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The Documentary: Tanni's lifetime road to disabled equality

Tanni's lifetime road to disabled equality

18/11/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Tanni's lifetime road to disabled equality

Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson looks at changes in attitudes to disability the world over

Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson looks at changes in attitudes to disability the world over.

Multi gold-medal-winning Paralympic wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson examines 50 years of changing attitudes to disability around the world. When Tanni was a child in the 1970s in Wales becoming an athlete with spina bifida was far from guaranteed. There was no support for her parents bringing up a disabled child and education for children with disabilities was minimal. 

Over the years Tanni has suffered discrimination including when she was pregnant being offered a termination. She meets others who have had similar journeys in India, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil and New Zealand.

In India she meets Abha Khetarpal, and both reflect on several shared experiences. They both had scoliosis and use a wheelchair and faced early challenges at school - Abha having to be home schooled. 

Meanwhile Lois Auta in Nigeria also uses a wheelchair. She was born in 1980 and tells Tanni how she managed to challenge the status quo and stand for parliament. ‘Disability is seen in our country as something that happens through witch craft," she says. Lois, who now acts as an advocate for women with disabilities says those prejudices still exist.

She meets BBC war correspondent Frank Gardner who tells her how he adapted to becoming disabled after being injured during his work in a war zone in the Middle East.

Producer: Ashley Byrne
A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Britain's paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson holds up her gold medals. Credit: Carl de Souza/AFP)

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