To please ask everyone to watch this documentary if they haven’t already seen it?

[GroundAlmonds]

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000p3p4/being-frank-the-frank-gardner-story

He is an amazing man. It is a great watch, and what he says about able bodied people using facilities he desperately needs is salutary.

I think this subject sometimes gets rather muddled. Usually, ironically because everyone is so keen to be inclusive.

I have both visible (acquires) and hidden (life long) disabilities myself and I thought his points were good ones.

Review for those who can’t spare an hour this weekend;

www.google.com/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/11/05/frank-frank-gardner-story-review-unflinching-look-life-paraplegic/amp/

Interesting that people are voting but not commenting?

How many of you saw the programme?

No thanks.

He probably is a wonderful man and has a platform he’s using well.

I watch television programmes that interest me and that one just doesn’t. Sorry.

(I think it’s only fair to comment because no one else has)

It’s just that it would be fabulous if more citizens understood exactly what life in a wheelchair entails, minute by minute.

It’s a bonus that he is a fascinating chap and it’s a genuinely interesting programme covering other things.

Ok, I will try to watch it after I put the dc to sleep later.

I understand that’s where you’re coming from but I just don’t want to watch it.

I’m disabled as is one of my dc (although they don’t need a wheelchair, I use crutches). I don’t want to watch it. I’m not the target audience.

Thanks @Hellomoonstar it would be great if lots of people did see it. I really appreciate it when people make an effort to inform themselves

Fair enough @Ironingontheceiling - it would be a bit of a busman’s holiday for you!

Thank you
I will watch it

Yay. Thanks.

I can't watch Iplayer as no TV license, and the article is behind a paywall :( sorry

Well the thought was there. Thanks.

Oh I like him. I'll watch that.

There’s also this BBC article, which covers some of it;

www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-54703865

I watched the Frank Gardener documentary, as I like him as a person on TV etc. But also because my Son who is 49, is paralysed from the chest down, so obviously a wheelchair user.He had an accident about 19 years ago.

Some people would like to watch a programme like this, as they may be interested to know how you can achieve many things when not being able to walk, and deal with all things as such. Some people tend to shy away from thinking about paralysis, as my son discovered when he first became paralysed.

You have to try and have a good mental attitude when being disabled in this way, as Frank Gardener is, as he likes to travel,and is adventuress. much like my son, who has traveled a lot, and done some crazy things in his wheelchair.

I always listen when he is on the radio, I respect his insights on Middle East politics etc. He is a great commentator and has led an interesting life. I had no idea he was in a wheelchair until I heard him talking about it once as an airline he was using had failed to bring him a wheelchair to disembark the plane. Up till that point I had literally no idea. I haven’t watched the program but did hear him talking about it and I will watch it.
There is another radio 4 presenter I have been listening to for years, maybe money box (?). Anyway I had a similar moment of awe when I realised he was blind. I had no idea that was the case either. Both amazing men

Yes, the big battle is psychological.

However, competent airlines, available parking, available loos, considerate colleagues all help.

This looks really interesting, thanks OP.

You might not get too much engagement though cos it’s really not clear what the docu is about, your OP doesn’t mention who he is / what it covers etc and the first article is behind a paywall

@sashagabadon

I always listen when he is on the radio, I respect his insights on Middle East politics etc. He is a great commentator and has led an interesting life. I had no idea he was in a wheelchair until I heard him talking about it once as an airline he was using had failed to bring him a wheelchair to disembark the plane. Up till that point I had literally no idea. I haven’t watched the program but did hear him talking about it and I will watch it. There is another radio 4 presenter I have been listening to for years, maybe money box (?). Anyway I had a similar moment of awe when I realised he was blind. I had no idea that was the case either. Both amazing men

Yes he’s very impressive. Whenever the Middle East gets scary, he strikes exactly the right balance of expertise, clarity & calm.

Peter White is the journalist who is VI. I think he does You and Yours now. He used to do In Touch and various other programmes.

@ShirleyPhallus

This looks really interesting, thanks OP.

You might not get too much engagement though cos it’s really not clear what the docu is about, your OP doesn’t mention who he is / what it covers etc and the first article is behind a paywall

Yeah, dunce that I am I didn’t realise about the paywall

Hopefully the BBC article I linked at 18.32 will help.

The programme is part of a series marking the 25 year anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Going to watch it now OP. Ill come back when its finished.

Thanks @MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

Thanks Op - going to watch. I'm probably rather ignorant tbh.

I watched it - it was excellent and he was very open and quite matter of fact about showing his stoma etc. He has been through a life-changing ordeal and still has what seems to be a very fulfilling life. He has been lucky in that he can still do the job he loves and that is not the same for everyone who suffers something like this.

I watched it when it was on telly. I admire Frank G and thought that he was very direct. I have a friend who uses a wheelchair, so I was aware of some of the pitfalls and appalling behaviour - but not all.
Well worth watching.

Thank you for the recommendation @GroundAlmonds
I found it really interesting.. desperately sad at points. I really like all kinds of documentaries, especially ones about real lives and experiences.