Give Them Wings: The Autobiography of Paul Hodgson

Disabled as a result of childhood meningitis, Paul Hodgson has written this autobiography in order to challenge the stereotype of the wheelchair-bound victim. Far from being a passive spectator, we learn how Paul struggled to care for his mother through several strokes and Alzheimer’s disease and of the rift this caused within his family. He also speaks of the Community Care system, his experiences of education and employment, and the loyalty of his friends. This is his account of life as a fan of Darlington Football Club which reveals another side to Paul’s nature, with its fascinating compendium of mishaps and drink-fueled escapades, which are invariably laced with his own brand of black humour. Give Them Wings is a graphic story of one man’s fortitude in the face of severe odds, it offers a unique insight into what it means to be disabled in modern society. The book ties in with a blockbuster film of his life, Give Them Wings, directed by Sean Cronin and due to be released in summer 2021. The film won the Best Feature at The London Independent Film Festival and stars Daniel Watson (as Paul) together with Toyah Wilcox.