Joey Deacon
| Joseph John Deacon | |
|---|---|
| Born |
24 May 1920 Camberwell, London |
| Died | 3 December 1981 (aged 61) Caterham, Surrey |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Joey |
| Occupation | Author |
Joseph John "Joey" Deacon (24 May 1920 – 3 December 1981) was a British author and television personality.
Joseph "Joey" Deacon was born with severe cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that left him with a neuromuscular "spastic pattern" that particularly afflicted his arms and legs. Deacon's condition resulted in significant muscular tonus, a tendency for muscular flexion of arms and extension of legs. This virtually prevented fine motor control in his hands, arms and legs. Although Deacon could walk with assistance, he mostly used a wheelchair. Deacon's speech was also unintelligible to most, bar his closest friends.
Deacon was institutionalised as a child and later made shoes in sheltered accommodation. As he was unable to communicate freely, he was mistakenly perceived to be "mentally " by some peers. However, with the help of his friends Ernie Roberts, Tom Blackburn and Michael Sangster, Deacon was able to write an autobiography, entitled Tongue Tied, which was published by the charity Mencap as part of their Subnormality in the Seventies series. The book provided insight into the lives of those with physical disabilities. With royalties raised from book sales and donations, Deacon and his friends purchased a home that they would be able to reside in.
Always believing him to be mentally normal and intelligent, his mother would ask him to count the motor cars passing at the front of their house, to which Joey would respond by blinking for each car that passed. During his childhood in the hospital, he proved his intelligence several times in tests, using non-verbal communication such as blinking or pointing with his nose.
Deacon had a number of leg surgeries at St. Childe's Hospital when he was around four, but these were not successful. At six, his mother died of tuberculosis and Joey was raised by his grandmother. At eight, following several more operations, he was admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital in Carshalton, then transferred six months later to Caterham Mental Hospital (latterly St Lawrence's Hospital), where he remained for the rest of his life. He remained in contact with his father until his father's death.
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