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
Physical description
Notes
Copyright note
Type/Technique
Languages
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores2100FBy appointment Manual request