Disability Voices
Hawkridge, John (Part 27 of 28). Speaking for ourselves: an oral history of people with cerebral palsy
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Type
sound
Duration
00:30:05
Shelf mark
C1134/20/01-15
Subjects
Cerebral Palsy
Recording date
2005-05-16, 2005-06-09, 2005-06-27, 2005-07-27, 2005-08-30, 2005-09-05, 2005-11-04
Interviewees
Hawkridge, John (speaker, male)
Abstract
Part 27 (Tape 15 Side A): Born 1948 with cerebral palsy. John has climbed 44 mountains in Britain. His first book “Sticks and Stones” was published in 1987. In 1989 he won ‘Man of the Year’ award for his sporting achievements. His slowness in walking as a child led to the discovery of cerebral palsy. Physiotherapy and constant assessment. Age 4, attended Larchfield, weekly boarding school, where he was fitted with callipers. Failed the 11+ exam. First operation on hamstrings. Unable to walk after surgery. Further surgery to lengthen Achilles tendon. Aged 9, left to attend a special day school in Leeds. Aged 14, left Potternewton special school to attend College Of Commerce in Leeds. Used public transport for the first time. Left college and worked at British Rail for 20 months. Worked at Inland Revenue for 19 years until doctor suggested he should retire as his condition likely to worsen. In 1971, John got first car and toured British Isles. 1975 – 1988, John visited several countries including Spain, Switzerland (Mont Blanc), Italy. He toured Mediterranean, Baltic and Czechoslovakia. Fear of flying. Visited America, Mexico City and Canada. 1988 Went to Mount Everest for BBC documentary. 1992 Visited Nepal and Tibet. 1979 Short marriage.
Description
Interviewed for the project 'Speaking for ourselves: an oral history of people with cerebral palsy'; a project conducted by Scope in partnership with the British Library, financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund
Related transcripts
John Hawkridge interviewed by Richard Smith: full transcript of the interview (PDF)
Related links
'Speaking For Ourselves' project website, including resources, information for schools and news
Metadata record:
Hawkridge, John (Part 27 of 28). Speaking for ourselves: an oral history of people with cerebral palsy
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