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Student documentary challenges perception of disabled people

Aug 9 2009 by Nicola Juncar, Sunday Sun

left to right, Marc Lambert-Clarke, Craig Butterfield, Kriss Sowerby, Mark Whitecross, who filmed karate fan Liam Twizell, right, who has cerebral palsy

A DOCUMENTARY created by four North East students aims to challenge perceptions of disabled people.

The film, Hidden Lives: Fighting Cerebral Palsy, focuses on Liam Twizell, who is about to start his second year at Teesside University.

The documentary shows how Liam, from Billingham, and who was born with cerebral palsy, lives life to the full through his studies and passion for karate.

Behind the film are final-year media production students Marc Lambert- Clarke, 23, of Catterick, North Yorkshire, Kriss Sowerby, 21, of Ferryhill, County Durham, Mark Whitecross, 20, from Stockton, Teesside, and Craig Butterfield, 21, from Hartlepool.

Marc, who produced the film and is himself a wheelchair user, said: “It is an issue close to my own heart as there are many misconceptions about what disabled people can achieve.”

“Liam really enjoys his degree course and has achieved his brown belt in karate.

“People often judge others on what they can see. For example, they see a wheelchair and automatically assume mental and physical disability.

“The film is about not judging people just from a visual perspective, as it aims to show that if you actually take the time to ask, you’ll see disabled people are just people.”

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