The Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand

This 65 minute long documentary looks at the treatment of New Zealand children born with cerebral palsy (a set of conditions which affect motor control, caused by brain defects that typically occur around pregnancy and birth). Made for the Department of Health, the National Film Unit production visits a specialist unit in Rotorua, to praise the understanding and care applied to help the ‘cerebral palsied’ live full lives. Director Frank Chilton was made an OBE for services to handicapped children. This film won a Diploma of Merit at the 1957 Edinburgh Film Festival.

For John and for many other cerebral palsied children, new worlds of ideas and skills and learning are being opened up everyday. In every civilised country specialists are working to dispel the ignorance and prejudice which have surrounded the condition for centuries …

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Frank Chilton

Writer, Editor, Director

Derek Wright

Camera