This is a questionnaire interview film that I conducted in the filming room. I chose this room because of the quiet and calm atmosphere and that there would be minimal to no interruptions and so that the audio of my questionnaire film would be easy to hear as well as easier than simply stopping and starting the interview everything an interruption takes place, as it would have been very exhausting and time-consuming.
I then asked my interviewee a series of questions relating to scoliosis and some of the various historical and statistical facts that I have obtained from my months of in-depth research into the condition. The facts that I have obtained proved to be very interesting to my interviewee, as the interviewee appeared to be quite surprised to see that I have came up with such detailed and complex and well thought out questions.
Due to the knowledgeability of my questionnaires, the interviewee was quite
1) Are you aware of the damage that can be caused if a scoliosis operation goes awry? 2) Do you know about a method for the treatment of scoliosis? 3) Do you know how many girls have scoliosis as compared to boys? 4) Do you know what idiopathic scoliosis is? 5) Are you aware of some of the most old and uncoventional methods of curing scolisis? 6) Do you know how journeys are made to doctors' practices every year for scoliosis diagnosis and treatment? 7) Are you aware of the basis of the first ever back brace?
1) Do you know how many operations people with scoliosis need? "No, I've heard of the disease, but I've never really researched in it" - Lee Johnson. 2) Do you many medical requirements, excluding surgery, that people with scoliosis need? "I have not really researched into scoliosis" - Lee Johnson. 3) Are you aware of the facts and figures around scoliosis? "It's something that I would to learn more about because I've never understood what it's like for a person with scoliosis to experience day-to-day life" - Lee Johnson. 4) How, if at all, have you heard of scoliosis? "I have heard about it on the news, but never truly understood what it is really" - Lee Johnson.
1) Have you met people with scoliosis who are or have been stigmatised? "I wouldn't treat you any differently, in that respect. I think you are sound" - Ashley Wilcock.
2) Are you aware of the surgical risks during a scoliosis operation? "No, I am not. Personally, I do not know, but I imagine that it is not easy" - Ashley Wilcock. 3) Do you know how long recovery from a scoliosis operation can take? "No, I do not know how long it takes" - Ashley Wilcock. 4) Are you aware of the academic consequences of recovering from a scoliosis operation "No, I don't" - Ashley Wilcock.
1) Do you know how many have scoliosis in the UK alone? ''I only know two people who have scoliosis: you and a dance student'' - Cheryl Boutty. 2) Do you know about the many types of scoliosis? ''The only that I know are either mild or severe. I would have to look up scoliosis to get a better view'' - Cheryl Boutty.
3) Are you aware of the risk factors based around scoliosis? ''Yes, I am. And the reason why I am aware is because of my job role as an Additional Support Officer. I am also supporting a student who has scoliosis and I am aware of the risk factors in regards to this student'' - Cheryl Boutty. 4) Are you aware of the various needs attached to the condition? ''Yes, I am aware. There's quite of physical needs that are attached to the condition. I believe that many students who recieve support with this condition benefit and manage to live, when the support's put into place, normal and happy lives, but only when the proper support's put into place" - Cheryl Boutty
2) Do you the conditions of scoliosis? ''I think it affects the spine, but some are more severe than others" - Jordan Smith. 3) Are you aware of the treatments avaliable for scoliosis? "No, I am not aware of the treatments" - Jordan Smith. 4) Do you know about the limitations of scoliosis? "No, I am not aware of the limitations" - Jordan Smith.
The origin of the spinal back brace can be traced back to the 5th century BC, wherein Hippocrates devoted his time towards creating long-term treatments for spinal difficulties. He eventually devised a treatment for spinal abnormalities where he called the "Hippocratic" method. This method essentially consisted of painful pressure being applied to the spine for a long period of time, in the hope that it would reduce the damage of spinal deformities.
In 2nd century AD, Galen of Pergamum, a student at a school that taught the Hippocratic method, added more pressure to the spine and combined it with the science of traction. Unfortunately, this improvised method had little benefits and, as time advanced, became non-existant.
In 1540, the first actual back brace was developed by Ambrose Pare, a French army surgeon who is generally revered as the harbinger of modern surgery, discovered that spinal deformities were caused by the spine being out by place. He created a padded iron corset and multiple holes were made into the corset as the patient grew and aged. The iron corset is hailed as causing the creation of the modern-day spinal back brace.
In 1861, the first practice that reflected the same tactics as modern scoliosis surgery was created by Lewis Albert Sayre. Sayre was a staff physician at the Bellevue Hospital in New York and is considered to be one of the creators of orthopaedic surgery in the US. During this period in time, treatment for idiopathic scoliosis were still in the primitive stages, and whether research into the deformity should continue was deemed very controversial.
Sayre believed that the cure for idiopathic scoliosis was through gymnastics. As proof of his theory, he conducted an experiment wherein he observed a group of girls with idiopathic scoliosis perform a series of gymnastics and found that they "...ascertained infrequent spinal development". In 1874, Sayre published a report into traction combined with a plaster cast and that it could solve spinal deformity.
Perhaps the most important development into the study and treatment of scoliosis is when Wilhelm Conrad Rontengen's discovery of the radiation that he called "x-ray" radiation in the early 1900's. Using x-rays, physicians were able to study the skeleton without having to dissect the body. X-rays originally had to be exposed to the skeleton for a very long time. This resulted in poor skeletal photos and therefore it was hard to analyse scoliosis. Also, people back then did not know of the risks attached to over-exposure to radiation.
In 1930, x-ray picture quality had improved greatly and researchers used a measurement system known as "Rontengengrams" to scoliosis-related illnesses.
''Scoliosis affects five to seven million people in the US alone'' - AQA Website
''Inmore than80% of cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown, this is known as idiopathic scoliosis'' - AQA Website
''4 out of 5 people with scoliosis have spinal curves of less than 20 degrees'' - AQA Website
''More than half of a million visits are made to doctors' offices each year for the evaluation and treatment of scoliosis'' - AQA Website
''Generally, the vast majority of scoliosis cases remain mild, don't progress and require little treatment'' - AQA Website
''If the spinal curvature is less than 10 degress, it is most likely simply a postural change'' - AQA Website
''In a group made up of young girls who have scoliosis, who have curvatures of 25 degrees or larger, never progressed in their scoliosis'' - AQA Website
''Surgery is often used in the few and quite rare occasions where the spinal curvature is 45 degrees or more and is still progressing. It may also be used if the curvature is at risk of affecting the heart, lungs or other vital organs'' - AQA Website
''Researchers are looking into the cause of idiopathic scoliosis. They are studying genetics, growth and changes in the spine, muscles and nerves'' - NIH Website
''Walking, running, football and gymnastics are all possible ways to keep the spine strong'' - NIH Website
''One of the most common visible symptom associated with idiopathic scoliosis is shoulder height asymmetry, wherein one shoulder appears higher than the other'' - SRS Website
''A prominence in the back or lump is the second most common sign of scoliosis in general'' - SRS Website
''Idiopathic scoliosis rarely causes pain and, in most cases, is minor. However, once it has been discovered, it is highly reccommended it is closely inspected by a medical professional in the event it is does require treatment'' - Spine-Health Website
''The most common kind of back brace is the "Boston brace" or, as it is most commonly referred to as the "underarm" brace. The brace is fitted to the child's body using custom moulded plastic. The Milkaukee brace is similar to the aforementioned "Boston brace", but it has a neck ring with vertical bars to hold it in place" - Spine-Health Website
"Scoliosis is more common in girls than boys, and girls with scoliosis are more likely to require treatment" - Kids Health
"Treatment can reduce scoliosis-induced spinal curvatures by 50%" - Spine-Health Website
"Not all forms of scoliosis result in surgery. Surgery on scoliosis depends on the location and length of the curvature" - Spine-Health Website
"Albeit the cause of idiopathic scoliosis is as of yet unknown, there are two key medical aspects that we know about it: a scoliosis curvature that is small or is of no risk of getting worse may not need treatment. However, a young person with a large scoliosis curvature may require treatment." - Spine-Health Website "Even without an x-ray, there are still many ways to spot scoliosis. For example, one shoulder being higher than the other, one shoulder blade sticks out more, the waist appearing uneven, and the body tilting from one side to the other" - Spine-Health Website "Aside from the obvious, there are other methods for easing back pain: maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding long periods of bed rest, wearing low-heeled shoes, sleeping on a medium firmness mattress and always warm up before doing any kind of exercise, even gardening" - ACA Website
"The treatment of scoliosis is divided in three key groups: observation: if the scoliosis is not seriously severe, your doctor or GP might suggest frequent check-ups, bracing: if your doctor or GP may recommend that you wear a back brace. This will not correct the scoliosis, but it will stop it from getting any worse. Finally, surgery: if the scoliosis is getting worse, even with the back brace, your doctor or GP will advise surgery. The most common operation is spinal fusion, it is also a long and complex operation with a low but serious risk of damage to the spinal cord" - Bupa UK Website
"In the 1960's, the best and most effective way to diagnose idiopathic scoliosis was to view the spinal curvature from the "posterior" (from behind the back)" - SpineUniverse Website
"Scoliosis is a medical term taken from the Greek word for curvature" - SpineUniverse Website
"There are three types of scoliosis that affect children: infantile scoliosis, which occurs before the age of 3. It is more frequent in boys and if left untreated, it can lead to severe spinal deformity, juvenile scoliosis, which occurs more frequently in girls between the ages of 3 and 10. It has a high risk of progressing and requires surgery, and Adolescent scoliosis AKA Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis or AIS: which occurs between the age of 10 and the age when the skeleton matures. AIS frequently occurs during adolescent growth spurts. It has an incredibly high risk of progressing, and often requires surgery" - SpineUniverse Website
"Approximately 2% to 3% of Americans at the age of 16 have scoliosis. Less than 0.1% have spinal curvatures of 40 degrees or more" - Osteoarthritis Health Center Website
"There are four main types of scoliosis: congenital scoliosis, which is caused by a bone abnormality at birth, neuromuscular scoliosis: the result of abnormal muscles or nerves. Frequently seen in people with spina bifida or cerebal palsy and can result in paralysis, degenerative scoliosis: possibly the result of traumatic bone collapse, a previous back operation or osteoporosis, and idiopathic scoliosis: a theory is that this type of scoliosis is inherited." - Osteoarthritis Health Center Website
''Another term for scoliosis is called congenital kyphosis" - Kids Health
"There are also other different kinds of back braces aimed at treating scoliosis: the Wilmington brace, the Providence brace, and the Charleston brace." - Kids Health
Howard Hart, born in Rochester, New York, on August 4th, 1968, is a professional golfer who plays at the PGA tours. Despite suffering with scoliosis, he became quite skilled with golf and acquired more and more prowess as he was growing up. His first claim to fame was when he won the 1996 Bell Canadian Open. His second victory came in the 2000 Honda Classic Open. Aside from playing tennis, he also owns a golf club, The Lake Shore Club, and likes to play there himself against the members.
James Blake was in Yonkers, New York, USA, on December 28th 1979. He is a professional tennis player and is notorious for his flat hand tennis manoeuver. Suffering with mild scoliosis, he had to wear a back brace during his high school years. In 2007, he published an autobiography: 'Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life'. In 2008, he was awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Kurt Cobain was in Aberdeen, Washington, USA in 1967. He attended Aberdeen High School, and co-formed a rock grunge band called Nirvana in his home town of Aberdeen when he was 20 years old. He also injured agonising and severe back pain due to his scoliosis.
Usain St. Leo Bolt was born in 1986 in Sherwood Content, Jamaica. He is Jamaica's most successful Olympic runner and is currently regarded as the world's fastest person. He is the first person to hold both the 100 metre and 200 metre since time measurements were made compulsory in 1977. He is currently the reigning world champion of three Olympic events. He broke the Olympic world record for the 4x100 relay.
I created a documentary about the Robin Thicke single ‘Blurred
Lines’ and the mixed views and controversy that it gained regarding it’s sexist
and misogynistic lyrics about women. The mixed reactions that I observed from some
of my fellow students were just as interesting as the mainstream controversy.
For example, one student said that the music video was
very appealing and was suitable for broadcast.
However, the student thinks that when women see the music
video, perhaps they might not approve of it and acknowledges that while he
likes it, others will not like it nor desire to watch the video or other music
videos that portray women in that manner.
Another student said that it is people’s choice whether
to or to not watch the music video and that if people do not want to listen to
it, then they shouldn’t if they don’t like it and complimented the music video’s
happy and vibrant tone.
On the other hand, the student said that they can
understand the music video is so controversial because of the way that it
portrays men as being superior to women and that the women must be subservient
towards the men.
However, another student’s opinions were much less
approving or tolerable towards the single’s impression of women. They said that
Robin Thicke treats women like second-class citizens and does not value or
respect them in any kind of way.
The student also said that from this video, women can
ascertain a view that they have no other goals and ambitions in life apart from
serving the men’s fantasies and could be used to promote or condone rape or
other forms or sexual predatory and even called Blurred Lines an outright
horrible video.
One of my tutors was even more opposed to the video and
it’s content, even saying that the models in the video are treated as animals
and sex objects. The tutor feels that the video portrays a very negative ideal
for women to attempt to live up to because it tells women that they must serve
men and do whatever they ask women to do.
The tutor also thinks that the music video demonstrates a
powerful image against men as well because it states that men want to be
popular and successful in life, they have to be able to wear and afford nice
and smart clothes and have lots of women around them and desire to be with them
all of the time.
Overall, I feel that Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines is very
controversial and divides opinion in virtually every matter concerning the
music video and it’s lyrics and what they contain and suggest. From what I saw
on this documentary, it seems that even young people who have not really
experienced life fully, yet have a founded opinion on topics such as sexism, content, misogyny, sexual consent and debates about taste.
I also feel that people hold very strong views, whether
they be for or against something and very determined on those views.
What gender what like 'Blurred Lines'?
I think that the both genders may like this music video. Males might like it because the music video itself is male-dominated. Females might like it because of the fashion that the models are wearing.
What geological demographic type might like the song?
The geo-demagraphic type that might like 'Blurred Lines' might be people from the EU or the Americas. However people in countries such as Japan might like the song due to their cultural connections to the West. However, in poorest and LEDCs such as Africa could not see it and therefore can't hold an opinion.
What, if any, faith groups might like the song?
I think that 'Blurred Lines' may be fairly controversial or condemned within most religions. However, certain religious people might like the song due to lyrics making various refrences towards female equality. However, it is also widespread with controversy across mainstream faiths and religions.
Can people of various levels of disposable income afford to watch the video and listen to the song?
I think that any person of disposable income can afford to watch the video and listen to the song. Therefore, any person can hold an opinion on the music video and what they feel is acceptable and unacceptable.
Would people with varying ambitions like the music video and lyrics?
I think that people with any ambitions would like the music video and the lyrics. Their ambitions can be high or low as this does not affect why they would like the music video or not. It also dictates what your life ambitions should be.
What would people of various ethnic origins think of this music video and it's lyrics?
I think that people of certain ethnic origins would take offence towards the video and the lyrics because they might not agree with what the lyrics represent. However, people of other ethnic origins might like the video and the lyrics because of the rhythm and the actual music. They may also like the music video because Pharrell Williams is actively in the video, who is also of ethnic origin.
What would people of certain interests think of the music video and the lyrics?
I think that people who have an interest in music and are constantly chasing the hottest new music and genre might like this because it has a rhythm and a vibe. However, people who have a very keen interest in protesting and advocating for more feminism and female rights might be repulsed and disgusted at the music video for dismissing one of their key interests.
What would people of certain fashion think of the music video and it's lyrics?
I think that people of very controversial fashion would like the music video as it promotes their type of fashion. I think that the type of more modest clothing might find the video obscene and controversial. This is true as some young girls who have watched the video and/or heard the lyrics might dress provocatively to act like one of the models in 'Blurred Lines'.
What would who live in certain locations think about 'Blurred Lines'?
I think that the certain locations where people live, e.g.: towns, suburbs, cities, etc, would affect how they view 'Blurred Lines'. A person who lives in a village might view the video as misogynistic and immoral due to their rural lifestyle. However, a person in a city might see 'Blurred Lines' as acceptable for viewing because of their non-agricultural lifestyle.
