Horizon (1964)

Episode Overview

In Britain, one in every 1,000 pregnancies is affected by spinal or brain defects like spina bifida. Thirty years ago, actress Ruth Madeley was among those affected. Although she lives with spina bifida, she still grapples with understanding the condition. In this documentary, Ruth embarks on a journey to uncover the reasons behind her condition, its preventability, and what it means for her future. She meets a lord advocating for legal reforms that could reduce the incidence of such defects. Ruth also learns about groundbreaking surgery that can correct spina bifida before birth, hearing from families whose lives have been transformed and following British surgeons preparing to undertake this remarkable procedure for the first time. Finally, she reflects on contemporary attitudes towards disability in Britain and questions if we need to rethink our perspectives.