Look mummy has no hands.

Date:
c.1960
  • Film

About this work

Description

This astonishing film presents Ann, a female double arm amputee who returned to work as a wife and mother a year after her discharge from hospital. Ann lost both of her hands, damaged her left eye and her back in a train accident; fortunately she was right-handed as although her left arm had to be amputated above the elbow the right elbow still functions - a fact which has helped her to remain as able as she has. The film was made at Westminster Hospital during a follow-up visit a year after her discharge when her baby, Joanne, was 21 months old and aims to show how remarkably dexterous she is with two metal prosthetic hands. We see her dressing and undressing Joanne including feats such as doing up shoe buckles and cardigan buttons. We see her making a bed, cooking, eating a meal using a knife and fork and later bathing Joanne and getting her ready for bed. Finally we see Ann prepare for an evening out - dressing herself, managing to take on and off her prostheses and doing her make-up. The film then moves to three years later. Ann has returned to college to train as a shorthand teacher and can also drive a car. We see her in a shorthand lesson, smoking a cigarette, writing on a black board and driving.

Publication/Creation

UK, c.1960.

Physical description

1 film reel (28.08 min.) : silent, color, 16 mm

Notes

This film forms part of a collection of films donated to Wellcome Trust in 2006 by Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton Lane, London.

Copyright note

Queen Mary's Hospital, London.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    2100F
    By appointmentManual request

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