How a paralyzed man revolutionized life for the disabled from a mobile respirator chair
In short: In 1958, Robin Cavendish was paralyzed by polio and given months to live. Instead of succumbing to hospital confinement, he defied medical expectations by moving home and inventing a mobile respirator chair. His journey, captured in the 2017 film Breathe, transformed the lives of countless others facing similar physical limitations.
Directed by Andy Serkis in his debut, the 2017 biographical drama Breathe chronicles the life of Robin Cavendish, a man who became paralyzed from the neck down at age 28. After contracting polio in Kenya, Cavendish was told he had only three months to live, as he required a mechanical respirator to breathe. The film depicts his initial despair and his eventual decision to leave the hospital, a move his consultant, Dr. Entwistle, warned would be fatal.
With the support of his wife, Diana, and his friend Teddy Hall, Cavendish developed a wheelchair equipped with a built-in respirator. This invention allowed him to regain his mobility and travel, eventually leading him to collaborate with Dr. Clement Aitken to produce more chairs. These devices enabled other patients to leave their hospital wards, marking a significant shift in the treatment and independence of severely disabled individuals. Cavendish later became an advocate for more humane medical care, famously challenging the prison-like conditions he witnessed in German hospitals.
While the film received praise for the performances of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, critics were divided on its tone. Some reviewers, such as Mark Kermode, lauded the film's technical detail and emotional weight. Others, including those at The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter, argued that the screenplay by William Nicholson leaned too heavily into a heartwarming, fairy-tale narrative, potentially glossing over the complexities of the couple's life and the grittier realities of disability. Despite these critiques, the film remains a testament to the influence of Jonathan Cavendish, the couple's son, who produced the project to honor the eccentric, resilient spirit of his parents.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Breathe (2017 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-breathe-2017-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
