Home > Features > Disability is Everywhere: antiques, philosophy, panel games
Disability is Everywhere: antiques, philosophy, panel games
14th February 2011
In case you've not seen it, the rules are simple: Whenever an antiques expert mentions the word veneer, you and your buddies have to take a gulp out of your glass. Frasier's dad also liked to play a game where he'd guess whether the antique-bringer would either be thrilled or disappointed when they find out how much it's worth. Irony lives.
I caught an episode of the show in January. It featured an ornate pocket watch, probably made in the early 19th century.
When it came to the valuation, I was impressed firstly by the potential price it might reach at auction, £50,000, but more so by the owner's dignified reaction. When told the estimate, she quietly said that it was nice to know. She was thrilled, however, when the antique expert said it was the best watch he'd ever seen. A noble human being.
The watch was unusual having a single stationary arrow on the face. And rather than numbers, it had 12 diamonds around the outer circle. Apparently, rather than take the pocket watch out of one's pocket to check the time - understandably considered impolite - the owner could leave his hand in his pocket, discreetly push the arrow round and tell the time by touch. It could also be used in the dark.
As soon as the arrow was explained, it got me thinking. Surely this was a watch for very wealthy blind people. Indeed, the watch is known as Montre à Tact, meaning tactile watch, and even nicknamed . At that price however, you would need to be a very wealthy blind person to own one.
A recent episode featured a corrupt cop who was murdering illegal immigrants from Mexico. He had a mobility impairment and used an all-terrain vehicle or quad bike to hunt down his victims. The dramatic use of disability hinted that he was a tad bitter, a common allegory in film and television.
Each episode of Criminal Minds finishes with an appropriate quote, often from a philosopher, author or scientist, and it's voiced by one of the characters from the unit. I was pleasantly surprised that this episode's quote was an antidote to the corrupt cop image and was from the famous American political activist who was deafblind. The quote was: "Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."
The second episode, which aired on January 28th, had David Armand on it. He is perhaps best known as the over supportive support-worker Eddie, to non-disabled lay-about Dan, in How Not to Live Your Life.
David performed an 'interpretive' dance' to You Can't Hurry Love by Phil Collins (not one of my guilty pleasures despite being by Phil). His dance is essentially a mix between miming and some random sign language. It's quick and it's funny.
Whilst watching I realised it was also familiar. Several years ago, a clip featuring a man interpreting the song by Natalie Imbruglia was doing the rounds as a humorous skit on signed performances. I checked back to this clip and lo and behold, it was David Armand again.
He's good but not as good as who does the real thing.
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Comments
The TV example which most surprised me was the oustandingly clever woman on University Challenge last year with pink hair. She knew so much and was quick with her replies.
Oh yes - and she was blind! Obviously she was unable to help her team with visual questions but the programme organisers were able to try and help with braille / tactile maps and scientific formulae.
I was astonished at how well she did. It made me think - how could she have assimilated so much information when unable to read university textbooks.
I am deaf and have yet to see a deaf contestant on University Challenge - or have I missed one?
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