Book Published about Terry Wiles

Anglia Television: Report on a couple who adopted Terry Wiles, a young boy who is disabled due to Thalidomide. Interviews with Terry and his adoptive father as well as an interview with the journalists who have written a book about Terry called ‘On Giant’s Shoulders.’

Shot of Terry Wiles in a wheelchair watering the plants in the garden. Close up of Terry using his foot to hold the watering can. Close up of the wheelchair mechanically lifting Terry up. Interview with Len Wiles, Terry’s adoptive father, who explains how the wheelchair he made for Terry works. He talks about the process of making it and how it took many attempts. Reporter Chris Young interviews Terry about being disabled due to Thalidomide and the effects it has had on his life. Terry talks about the difficult life he had previous to his adoption and how much his adoptive parents have helped him. He discusses how unfairly he was treated in the hospital and how happy he in his current situation. Close up of Terry’s bag strapped to the back of the wheelchair. Close up of Terry using a video camera to film his dad playing with their pet dog. Close up of the back of the wheelchair with ‘Supercar’ written across it. Chris Young interviews journalists Marjorie Wallace and Michael Robson about their book based on Terry’s life called ‘On Giant’s Shoulders.’ Marjorie Wallace talks about the appalling conditions that Mr and Mrs Wiles were living in when she met them four years ago. She explains how hard they have worked and how they had to sacrifice years to be able to now live comfortably. Michael Robson comments on their previous poverty and how they were in debt. There was also resentment of the medical authorities who couldn’t believe that Len Wiles could do far more for Terry than they could do. He talks about the struggles Mr and Mrs Wiles faced in finding the money for the expensive inventions they needed to improve Terry’s way of life. Shot of Mrs Wiles in the kitchen and greeting Terry when he enters the room. Shot of Terry in the kitchen eating dinner using a machine.

Keywords

Adoption; Biographies; Books; Disability; Disabled People; Publications; Medical; Thalidomide;

Background Information

Wallace and Robson’s 1976 book “On Giant’s Shoulders: the Story of Terry Wiles” was later adapted for television, airing on BBC2 as the ‘Play of the Week’ in 1979. In the television film Terry Wiles played himself and starred alongside accomplished actors Judi Dench and Bryan Pringle who portrayed Terry’s adoptive parents Hazel and Len.