Michael Wilkinson

“When I was 11 I was stuck in hospital for a big operation on me legs, four operations altogether. Before that I used to crawl everywhere. After these operations – because my feet and legs were different – I couldn’t crawl again for ages. It was autumn and I was getting very agitated because I thought I wouldn’t get out before Christmas. I had both legs in pots from the hips down, with a big metal bar in between to keep me legs apart. One of the operations was to cut my tendons, so I could part my legs. Before that my legs were forced together. I used to walk on my toes.” Michael Wilkinson

Born 12 May 1953
 
Educated Wilfred Pickles School for Spastics

Michael Wilkinson Tape 1 Listen here:
Born in Derby in 1953. First memory of a picnic in father’s Morris Standard car near Burton-on-Trent. Father used to drive a truck delivering gravel and sand for a local pit. Later, he was a fitter’s mate at a local power... 00:20:36

Michael Wilkinson Tape 2 Listen here:
Relationship with parents. Four operations on legs at the age of 11. Schoolwork on electric typewriter. University to study Psychology and Sociology. MW had younger brother David and an older sister Pauline. Older brother... 00:31:20

Michael Wilkinson Tape 3 Listen here:
Burton-on-Trent. Grandad was the caretaker and choirmaster of the local church at Pocklington. He was still riding his bike at the age of 88. Description of parents’ house. Experiences of institutional care at school and... 00:24:43

Michael Wilkinson Tape 4 Listen here:
Wilfred Pickles School for Spastics from age 4 until 16. Imposed rest periods. Discipline regime. Riding on three-wheeler bikes. Stuart, Windsor, Tudor and Norman house system. Sports day and speech day. Letters home... 00:31:24

Michael Wilkinson Tape 5 Listen here:
School youth club called the Grangers. Tixover Grange. Tuck shop. Three shillings pocket money for term. Go-Cart Gang. Accompanying dad on his part-time job on Friday or Saturday delivering groceries for the local supermark... 00:23:10

Michael Wilkinson Tape 6 Listen here:
Riding bike. Interest in toy cars – Dinkies. Family holidays in static caravan at Bridlington or Scarborough. Walking and fishing. 'Family Favourites' radio show. TV at weekends. 'Black and White Minstrel Show' on Saturday... 00:31:20

Michael Wilkinson Tape 7 Listen here:
'O' and 'A' levels. Offered a place at Sheffield University, Psychology and Sociology. Girlfriend of six years was psychologist, researching into cerebral palsy. Father was an electrician at a local power station and also... 00:31:20

Download a transcript of the Michael Wilkinson interview (PDF, 225kb)