Dr.Ludwig Guttmann - founder of the Paralympics 1948 - fascinating story

[Nick Walker]

On Thursday I watched a wonderful BBC drama called, 'The Best of Men'. A film about Dr Ludwig Guttman, a German neurologist who fled nazi Germany (after helping to save many Jewish people) to Britain and later founded the Paralympic games (1948) while treating disabled WWII veterans at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

A remarkable man, he transformed the lives of many patients' with spinal injuries through sport, in contrast to the accepted medical practice of the day - heavy sedation, immobility leading to severe bed sores and infections which often led to premature deaths.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a394898/the-best-of-men-eddie-marsan-qa-everyones-cried-their-eyes-out.html

http://www.poppaguttmanncelebration.org/poppa2.php

For those who can access BBC iPlayer - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m1jqd/The_Best_of_Men/

Video interview with poppa Guttman - http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/sports/olympics/playing-to-win-canada-at-the-paralympics/rehabilitation-through-sport.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkyzdVOiTJ4 - Bronze life size statute of Sir Ludwig Guttman by Mark Jackson will be unveiled at this year's Paralympics -

Interesting work and story (from soldier to sculptor- see link below) by the sculptor, Mark Jackson. http://www.jackoart.com/artist.php

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/5320097/Mark-Jackson-from-soldier-to-sculptor.html

[Rhossydd]

Yes it was a good programme.
I wasn't too convinced by the grading, "widescreen" look or jump edits, but the story and performances carried it along well.