Re: Pete and his positive works.
I do not know of another hm who has actually raised the profile of such a cause as Pete. Since leaving the house (and indeed, whilst in it) he raised the profile of one of the more anti-social disorders to inflict a person.
It is bad enough to be in school, suffering various indignities - ie ginger hair, too fat, glasses... which still become the target of the more perfect amongst us

..
But, being a child nowadyas is akin to being a teenager 10 years ago. Times have changed - kids are so much more image conscious (I do a whole Drama module in school for 10-11 year olds which is all about self image, as kids really are under a lot of pressure from that young an age).
Hell, I was a massive tomboy, I was still climbing trees and standing in goal at 15/16. Kids nowadays really understand and bow to peer pressure.
For a kid who has any difficulties assimilating whatsoever, school can be the cruelest place. When someone in the public eye has the same problems as you AND still overcomes them, then, it helps you to realise that you are not alone. Pete has done that for the thousands of tourettes sufferers in the UK - and not just kids, but, it is the kids that his media exposure will affect - not just those who suffer the disorder, but those who do not, as they will now understand it.
I've taught kids who have ticks, kids who twitch/ticks, kids who swear, or swear tick/twitch and I know that the ones I still see have said 'Oh my god! It's so normal, even Pete off BB has it... I thought it was only us!!' - no, Gazza has tourettes and other famous people include Jim Eisenreich, professional baseball player, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) - Mozart!! How cool is that! and Dan Ackroyd, to name a few.
I really feel as a teacher of kids with SEN or 'Additional Educational Needs' as it is now PC named, that Pete's exposure has been such a brilliant, inspiring thing. I'm so upset that the good work he has done has been overshadowed by the bile. Luckily, this is only evident on forums - in 'the real world' most people do not do forums and only access the positive... It annoys me no end that papers like The Star still strive to sensationalise the most innocuous comments by giving them headline kudos. Still, I think, in time, that will all but disappear and allow us to enjoy the positive aspects of Pete.
Ever the optomist!! X