Lunatics, Cripples & Incurables: giving a talk at the Gloucester History Festival
I’ll be honest, this may have been one of the most exciting things to have happened to me. Ever. I love history, I’m passionate about accessibility, and I’m a big fan of the History Festival. The Triumvirate of Fabulousness!
I have spent the last couple of years looking through collections held at Gloucestershire Archives for documents relating to disability. It is an enormous umbrella term and covers any long term physical or mental health condition or illness. A massive 1 in 6 people are classed as disabled today, and yet there is surprisingly little history out there relating to this area.
Most people with disabilities in the past got on with life as best as they could. When support was needed, it came from family and friends. But many of the Archives’ records were created when this wasn’t enough: we find a lot of information from education institutions, prisons, courts, mental asylums, workhouses and burial records. A lot of the information is ambiguous and frustratingly limited but personally, I think this adds to the joy of research. Plus, it echoes the way the lives of those with disabilities have been led, so often obscured or hidden from view.
As I arrived at the beautiful Blackfriars’ venue, donning my best yellow corduroy party pants, I was a little nervous. It wasn’t public speaking. It was whether anyone actually turned up. As I walked into the Scriptorium, I was delighted to find a room full of people. The next half an hour or so zoomed past and then it was all over. I’d done my best and I hoped, just hoped, that the history of disability might have been ever so slightly elevated.
My husband/chief cheerleader, Jamie, also thoroughly enjoyed himself. We went to a couple of superb talks and met Mary Beard. We also got to use the Green Room and pocketed a couple of treacle tarts which we had with cream for our dinner.
Definitely one of my favourite ever experiences. Thanks to the Gloucester History Festival for having me and to everyone who came along to support.
Article written by Jemma Fowkes, Archives Assistant and Community Heritage Officer at Gloucester Archives