Glad to be Mad

Nick van Bloss possesses astonishing musical talent. He is also afflicted with Tourette’s Syndrome. As this BBC program illustrates, the two are often linked, leading those born with the disorder to view it as both a curse and a gift. Nick’s journey—taking him from the humiliating loss of his career as a concert pianist toward a more self-assured acceptance of his condition—is not only inspiring; it is also a highly informative look into the diagnosis, treatment, and day-to-day realities of Tourette’s, Parkinson’s, autism, schizophrenia, and other disorders. Among Nick’s many notable interactions are those with autistic jazz composer Matt Savage and with neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, author of Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain and other books. Original BBCW broadcast title: Glad to Be Mad. (50 minutes)

Also see: Nick's book Busy Body: My Life with Tourette's Syndrome (Paperback)