Former Ballerina Elizabeth Twistington Higgins

Anglia Television: Former ballet dancer Elizabeth Twistington Higgins demonstrates how she paints and teaches ballet despite her paralysis by using her mouth to operate equipment.

Shot of Elizabeth Twistington Higgins, known as ‘Twissy’, in her wheelchair with a paintbrush in her mouth. Close-up of her dipping the brush into some paint and painting a tree onto a canvas. Shot of reporter John Swinfield knocking on the front door before Twissy lets him inside using the intercom. Swinfield turns to the camera and explains Twissy’s background, including how she is paralysed and so has to use her mouth to operate equipment that replaces her muscles and limbs. Close-up of Twissy painting with her mouth. Shot of her artwork. Shot of Twissy changing paint brushes. Camera pans over the equipment which operates the wheelchair and allows her to paint despite her disability. Close-up of Twissy moving her fingers to operate the machinery. Elizabeth signals to a woman who then moves the paintbrushes away. John Swinfield sits in a chair in the living room and explains that a book about Twissy’s life which is called ‘Still Life’ has been published. He holds the book up to the camera. He states that she dictated the words one by one using her mouth operated tape recorder. There is a close-up of one of her paintings as Swinfield explains that critics have said Twissy has brought the professionalism of pure ballet into the painted picture. Swinfield then interviews Twissy, asking her what further problems are facing her. She replies that there are many problems still facing her and that she would like a more portable respirator so she can travel like she used to. She explains that breathing is a big problem for her and she has to consciously breathe all day. She talks about the helpers who come in every day. Swinfield asks how she manages to stay so cheerful despite her condition. Twissy replies that she keeps herself busy and even though she used to feel miserable, working again has made her enjoy life. Teaching ballet again gives her the most pleasure in life. They discuss how her paralysis made her feel bitter at the beginning but how she no longer feels that way. They discuss her paintings and the way that she uses all the equipment with her mouth. She demonstrates how she uses the equipment such as ringing a bell or phoning people using a telephone. Close-up of a control panel with a list of features that she can use, such as turning on the light. She speaks to a telephone operator to demonstrate how it works. Swinfield asks how she manages to teach ballet and choreography from her chair. She replies that she teaches them verbally to get her ideas across to them. She demonstrates the mouth operated tape recorder which has been specially designed for her. Close-up of Twissy as the choreography music plays in the background.

Keywords

Art; Ballerina; Disability; Disabled People; Fine Art; Foot and Mouth Painting; Iron Lungs; Painting; Painter; Paralysis; Poliomyelitis; Technology;

Background Information

Elizabeth Twistington Higgins became paralyzed due to Polio.