Terry Wiles facts for kids
Terrence 'Terry' Wiles (born 12 January 1962) is well-known because he was one of the first babies in the United Kingdom affected by a medicine called thalidomide. He became famous around the world through a TV show called On Giant's Shoulders and a book with the same name. The TV show even won an Emmy Award.
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Terry Wiles' Early Life
Terry Wiles was born on January 12, 1962, in Peterborough, England. His birth name was Andrew Maulle. When his birth mother was pregnant, she took a medicine called thalidomide to help with morning sickness. This medicine caused Andrew to be born with serious physical disabilities.
Because of his disabilities, Andrew's mother left him at the hospital, and he was placed into care. In October 1967, he met Hazel (1931-2013) and Leonard George Wiles (1911–1995) at Chailey Hospital in Sussex. After some challenges, Leonard and Hazel were able to adopt young Andrew. To mark his new start, Andrew decided to change his name to Terrence Wiles.
Terry's Special Cars
Over the next few years, Len Wiles, who was very good with machines and helped design military equipment during World War II, built special "Supercars" for Terry. These cars were based on a forklift truck. They helped Terry to be taller and move around freely for the first time.
Terry faced difficulties at his secondary school, Ernulf Community College in St. Neots. He left the school to study at a polytechnic, which is a type of college. He also attended California State University at Fullerton in the early 1980s.
On Giant's Shoulders TV Show
When Terry Wiles was 17, he played himself in a 1979 BBC television drama called On Giant's Shoulders. The show starred Bryan Pringle as Leonard Wiles and Judi Dench as Hazel Wiles. Judi Dench was even nominated for a BAFTA award for her acting. The drama was directed by Anthony Simmons and was based on a book by Marjorie Wallace and Michael Robson, published in 1976.
Terry Wiles had never acted before. Even though he was 17 during filming, his voice had to be changed by a child actor because he was playing himself at a younger age (from 9 to 12). The TV show won an Emmy in 1980. After the film was shown in the United States in 1980, Terry Wiles was interviewed on popular TV shows like Good Morning America and The Mike Douglas Show.
Terry Wiles' Life in New Zealand
After Terry Wiles received financial support for his birth defects, he and his adoptive parents moved to New Zealand. In 1986, at a conference for children with disabilities, Terry met Robyn (born 1960), who was a nurse.
Terry and Robyn faced challenges from their families, but they decided to get married. They were married on 13 October 1990, at their home in Hamilton, New Zealand. Terry's father, Len, attended the wedding, but his mother, Hazel, did not. After the marriage, Len and Hazel Wiles moved back to England in 1993. Terry learned of his adoptive father's death in 1995. He did not hear from Hazel Wiles again; she passed away in 2013.
Terry and Robyn still live in New Zealand. Terry has helped and supported other people with disabilities. In 1997, Channel 4 filmed Terry and Robyn in New Zealand for a documentary called Fight For Love. In the film, they talked about how they met and how they worked to be together despite challenges.
