On Monday evening I visited at the Royal College of Physicians. This free exhibition is based on portraits owned by the college, featuring disabled people from the past four hundred years.
Two medical historians, Carole Reeves and Julie Anderson, were commissioned to find out as much as possible about the lives of the people in the paintings. Their stories are presented in a really accessible and often amusing way, using language which was more acceptable at the time than it might be now.
Twenty-seven disabled people were invited to be photographed and filmed, so that their take on the selection of portraits could be recorded and added to the exhibition. Photos of them and audio highlights of their thoughts are arranged around the walls of the gallery and can be viewed as an integral part of the programme.
Most of the original subjects were very obviously physically disabled and many lived remarkable lives: There are the conjoined twins who married twin sisters and fathered 22 children between them, the man with no arms who is pictured sword fighting with his feet and 'Blind Granny' who would lick her blind eye and dance in the street for beer money.
Most of the pictures were created before institutions became the norm. People like Blind Granny would have been protected somewhat by the poor laws, the first of which was past in 1601 and made people who were "disordered" the responsibility of their community.
Unsurprisingly, a number of the life stories are tragic, involving exploitation and early death. However, many of the disabled people featured are reported to have made a lot of money 'exhibiting' themselves and to have been very positive and comfortable with their disabilities. Some were even said to have visited royalty.
Re-framing Disability can be viewed at the Royal College of Physicians until the 8th of July, when it will move to the gallery in Kentish Town before touring the UK. It has audio description.
If looking at disability-related medical stuff is your thing, London's has a selection of limbs, amputation saws and walking sticks among other things. They have recently added the option to request an audio described tour.
The at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, another medical treasure trove, is also worth a visit. They too have audio description and have added the full main audio guide and specialist audio description tracks to the museum's website so that anyone can download them if they're not able to get there and experience it first hand. The Hunterian are also starting to explore options for touch tours, however, they are apparently having some trouble figuring out how to make exhibits such as a brain in a jar accessible.
| 09:04 UK time, Thursday, 28 April 2011
