Tiny Tim vs Little Britain’s Andy – Deserving vs Undeserving Disability

Well, as 2008 closes and 2009 is almost upon us, at this time of year Dickens’ Christmas Carol is festive fare. Even a yet to be converted Ebeneezer Scrooge is moved and saddened when confronted with the imminent death of Tiny Tim. Here, disability is portrayed in an angelic light, Tiny Tim suffering without complaint.

Tiny Tim and his Father

True, this is a Victorian view of disability, where Tiny Tim and his family were the deserving poor. However, it seems that with current British legislation targeting those on disability benefits, the perception of the deserving vs. the undeserving disabled is not just historical, its very much alive and kicking.

The character of Andy in the comedy series ‘Little Britain’, a man who is a wheelchair user, deceiving his devoted carer because he can walk and does so, as soon as his carer Lou is looking away.

Andy and Lou

Andy’s character is perhaps the embodiment of the modern negative perception of disability – the undeserving disabled. Heavens, I hope that this growing perception is just my anxious nightmare rather than reality. We can live in hope…

Concentration and Assisting Death

Well, two of my most interesting subjects are back in the news.

There is an article in the journal Nature today which recommends the drug Ritalin as an aid to improving concentration and memory for those without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As sometimes I lack both, perhaps I should take some after all

The other subject, assisted suicide has been raised by a member of the Scottish Parliament Margo MacDonald.

The Lothian MSP, who has Parkinson’s Disease, does not wish her own condition to be the centre of the debate, but is sure from the post she receives from her constituents that the legislation covering assisted death must be changed.