What is it that so offends you? Yes, that's the word. It offends me, it *does*. This is a...

[the committee is discussing Dr Guttmann's proposals for a national spinal injuries games] Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: What is it that so offends you? Dr. Cowan: Yes, that's the word. It offends me, it *does*. This is a hospital. We have respectable people here, visiting sick relatives. We have children visiting their parents. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: I don't understand. Dr. Cowan: It's not pleasant. I'm sorry, but it's not. People in wheelchairs, withered limbs, damaged bodies. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: Ah, now I understand. We hide them away. Is this it? Is this what you say? Corporal Bowen with the bitter humour and the wife who loves him? Corporal James with his longing to teach history. David Dakers who plays the baboon like an angel. [everyone sniggers at Guttman's mistaken use of "baboon" instead of "bassoon"] Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: And William Heath who has fought longer and harder to survive than you will ever have to. *We* are ashamed of *them*? Dr. Cowan: I'm not saying *that*. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: No, you are not honest enough to say it.

a bloody brass band next. We've already had the Windmill Girls. What is it that so offends you? Yes, that's the word. It offends me, it does. This is a hospital. We have respectable people here visiting sick relatives. We have children visiting their parents. I don't understand. It's not pleasant. I'm sorry, but it's not. People in wheelchairs, withered limbs, damaged bodies. Ah...now I understand. I'm not going to a geriatric home. They're not all old. There's a little girl in a basket chair. You can't live alone. Why not? I can dress myself, bathe myself, wipe my own bum. There's no need to talk like that. What happens if you fall out of that thing? "Thing"? My chair? Wynne's repairing cars from his, made a hoisting so he can lean into the engine. Wynne has a wife. He isn't living alone. We don't know what you want. To be my own man, live my own life, wherever I am, be part of the world. Guttmann: We hide them away? Is this it, is this what you say? Corporal Bowen with the bitter humor and the wife who loves him? Corporal James with the longing to teach history? Davey Dakers, who plays the baboon like an angel? And William Heath, who has fought longer and harder to survive than you will ever have to. We are ashamed of them? I'm not saying that. No--you are not honest enough to say it. I'm sorry, William, but we can't allow that. Now, we've got a room waiting for you-- I'm 20, Dad. Being like this doesn't make me 6 again. -I am an adult. -We've written our wills. Everything we have, we leave to you in trust. You don't trust me with a checkbook! Just bugger off, Dad, because I don't want any of it. If I walk out of those gates now, I will not come back. -Jim! -It's all right, Mum. -Let him go. -No, I'm serious. If you're gonna turn your back on what me and your mother have arranged-- I am. You won't see us again until you see sense. In that case... He doesn't mean it. He's got the tickets. I know. It's all right. Cowan: Delusions of grandeur! I will have my parallel Olympics, Mr. Cowan.