I remember when I was a young lad that a poor fellow called Joey Deacon (born with a severe case of cerebral palsy) who was featured on the children’s programme Blue Peter for the International Year of the Disabled. He was presented as an example of a man who achieved a lot in spite of his disabilities. However, despite the positive light in which the programme’s editor was trying to present his story, the impact was not as intended. Joey’s name and mannerisms quickly became a label of ridicule in school playgrounds across the country with anyone who would have normally be called a spastic was now known as a Joey! Nonetheless, many who were children at that time now look back on him rather fondly. God bless you Joey, you made my childhood what it was... a right laugh!

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