Stories to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities

There have in the past been some remarkable individuals within the St Helens' district who, like Andy Reid today, have courageously triumphed over their adversity.

Joe Hatton was both deaf and blind after suffering meningitis at the age of four. But he learnt to hold conversations by placing his fingers on the lips or throat of the person he was conversing with.

Often described as the St Helens version of the American Helen Keller, when Joe married Enid Slater in 1959, hundreds of well-wishers crowded outside the Dentons Green church.

The St Helens Reporter wrote: "A congregation of 120 listened intently while Mr. Hatton – his fingers and thumb resting lightly on the minister's throat and lips – repeated the marriage vows.

"Mr Hatton is the only man in the world, who although blind and deaf, can communicate by touch. His courage has been widely acclaimed."

Renowned for his cheerful demeanour, Joe lived in Graham Street in Pocket Nook and after marrying moved to Horace Street in Queens Park.

James Eden was another amazing man. Despite being blind through an explosion in a coalmine, James spent three decades serving on Rainford Council and was twice its chairman.

A resident of Higher Lane, James was made a county magistrate in 1930 and seven years later was awarded an MBE for services to local government.

In 1945 the Manchester Evening News wrote: "Councillor Eden, although blind, can write shorthand, can operate a typewriter, and has acted as a local reporter on a weekly newspaper."

Next year will be the 80th anniversary of Margaret Shard becoming St Helens' first female mayor – and I'll be writing a special feature for the Star to commemorate her achievement.

But Councillor Shard also shattered the glass ceiling for disability, as well as gender, as she'd lost six fingers and a thumb in an ordnance factory explosion while undertaking war work. Margaret had many admirers after developing an amazing dexterity using her single thumb and two little fingers.

The agility of Albert Holding – who had lost his right arm in WW1 – astonished many of his customers. Being single-handed did not stop him from running a record shop in Duke Street where he developed an ability to insert records into bags and securely tie them up.

That feat involved feeding string first through the hole in the centre of the disc and then into another hole in the bag. Albert would then tie the string up at the bag's open end so that the disc would not fall out – all accomplished using just one hand.

In 1947 Peter Rigby had both his hands blown off in an explosion at the Holman & Mitchell lead factory in St Helens. Then living in New Street in Sutton, Peter was fitted with prosthetic hands connected to specially shaped sleeves.

Peter Rigby with wife Ada – his gloves hide his prosthetic hands (Image: Stan and Bill Bate)

Custom-made eating implements – such as a knife, fork and spoon – were attached when needed and tools such as a hammer, saw, screwdriver and even a spade could also be fitted. As a result Peter was able to carry out many ordinary tasks and return to his work.

Nephews Stan and Bill Bate have told me: "Our uncle overcame the loss of his hands and always had a cheerful attitude and never complained of the misfortune that changed his life."

And finally, in 1961 the courage of young Niall McGuire touched the hearts of St Helens' folk.

The 4-year-old from Walkers Lane in Sutton Manor needed to have both legs amputated after a traffic accident.

The St Helens Reporter created a fund for Niall and the public donated £2,200, the equivalent of around £70,000 in today's money.

After being fitted with two artificial legs, the Reporter wrote: "Always laughing and joking, Niall told the Reporter that his “school” – the hospital training centre where he goes every weekday, if possible – is “smashing”."

There have been many other courageous individuals who've overcome their disabilities. If one was a member of your family, why not write to the Star at news@sthelensstar.co.uk and tell their story?

Stephen Wainwright's latest book The Hidden History Of St Helens Vol 4 is available from the St Helens Book Stop and The World of Glass and online from eBay and Amazon with free delivery. Price £12. Vols 1 to 3 are also still available.