Video Response Sheet - Extraordinary People

We watched the PBS Frontline program's investigation into thalidomide babies, "Extraordinary People", tonight in class.  Before answering the questions from the response sheet, I wanted to briefly sum up my notes taken during the video.

Notes

Thalidomide, a "wonder drug that went wrong", was given to pregnant women in Europe, Australia, Japan and Canada in the early 1960's.  It was a popular drug at the time as it eased problems associated with pregnancy such as morning sickness, and as a sleeping pill.  However, babies were being born without arms or legs, or died because of organs not being formed properly.  As many as 5,000 children were born with these symptoms in Germany, and many were left in institutions run by the German government, or abandoned.

Initially, doctors tried to fit these patients with artificial limbs but the patients were not in favour.  Many thought that the limbs were for the benefit of everyone else (so that they seemed "normal") and not for the patients themselves.

A question that was raised at the time was where these children would be educated - in schools for the handicapped or given a normal education.

One of the people interviewed, an American called Alvin Law, recounted how his grade school opposed his enrolment.  After much negotiation, he was finally accepted into his school.

Germany provided better compensation and assistance for their nationals born with thalidomide than Canada did.

Questions


1.  For you, what is the significance of the title of this video?

I think the title highlights the trials and hardships that the men in the video had to surmount to be accepted in society as full members.  One thing that struck me was the good-humor that most of the men had about their situations.  They didn't seem to see themselves as being "extraordinary" but the ways in which they had overcome a lot of their difficulties would no doubt strike able-bodied individuals as "extraordinary".


2.  What reaction do you have in regards to the message(s) of this video?

One of my reactions to this video is that despite these men having been born with a disability that may affect their mobility, they would no doubt be able to participate in regular schools academically.  The argument for including students with these types of disabilities has been strengthened in my mind by watching this film.  


3.  Describe how you and/or your school could use this video?

I think many of my students think that they have big problems in their life and don't often think about those who have to overcome such hardships from an early age, and come out the other end with such a bright outlook on life.  I would hope that by watching this video my students would take two messages:  that the people in the video have overcome adversities with a positive attitude, and that having a disability doesn't mean that someone can't function normally in society.