Spectrum 286. Less a verdict, more a challenge

Rights Information
Year
1978
Reference
22217
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1978
Reference
22217
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:28:56
Credits
RNZ Collection
Perkins, Jack (b.1940), Interviewer
Radio New Zealand (estab. 1989), Broadcaster

Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the
essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.

In this episode a mother talks about her struggles to bring up and educate Matthew, her disabled child, and her conflict with officialdom.

Soon after his birth, Matthew’s mother knew instinctively that something was wrong; he was a floppy baby and struggled to feed. His mother had previously given birth to a disabled daughter who had passed away at 19 months. Matthew’s mother was sure that the paediatricians were incorrect about the severity of Matthew’s disability and took it upon herself to provide a more positive outcome for her son’s future. The decision to prove professional predictions wrong changed their lives.

Against officially predicted odds, she taught Matthew to sit upright and crawl. She was able to visit a psychiatrist herself but received no specialist assistance for her son. She struggled to find information about child development and disability. In addition to Matthew, his mother had another able-bodied and developmentally normal child. Matthew’s mother speaks about the all-consuming nature of her care for Matthew. He was placed in a special school, but his mother was unhappy with his progress and argued with support from her paediatrician, that he was able to attend a normal school.

Matthew eventually attended a Catholic school and through he struggled with the routines and the social demands of school, his teacher, a nun, provided a great deal of support and care. Another teacher struggled to communicate with Matthew but slowly gained his trust and he progressed. His mother also helped to Matthew to succeed academically. The principal of Matthew’s school found his mother a difficult parent, but they worked together.

Matthew does lots of swimming and physical exercise to assist with his breathing and coordination. At the pool we hear Matthew’s mother give instructions as he does breaststroke and backstroke. His mother says she’s had a lot of useful advice from swimming coaches. Back at home Matthew reads a paragraph from ‘Wind in the Willows’, his speech is more hesitant than usual as he’s nervous of the microphone. He plays scales on the piano and his mother explains he has a good ear, and that it’s good for his small muscles.

Matthew’s mother also goes to his school several days a week. Perkins finds Matthew’s mother and the principal of the school in a frank conversation. The principal suggests that his mother needs to learn to let go and trust the professionals. His mother worries about what will happen in the future.
The programme closes with Perkins reflecting that Matthew’s successes are in large part due to his mother’s courage endurance and tenacity. The principal of Matthew’s school expresses his admiration for his mother.