Documentary about a Man called Joe

[Jannway]

Does anyone remember, some years ago there was a tv docudrama about a man,, considered mentally deficient because he had difficulty speaking., who had been placed as a young boy in a mental institution. I think his name was Joe.

A new inmate in the institution turned out to be the only person who could understand what Joe was saying and listening carefully he was able to type or write out what the man was saying.

It turned out that Joe had been deprived of oxygen during or after his birth. This had affected his speech. Due to this he had been considered mentally subnormal. My daughter is teaching students about health care and would really like to be able to track this down if possible.

[mushroom25]

Yes! the man in question was Joey Deacon; his book, "tongue-tied" was dictated to Ernie Roberts (who could understand him), then written down in long hand & typed out by two other long term residents of their hospital.

Truly amazing.

[mushroom25]

oh, and the documentary, broadcast in 1975, was made for the BBC's Horizon series & called "Joey".