Paul joined us in June 2021 to talk about his life, career, and representation in film and television; in this week’s extra offering, Paul talks about what he’s been up to since his episode was released.
Since I was on the podcast, it has been a hectic time with quite a few projects coming together – and a few that did not come to fruition.
The one I received quite a lot of publicity for was when I was a Commonwealth Baton-Bearer in July. Luckily I was a Baton-Bearer in my own City of Wolverhampton. I had initially been offered a spot in Ironbridge up a very steep hill (well, coming down it), but after discussing with Ethiopia Commonwealth Games organisers how this was impractical, they moved me to a more appropriate spot: flat and where I live. A fact for which I was very grateful. It was very enjoyable to be amongst several local legends, especially Steve Bull( (Footballer) and Lisa Potts (local hero).
Often people say: you lucky so-and-so how did you get to do that (about this and most things). Luckily, my son nominated me, and I subsequently had to accept and fill in additional forms. As such, I always so that success is usually because I – or someone else in this case – filled in a document. The lesson is, thus, to fill in the states and apply them. Of course, you cannot do it – anything – unless you apply: so always apply as at least you then have a chance.
Many of the projects we undertake are only possible because ‘we filled in the form: as is the case with several current projects, we are undertaking a museum in Londoner project looking at the idea of the’ Special School’ or residential institution – such the one I went to from the age of 7 to 15 – for which we are doing several exhibitions and making.
A film interviews those still left alive from when we were at that school in the 1970s. It was a school solely for people with Spina Bifida. A fact which was quite unusual as most places of this kind in that era were for mixed impairments. The documentary (which will be more of an installation) about ‘my school’ covers some of the ambiguity I have about such places (though many interviewed have little ambiguity in their views). Although I am against segregated schools, the alternative (integration) can often be much worse without a radical rethinking of what education for all is or should be.
I shall tell you much more about this next time I am invited on to the podcast: so keep listening to Lucy and Alice doing their excellent work on the podcast.
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