A Day in the Life

What must now be a few years ago, I wrote a blog entitled "Mediocrities of the World, I Absolve You." It was about the often seen stereotype of people with mental illness also being brilliant or talented in some way - in essence, about the cliché concerning where genius ends and madness begins, or vice versa. My conclusion in that blog was that it was a stereotype like any other, having little to do with the reality of what the majority of people with mental ill health experience. I suggested that such representations of mental illness could then be just as damaging as other stereotypes, as they don't leave much room for those who aren't some kind of genius. However, having recently watched the film, "Frank", director Lenny Abrahamson's examination of a rock band headed by a guru-like and enigmatic front man, I think I've changed my mind somewhat. The film is narrated from the perspective of Jon Burroughs, a young wannabe pop star who really isn...

"Ghetto... segregated group or area." The Oxford English Dictionary.   A few days ago on our local BBC radio station, the subject of mental health was raised. If I remember correctly, it was because of an announcement by Nick Clegg concerning the reduction of waiting times for mental health patient appointments. As part of this segment of the show, then, someone from a centre which teaches people with mental health problems about IT was interviewed. It wasn't the content of what this person said, though, which interested me, but the response of one of the presenters. Having done the interview, she stated that such places were wonderful because people with mental ill health could help each other and interact there, and, furthermore, they wouldn't feel any stigma about their problems in such places because they were "all in the same boat." While I would absolutely agree that such places are often invaluable to those with m...

I don't know whether anyone reading this blog will have watched "Marvellous", the BBC2 biopic of the inimitable Neil Baldwin, but I certainly did. Played by Toby Jones in the film, Neil was someone who, despite having learning difficulties, made the very best of life. The film showed how he became a part-time clown, known as "Nello", and later how he made friends with various bishops, politicians and celebrities (at one point we even see him meeting the late Tony Benn after he "gatecrashed" parliament). Perhaps most importantly of all, he became an indispensable part of Stoke City FC's support staff when under the management of Lou Macari. He also became a sort of unpaid student supporter at Keele University, a role for which he recently received an honorary masters degree. So, by all accounts an extraordinary life for one who had such difficulties. Indeed, it appeared that Neil never let his problems hold him back, approaching life wit...