2011 – Life-limiting illness & the deaf community

Two films made with Birmingham Institute for the Deaf about the problems faced by deaf people living with life-limiting illness when communicating with health professionals.

Philip signing about his wife's cancer 1

Phillip and Cheryl 1 (9:34)

Phillip is a deaf biker. His wife Cheryl is partially deaf and has cancer. Phil needs to know as much as he can about Cheryl’s illness so he can support her. But the medical profession often overlooks Phil’s deafness and overrides his communication needs, putting undue pressure on his relationship with Cheryl.

Philip in his workshop

Phillip and Cheryl 2 (9:57)

Cancer is hard enough to deal with at the best of times. When you’re deaf you’re at a double disadvantage because the medical profession don’t take the added challenge of communicating with deaf people seriously enough.

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