Annie's Coming Out

A young social worker begins work at a hospital for severely disabled children and realises that some of the diagnoses given to them are wrong. Proving it is hard, because the institution also accepts that a child who cannot communicate cannot think. In the case of Annie O’Farrell, once a way is found other than speaking or writing, it emerges that she can not only think but is highly intelligent. The case brought against the hospital to have this recognised in law goes to court, while the doctors try to cover over the misdiagnosis. The film gives the matter not as a story of miracle but as a struggle for rights. Angela Punch McGregor and Tina Arhondis appear in Gil Brealey’s ninety six minute Australian film, completed in 1984.