Reflections on writing and exhibiting learning disability history: commentary on “Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus: Our Heritage”

The purpose of this paper is to comment on the article “Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus: Our Heritage – the role of heritage exhibitions in tackling social isolation.”

This provides some further reflection and points for discussion on topics arising from the themes in the original article.

Issues are raised about the medicalisation of conditions and the ways in which a social and cultural model of disability challenges preconceptions and assumptions about personhood and victim status. Reference is made to the broader context of hidden histories and the ways in which people with learning disabilities are now taking active roles in reclaiming the story of their lives in the past and now.

The paper aims to raise awareness of critical issues of learning disability history prompted by the original paper.