An uplifting portrait of a man who won’t be held down
It was the ultimate in social distancing. Climbing Blind
(BBC Four) followed Jesse Dufton’s vertiginous clamber up the Old Man of Hoy, a 140m tottering pile of sandstone rising out of the sea in Orkney. At the very edge of the British Isles, it takes two ferry rides to reach it. Even the local puffins and seals looked surprised to see him.
This dizzying adventure was impressive enough anyway. It bordered on the miraculous when you realised that Dufton couldn’t see his hand in front of his face – and that he was the first blind person to lead such an ambitious ascent. When we saw him walking into parking bollards and bumping into bushes during his preparations, his chances didn’t look promising.
However, this inspirational Team GB Paraclimber, born with a rare disease which breaks down the retina’s cells, thrives on defying the odds. “I’m not disabled,” he said matter-offactly. “I’m blind and able.”
We saw him casually pause on a ledge for a rest and a pork pie, as if on a leisurely ramble rather than scaling a sheer cliff. Because he feels his way up, climbs take Dufton three times longer. This not only meant muscle fatigue but a serious risk of running out of light. Though Dufton may not need to be able to see, the person on the other end of his rope certainly does. However, as the sun set and the ambient soundtrack swelled, a euphoric climax saw him reach the top. Was he crying with emotion? No, Dufton deadpanned, it was sand in his eye.
This documentary wasn’t as spectacular as the feat itself. Director Alastair Lee was too keen to insert himself into proceedings. He didn’t probe Dufton’s motivations as much as he might. The slang of the climbers interviewed – everything was “awesome” or “epic”, everyone was “dude” or “buddy” – began to grate over the course of an hour.
Dufton’s sight guide and fiancée Molly Thompson emerged as quietly heroic, however. “She’s kind enough to lend me her eyes,” said Dufton. “Without her I wouldn’t be climbing.” Theirs was a finely tuned partnership, built on mutual trust, and a sweet love story. The worst thing about losing his sight, said Dufton, was not seeing Molly’s face anymore.
Closing captions informed us that not only had Dufton’s achievement been recognised in the Scottish Parliament, but he and Molly had since married. Call me soppy but my smile broadened at the latter news.
Old, Alone and Stuck at Home (Channel 4) had a glib title, hinting at a gimmicky documentary, but that did it a disservice. Narrated by Imelda Staunton, this emotive film – shot video-diary style or through subjects’ windows – was a sobering reminder how many people will be affected by the pandemic for a long time to come.
As restrictions for the lucky majority are loosened, it told the lockdown stories of elderly and vulnerable people around the country, for whom selfisolation may continue for many months. Among them was terminal cancer sufferer Suzie, who was staying jolly by exercising with the 1980s fitness star the Green Goddess (who needs Joe Wicks?), dressing smartly (she had quite the collection of statement jewellery) and seeing friends on her Sunday afternoon drive, where they waved from their doorsteps and exchanged a few words.
Desmond, 82, was acutely aware of Covid-19’s high mortality rate among black men. It had already claimed the lives of four of his fellow steelpan players and Desmond attended the funeral of the latest victim via video link. “Farewell, friend!” he called at the screen. “Go and light up the universe!” Chris and Yvonne, meanwhile, were worried about their severely disabled daughter Clare, who needed round-the-clock care. They were faced with heartbreakingly tough decisions about their options if she contracted the virus.
Gaining such intimate insights into people’s lives, especially in the current crisis, felt a rare privilege. We watched grandparents sing lullabies via Skype and cancer patients attend appointments alone, missing the support of their families.
As well as poignant, it was oddly uplifting – full of indomitable spirit, warmth and flashes of wry humour. Not only was Trevor a “neck-breather” with a laryngectomy but his wife Sally had been diagnosed with breast cancer a week before lockdown. Yet as Trevor sagely concluded: “When all this is over, we’ve got to be kinder to everybody. And let’s enjoy what we’ve got while we can.”
Climbing Blind ★★★
Old, Alone and Stuck at Home ★★★★