are an inspiration to her and so many other living with TS.

[@mollygrahamguelph]

What a fantastic documentary, thank you to both Gloria and Shane for sharing this inspiring and uplifting story!

[@palmerking6981]

Having Tourette's, this made me almost cry.

[@Psyolopher]

me2

[@evrtwilight]

What a brave person to be able to put it all out there! This is a great documentary and I'm so glad it's been shared with me. I hope this will continue to be shared!

[@lilianwriterMemoirs]

Dear Shane, Thank you for letting us all see your compelling video. Those lucky kids who get to study karate with you! What a great teacher you are, I can see that in these few shots of your class. Shame on those who try to make your life miserable. They will not succeed, because you are stronger than they are. Congratulations, and I wish you all the good things, forever. Sincerely, Lilian

[@prestonbramley4724]

Thank you!! You have truly inspired me and showed me someone to look up to when I needed it most. Thank you

[@shanefistell8890]

Hello Preston. I'm glad that I've inspired somebody. Thanks for your comment.

[@vraimentjodi]

As a woman with Tourette Syndrome, watching this was like looking in a mirror. Monday, April 7th...I have a service dog arriving :) I m hoping that like you did with Karate, I can find some escape from my home. I am also an artist :) THANK YOU for this video. Sincerely.

[@shanefistell8890]

Hello Jodi!

[@lisharuan5417]

Inspiring. Shane is so brave.

[@shanefistell8890]

Hello Risha, Thank you for your comment!

[@plknrg1]

I was in a documentary about Shane back in the 90’s and he and I connected. I so desire to find him and reconnect.

[@mdanno40]

Shane - you won't remember me; however, I met you briefly at Camp Winston (YEARS ago). We were introduced by Andrew Farmer , who was working there at the time. Just today, I wrote him and said, "random thought: I still remember Shane-- great artist..." Andrew followed up with this video. Very, very cool video, about a well-spoken man and artist.

[@shanefistell8890]

Hi Mike, How are you? Thank you for your comment.

[@rebcca936]

Shane your the best! Seriously

[@cfishist]

"All people should be out in the world". Our perception of that phrase that has been altered by 2020.

[@meee4217]

This guy is amazing.

[@JJmoony]

Love you man! Your the most interesting person ever man, I saw the Oliver sacks documentary, you did earlyier,. man I want your pulling technique. Take care You are Unique, thanks

[@NotABanana]

I wish I could meet Shane

[@421whitney]

I have Tourette’s myself but it’s nowhere near as bad as this… I would consider mine a minor case with mainly just tics...But I can’t tell you how horrible it feels because you can’t help but have to do it. If you don’t do it you feels like you’re going to go insane. It is an exhausting disease with no cure… The treatment with medications bring horrible side effects. I urge everyone to support medicinal marijuana especially when it comes to things like this. That is what helps mine but I don’t live in a legal state. So I have to take Clonopin… An addicting benzo ,much worse than marijuana… But I have to take it if I want to be able to work and live a normal life. Risperdal is hell.. HORRIBLE side effects... clonopin doesn’t give me any side effects except addiction...Cannabis is not just for cancer patients and it needs to stop being only considered for severe diseases. There’s many mental disorders that cannabis helps and people need to realize this. If you haven’t experienced the agony of going through something like this , then what right do you have to judge any kind of treatment… Especially one that is natural and safer than the chemical drugs given by Pharmacy’s or Drs

[@claudiaj9665]

I met Shane years ago when he was in New York City to attend a screening of Twitch & Shout. As an artist myself, I was impressed by his work and fascinated how his Tourettes went on pause when he painted. Hope all is well, Shane: Regards from Claudia in NYC.

[@shanefistell8890]

Hi Claudia!

[@katerievans]

What an inspirational Documentary. Does Anyone know how to purchase his art. ???

[@PercivalBlakeney]

Hardest thing to do is deal with an enemy who's got outposts inside your own brain. ADHD, Asperger's, Schizo-Affective Disorder... &c. &c. The human brain is manufactured by unskilled labour, and quality control isn't the greatest. We're lucky to have the sanity we've got. 😔

[@MylesR33]

I know Shane lots of mutual people he knows. He knows about my misunderstood of Tourette Syndrome just like him. Shane is my boy. He been in all my social media friends list for years. LOVE this video. The world would appreciate Shane and what we go through so much BS living with TS. National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month May 15 thru June 15, 2022 International Tourettes Awareness Day this June 7, 2022 Be Aware 1LUV 💚💙

[@gaylecheung3087]

Hey Shane ♥️

[@MyLauren224]

Cont'd...Again, please keep in touch with her. Perhaps one day you can come and visit us? Pls give Lori your email address when you next speak with her. May God bless you and give you everything you need to thrive and feel at peace within yourself. ~ Lori Theodoropoulos (yes, we have the same name)

[@shanefistell8890]

Hello Lori,How are you? How is your daughter. We've lost touch.

[@tdmj2812]

This looks more like OCD, not TS.

[@Psyolopher]

OCD is often a comorbidity with Tourettes, the most common ones are OCD, ADHD and Autism. And it's different for everyone. But a lot of people have OCD symptoms a long with their TS.

[@MylesR33]

Sorry you are uneducated font know the difference. My brother Shane I know personally has Tourettes a little OCD.