DEACON, John.

Joseph John Deacon (1920–1981) was a British author and advocate for individuals with disabilities. Born with severe cerebral palsy, his condition significantly impacted his motor control and speech, leading some to mistakenly believe he had intellectual impairments. Despite these challenges, Deacon demonstrated intelligence through non-verbal communication and, with the assistance of friends, authored his autobiography, 'Tongue Tied' (1974). This work, published by Mencap, offered insights into the lives of those with physical disabilities.

Deacon's life and the collaborative effort behind his book were the subject of television documentaries, including the BAFTA-winning 'Joey' by the Horizon program. Royalties from his book and donations enabled him and his friends to move into more independent housing. While his unique speech and mannerisms brought him public attention, they also unfortunately led to him being a subject of ridicule among some children. A charity, The Deacon Centre, was later established to continue his legacy.

Joseph John Deacon was born in 1920 with severe cerebral palsy, a condition affecting his neuromuscular system, particularly his limbs. This resulted in significant muscle spasticity, hindering fine motor control in his hands and legs. While he could walk with assistance, he primarily used a wheelchair. His speech was also difficult for most to understand. Institutionalized as a child, Deacon's communication difficulties led to him being misjudged as having intellectual impairments by some. However, his mother recognized his cognitive abilities, devising non-verbal tests like counting cars by blinking. Throughout his childhood, he proved his intelligence through various non-verbal assessments during hospital stays. Despite multiple unsuccessful leg surgeries and the early loss of his mother, Deacon maintained contact with his father.

In 1970, Deacon embarked on writing his autobiography, 'Tongue Tied,' a project undertaken with the support of three close friends. Ernie Roberts, who also had cerebral palsy and could understand Deacon's speech, acted as a crucial intermediary, transcribing Deacon's dictation. Michael Sangster wrote down the dictated text, and Tom Blackburn, after teaching himself to type, produced the final manuscript. The process took fourteen months for the forty-four-page book. 'Tongue Tied' was published by Mencap as part of their 'Subnormality in the Seventies' series, providing a personal perspective on living with physical disabilities. The book's publication garnered significant attention, including features on BBC Radio 4 and a BBC television documentary.

The friendship between Deacon and his collaborators endured for decades within the hospital setting. Their bond and the creation of 'Tongue Tied' were highlighted in the award-winning television documentary 'Joey.' Following the success of his autobiography, Deacon and his friends began work on a fictional novel, though it remained unpublished. Funds raised from 'Tongue Tied' and donations allowed the four friends to move into a bungalow on the hospital grounds in 1979, fostering greater independence. Deacon passed away in 1981. His story later served as the basis for a medical journal article assessing intelligence in individuals with communication impairments, demonstrating Deacon's normal cognitive abilities. In 2020, a charity named The Deacon Centre was established to honor his legacy, offering creative programs for individuals with mental and communication disabilities.