Hi
If anyone can help Linda please reply directly to her at [log in to unmask]
Best wishes
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Laurie [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Subject: Re: Research - The role of charity as a safety net for the welfare state
I am doing some research into the way that charities have become a safety
net for gaps in public services. I want to get together information about
historical examples of charities raising funds for equipment, etc. which
should be
funded by the NHS. I am particularly interested in how charities have used
images of Disability in funding appeals, in order that I can assess whether
and how
the images of us as Disabled People used by charities have changed. I have
come across something called 'The Snowdrop Appeal'.
The Snowdrop Appeal was sponsored by the Birmingham Evening Mail Newspaper
(now called the Birmingham Mail) in or around 1990. My understanding is
that the campaign arose as a result of the Birmingham Children's Hospital
wanting to purchase a scanner which would enable staff to identify early in
a pregnancy, whether or not a foetus was likely to result in the birth of a
child with an impairment or "defect". This would (it was claimed) enable
the hospital to arrange abortions at a stage where there would be less risk
to the mother.
The emphasis of the campaign was, so I am told, that mother's could be
informed of the risks at an early stage, enabling them to make an informed
choice as to whether or not to pursue the pregnancy to full term. In
reality however the imagery and language around the campaign was, it is
alleged, highly negative and prejudicial, using the "tragedy" of impairment
to raise funds and contrasting this with the "purity" of snowdrops in order
to maximise income for the appeal.
Besides coverage in the Birmingham Evening Mail (which I gather was in the
main understandably favourable towards the appeal) there was some other
local media coverage involving Disabled critics of the appeal. One such
example was an edition of the program called "Central Weekend". This was a
'knockabout' live TV program with a studio audience which was shown on
Friday evenings on regional commercial television.
I understand that Mike Higgins (my partner) together with Bob Findlay and
possibly Richard Wood may have been on the panel advocating the position of
the Disabled People's Movement. Extensive (unfunded) research via the
Internet and with some friends who collect such material has born no fruit.
I wondered whether or not you may be able to circulate a request via the
list or any other networks you may have, to help me locate either a VHS/DVD
of the relevant Central Weekend program or (failing that) some other
coverage of the Snowdrop Appeal.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Linda Laurie.
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