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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/disabled-actors-prime-time-tv-silent-witness-mainstream-drama-abusive-political-climate
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| Disabled actors on prime-time TV? No wonder I cried at Silent Witness | Disabled actors on prime-time TV? No wonder I cried at Silent Witness |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Finally a mainstream drama has spoken up for disabled people like me, and our fears in this abusive political climate | |
| Wed 31 Jan 2018 14.30 GMT | Wed 31 Jan 2018 14.30 GMT |
| Last modified on Wed 31 Jan 2018 15.07 GMT | |
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| While watching Silent Witness last night, it struck me that I’m old enough to remember Ironside, the crime fighter in a wheelchair, on TV in the 60s and 70s. As a disabled kid, I loved his van – I wanted that van. I never once thought about whether the actor Raymond Burr was disabled. Which he wasn’t, of course. | While watching Silent Witness last night, it struck me that I’m old enough to remember Ironside, the crime fighter in a wheelchair, on TV in the 60s and 70s. As a disabled kid, I loved his van – I wanted that van. I never once thought about whether the actor Raymond Burr was disabled. Which he wasn’t, of course. |
| The first time I saw a disabled actor – an actual disabled person – playing a role was probably Sandy in the British TV soap Crossroads (also when I was young). Yet it remains a rarity, all these decades later, to see a disabled actor on TV, especially in a powerful role. So to have three disabled actors on prime time this week, in a long-running BBC drama such as Silent Witness, is a cause for celebration – and reflection. | The first time I saw a disabled actor – an actual disabled person – playing a role was probably Sandy in the British TV soap Crossroads (also when I was young). Yet it remains a rarity, all these decades later, to see a disabled actor on TV, especially in a powerful role. So to have three disabled actors on prime time this week, in a long-running BBC drama such as Silent Witness, is a cause for celebration – and reflection. |
| The millions watching may see the abuse as melodrama. But let’s not forget Winterbourne View or Jimmy Savile | The millions watching may see the abuse as melodrama. But let’s not forget Winterbourne View or Jimmy Savile |
| This trio of disabled acting talent was headed by Liz Carr, her five-year role as sharp-witted forensic scientist Clarissa Mullery amplified in a storyline about the abuse in a care home of disabled residents Kevin (Toby Sams-Friedman) and Serena (Rosie Jones). But I wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact the story had on me. At the point where Clarissa said “I’m terrified of being abandoned”, I could hardly breathe. | This trio of disabled acting talent was headed by Liz Carr, her five-year role as sharp-witted forensic scientist Clarissa Mullery amplified in a storyline about the abuse in a care home of disabled residents Kevin (Toby Sams-Friedman) and Serena (Rosie Jones). But I wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact the story had on me. At the point where Clarissa said “I’m terrified of being abandoned”, I could hardly breathe. |
| This is because, probably for the first time someone in a mainstream drama was speaking for me, and for so many disabled people like me. Many of us fear being taken somewhere against our will. Somewhere you don’t want to go. Somewhere you know you will be afraid. I’ve been in that space, and still fear it. Many disabled people do. Whether you are 20 years old and forced into an institution that’s deemed best for you, or 75 and manoeuvred into a drab care home for the convenience of your family, the fear is tangible: threats to liberty and safety are real. | This is because, probably for the first time someone in a mainstream drama was speaking for me, and for so many disabled people like me. Many of us fear being taken somewhere against our will. Somewhere you don’t want to go. Somewhere you know you will be afraid. I’ve been in that space, and still fear it. Many disabled people do. Whether you are 20 years old and forced into an institution that’s deemed best for you, or 75 and manoeuvred into a drab care home for the convenience of your family, the fear is tangible: threats to liberty and safety are real. |
| Disabled people know these things could happen all too easily, especially in the current political climate, when utility is everything. Your worth is judged by the profit you make. Disabled people feel as if we have stopped being human, as if we have become an issue, an expense and a liability. As Clarissa comments: “We are … less.” | Disabled people know these things could happen all too easily, especially in the current political climate, when utility is everything. Your worth is judged by the profit you make. Disabled people feel as if we have stopped being human, as if we have become an issue, an expense and a liability. As Clarissa comments: “We are … less.” |
| The growing fears disabled people share today were unravelled by Silent Witness in a powerful dramatic context that rammed the point deep. We had the repellent care home. Abused residents. Evil care staff, whose sickening secrets are kept by colleagues. The murder of an elderly woman with dementia. The dubious doctor who has killed her for money. A drama may have a licence to exaggerate, and many of the show’s millions of viewers may have believed this was complete melodrama, and unnecessarily vile, from the physical abuse inflicted on Kevin to the rape of Serena. But let’s not forget the Winterbourne View scandal or Jimmy Savile’s hospital visits. | The growing fears disabled people share today were unravelled by Silent Witness in a powerful dramatic context that rammed the point deep. We had the repellent care home. Abused residents. Evil care staff, whose sickening secrets are kept by colleagues. The murder of an elderly woman with dementia. The dubious doctor who has killed her for money. A drama may have a licence to exaggerate, and many of the show’s millions of viewers may have believed this was complete melodrama, and unnecessarily vile, from the physical abuse inflicted on Kevin to the rape of Serena. But let’s not forget the Winterbourne View scandal or Jimmy Savile’s hospital visits. |
| The storylines moved me, angered me – and encouraged me: because they contained elements of a true picture that needs constant exposure, but hardly ever gets it. | The storylines moved me, angered me – and encouraged me: because they contained elements of a true picture that needs constant exposure, but hardly ever gets it. |
| I cried when Clarissa was thrown from her wheelchair. I cried because of the majestic acting and the themes desperately in need of airing. I cried because she is disabled and I am disabled: because, as the show explored, malevolent attitudes feed abuse, which arises from the often state-sanctioned view of our worthlessness. | I cried when Clarissa was thrown from her wheelchair. I cried because of the majestic acting and the themes desperately in need of airing. I cried because she is disabled and I am disabled: because, as the show explored, malevolent attitudes feed abuse, which arises from the often state-sanctioned view of our worthlessness. |
| And so barriers remain in place, disabling us, and denying our full participation in the everyday. The current government wallows in an ideology that crushes us with cuts to social care, to services – and to disabled arts organisations. Immediately after Silent Witness, Ellen Clifford, of Disabled People Against Cuts, was on Newsnight, pointing out that “the United Nations made a finding of grave and systemic violations towards disabled people”. | And so barriers remain in place, disabling us, and denying our full participation in the everyday. The current government wallows in an ideology that crushes us with cuts to social care, to services – and to disabled arts organisations. Immediately after Silent Witness, Ellen Clifford, of Disabled People Against Cuts, was on Newsnight, pointing out that “the United Nations made a finding of grave and systemic violations towards disabled people”. |
| Who cares? Who’s listening? Unexpectedly Silent Witness seemed to be this week. And with viewing figures averaging 6 million, let’s hope it marks a watershed moment in our understanding and acceptance of disabled people. | Who cares? Who’s listening? Unexpectedly Silent Witness seemed to be this week. And with viewing figures averaging 6 million, let’s hope it marks a watershed moment in our understanding and acceptance of disabled people. |
| • Penny Pepper is a writer and disability rights activist | • Penny Pepper is a writer and disability rights activist |
| Disability | Disability |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| Television | Television |
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