'Don't fence me in'. Portrayal in novels and TV dramas of illnesses that impose a limitation of movement
Oderwald, A.K.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 155(29): A3536
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 21791139 Document Number: 653662
Diseases that lead to a limitation of movement play a role in many novels, autobiographies and TV dramas. The cause of such diseases may lie centrally, in the central nervous system, or peripherally, in bones or muscles. They have great symbolic significance due to the loss of freedom imposed. Patients' reactions may vary from acceptance to denial. Denial is best seen in Anna Enquist's novel The secret, but above all in The Singing Detective by Dennis Potter.