Exploring the Past: CPM at the Black Country Living Museum

The visit included a meeting with the BCLM team, where we discussed how both organisations can work together to ensure that stories about disability are told with honesty, empathy, and authenticity. The Museum’s inclusive storytelling approach: “real life, real stories”, aligns closely with CPM’s own mission: to celebrate progress while remembering how far the disability community has come. 

 

For those unfamiliar, the Wendy Box was a charity collection box created in the 1950s depicting a young girl with cerebral palsy. While these boxes were originally designed to encourage donations for disability charities, over time they came to symbolise outdated and patronising attitudes - framing disabled people as objects of pity rather than individuals with agency and dignity. Our collaboration with BCLM seeks to reframe Wendy’s story, exploring how she can instead represent strength, resilience, and the progress of disability advocacy. 

 

During our visit, we had the opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits, learn more about its interpretive work, and share ideas for co-curating new materials that reflect lived experience. We also discussed possibilities for oral histories, artifact sharing, and even a disability access trail, helping future visitors engage with history through a more inclusive and accessible lens. 

 

It was especially meaningful to reflect on CPM’s own journey, from our beginnings as the Midlands Spastic Association (MSA) in the 1940s, through the establishment of Carlson House School, to our continued work supporting people with cerebral palsy across the Midlands today. As we look ahead to CPM’s 80th anniversary in 2027, this partnership with BCLM feels like a fitting way to honour that legacy while continuing to challenge perceptions and inspire change. 

 

Of course, no trip to the Black Country Living Museum would be complete without sampling the famous fish and chips - which, we can confirm, were well worth the wait! A quick stop at the gift shop afterwards rounded off a brilliant and thought-provoking day perfectly. 

 

This collaboration is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation about representation, accessibility, and inclusive storytelling. We’re proud to be working alongside BCLM to ensure that disability history is not just remembered, but celebrated. 

 

If you’d like to learn more about our History Group or get involved in preserving and sharing CPM’s story, please contact us - we’d love to welcome you to the team. 

 

sarah@cpmids.org.uk or call 0121 427 3182 .