On 5th May 2022, Independence at Home celebrated the unveiling of a blue plaque for Doris Page (1925-1991), pioneer campaigner and journalist for disabled people.
This special event commemorated the incredible achievements of Doris Page who was a woman way ahead of her time. The event was attended by Doris’ family and friends, and also by David Astor, Chair of Independence at Home, and Melanie Derbyshire, Chief Executive.
Doris Page, who wrote under the pen name of Ann Armstrong, was a young mother and journalist, who contracted respiratory poliomyelitis in October 1955. It left her unable to move any muscle between her neck and her toes and she needed an ‘iron lung’ to breathe. She spent many hours isolated in hospital, separated from her husband and two young sons. With the help of a Possum typewriter, she wrote the book ‘Breath of Life’ (published by the BBC and serialised on Women’s Hour) about the torment of lying helpless in hospital and the deep pain of being cut off from family life. In 1962, Ann wrote ‘The Cost of Polio’, an article which featured on the Manchester Guardian’s women’s page.
Her resilience and determination meant a great many MPs and thousands of ordinary people became aware of the cost of polio, the demands on finances, and the courage, love, and mental and physical energy of families of those who simply wanted to live independently at home.
One such person was the Hon. John Astor, MP for Newbury. He took up the immense challenge of changing people’s lives and as a result, the charity Independence at Home was established in 1965.
The charity that grew from Doris’ tireless campaigning has been enabling independence at home for disabled people and those with a long-term illness since 1965 by the provision of grants to support equipment that has practical, positive and immediate impact, resulting in greater independence and freedom for each individual to live life in the way they want.
David Astor, Chair of Independence at Home said: “My father was inspired by Doris’ work and by the courage and tenacity with which she set about overcoming the considerable challenges life threw at her. As a direct result of meeting her, and recognising the lack of state support to help people such as her, Independence at Home was founded – to help people with chronic illnesses stay at home, and to live as normal a life as possible.”
Since its founding, Independence at Home has made grants totalling more than £8.5 million pounds to over 47,000 people – of all ages, right across the UK.
Melanie Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Independence at Home said: “I am deeply honoured to represent Independence at Home today as we celebrate the achievements of Doris Page. Writing under the pen-name Ann Armstrong, she was a pioneering campaigner for disabled people and the issues she campaigned about in 1962 are even more relevant today – with the disproportional impacts on disabled people of the Covid-19 pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis. Doris was a founding member of our charity, which has never been more needed. If you would like to help us, please just visit our website: https://www.justgiving.com/independenceathome
Watch our film of the unveiling here:
For more information about Doris Page please visit: