For the documentary 'Joey' I wanted to interview my local MP to understand their opinion on those with disabilties and also those who are carers. I devised a letter address to the Solihull Constituency (Conservative) and Birmingham Constituency (Labour). This was so I was able to get opposing views from two parties who have very different views regarding disabilites.
Conservative Email:
Planning the Documentary: To begin storyboarding,I realized I had to focus on the script for the Documentary so that I would be able too visualise how it would flow together to be able to allow for flashbacks, sharp cuts and jumps to a certain time period within the life of Joey and my Nan also.
Script Questions for Interviewing Joey's Carer(Nan):
How old were you when you had Joey? Briefly explain your life circumstance at that time.
What was Joey diagnosed with when he was first born?
When was the first time you realized Joey wasn't responding like other children?
In your own words, can you describe what Joey's conditions are?
How does this affect him physically?
How does this affect him mentally?
Do you feel as though the Government have supported Joey's health conditions?
Has Joey ever attended Mainstream School?
When did Joey begin attending the Adult Training Centre?
Does Joey have a constant carer that visits him at home as well as at the respite centre?
When was Joey officially diagnosed as epileptic/autistic/severe learning disabilities?
Has he ever lived part of a 'normal' life? i.e had a girlfriend, been independent?
How often would you say Joey suffers from seizures?
Would you say his conditions have got worse over the years, or would you say they have mellowed?
Have the NHS increased Joey's medication?
When did the Government begin to help you with caring for Joey?
When would you say the fits began to get worse?
Have visits from the respite centre become more frequent?
Would you say Joey is fit to work?
Have you ever received any form of letter indicating that Joey might be able to work?
Has Joey ever had any aggressive episodes due to medication?
About her life:
Explain your life as a child before Joey was born.
What kind of life did you lead before Joey was born?
Have you worked throughout your life?
Were you able to maintain work with Joey when he was a child?
Were you living at home when Joey was born?
When did you meet Grandad?
Have you had children with Raymond?
How old was Joey?
Did he react well to the situation?
How would you describe your current health situation?
Did you get support for Joey from your family?
Describe the life Joey lead alongside his siblings?
When did the Government begin paying Carer's allowance for you?
How long after Joey was born did you feel that they began helping you?
When did you have your pacemaker fitted?
Why did you have a pacemaker fitted?
Would you say that your responsibilities for Joey have increased over the years?
Would you say that you've been able to get a good night sleep for the past 59 years?
Are the respite centre's a form of retreat for you - in your personal life, allowing you to have a break from Joey?
Would you say you ever get a break from dealing with the responsibilities for Joey?
How did attending the VWP make you feel?
Would you say Joey is able to work?
Do you think you get a lot of help from family members/government with Joey?
Do you think it's fair that you are unable to get a Pension alongside a Carer's allowance?
Why do you think they treat it this way? As an overlapping benefit?
Questions for Siblings:
What is your relation to Joey?
How old was Joey when you were born?
How do you think Nan copes with Joey's disabilities?
What do you think the quality of life is like for an individual suffering from these issues?
How would you say Joey communicates with you and other family members?
How was Raymond as a father to Joey?
Do you admire him for taking on the responsibility of a child that wasn't his with such difficulties?
Can you describe what the house was like when you were growing up?
Was it difficult to comprehend what was wrong with Joey when you were a child?
Did you understand the situation?
Did you feel as though you weren't given as much attention because Joey required more throughout the day?
How much strain would you say it's put on your mom over the years?
Would you say Nan has had much of a quality of life?
Would you say Joey has had a good quality of life?
How would you describe what Joey is suffering with?
What do you remember - visually from growing up with a brother suffering from epilepsy/autism/severe learning disabilities?
Questions for Local MP:
What do you know about Learning Disabilites/Autism and Epilepsy from a political stance?
Would you say the Carer's allowance gives lenience to those over a certain age? For example, a pensioner.
If so, could you explain to me how it is that an elderly woman of 77 can't receive a pension and a Carer's allowance because they are considered an overlapping benefit?
Would you say that there are measurements in place to help those carers who are elderly?
The VWP letters that are received from the Government, how would you say they are assessed?
Are you aware these letters are being sent out blindly? i.e, with no experience of reviewing the people they are sending the letters to
Would you say a person suffering from epilepsy, autism and severe learning disabilities have the physical and mental ability to go to work?
What measurements do you think should be in place for carers?
Do you think that if Labour/Lib Dems/Conservatives were in power that you would be able to bring any of these matters to light?