Disability Now – Paul Darke

January 2000 TV Review

Panorama: Alone and Tired (BBC1, 8 Nov.) was a lengthy exploration on the treatment of children with ME; one technique was to lock up in a psycho ward whilst the other was more loving, considerate and sympathetic. One would think I was simplifying but it was indeed a simplified exploration that was insulting to all those who have ever been in a psychiatric ward and have endlessly informed the world that they are dehumanising places for adults, let alone children. I watched the middle-of-of-the-night repeat (BBC1, Nov. 11) with in-vision subtitles and signing and realised what a waste of money such repeats are. In-vision subtitles and signing should be there when the programme is first shown at peak times.

Talking Cure (BBC2, 9 Nov., series) followed a similar simplistic logic to Panorama except this series seeks to delude the audience in to believing that psychiatry, at the Tavistock Clinic in this case, is a valid science rather than quackery. It failed whilst also pathologising problems which were so obviously socially orientated and was, at times, laughable.

Horizon: Mistaken Identity (BBC2, 11 Nov.) - in what was obviously a psychiatry week on the Beeb - looked at multiple personality disorders, highlighting the current controversy about the issue (does it, or does it not, exist?). In reality it does not matter, all that does matter is that support, guidance and love are provided with those people who think they have it. Missed the point again Aunty Beeb.

Top of the Pops (BBC1, 12 Nov.) provided welcome light relief with the ever sensual, and the only beautiful Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell performing her number one popster hit Lift Me Up in sign. Unfortunately, no one at Top of the Pops seemed to realise this and sought to cut it out at every opportunity. Ditto.

Just as I got my hopes up and That's Esther (ITV, 14 Nov.) ended - three cheers - along came the equally patronising and disabling drivel that is Children in Need (BBC1, Nov. 26) with the ever sweet, cuddly and candy floss that is Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin.

MacIntyre Undercover (BBC1, Nov. 16) with journalist Donald MacIntyre working undercover at Brompton Residential Home in Gillingham, Kent, in order to reveal the mistreatment of people with Learning Difficulties. I was deeply insulted by the programme. It managed to dismiss the fact that disabled people - all disabled people - have been shouting for a hundred years that they are emotionally, physically and sexually abused in residential setting (all ways have been, always will be - that is the nature of institutions). Do something about it, do not tell us what we already know.

Love is Blind (C4, Nov. 16), showed Channel 4 to be the brilliant and stupendously talented broadcasters that they are in producing a magnificently witty, romantic and absolutely endearing documentary on how wonderful it is to blind and in love. It made me weep with pleasure. It made me cry with admiration at the bravery of the blind, the visually impaired and I hope everyone in it, who made it, and those who commissioned it, feels like the special people that they are.

Kid in the Corner (C4, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and 8) was equally brilliant - it was definitely on a par with Love is Blind - and showed that there is no such thing as an indifferent drama series about children with impairments. Especially if written by a loving parent who has so, so much insight into the issues. Concerning one families life with a boy who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Kid in the Corner was, as a drama about disability, quite astounding.

Look out for the Eating Disorders season - a week if we're lucky - on Channel 4 in the next couple of months - we should hopefully see some gross generalisations in it and, as a fat person myself, lots of eating.

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