29 inches tall and drove a mini……

For those who don’t know me technology is not my strongest point and if I had the choice I would rather book cruises not using a laptop or the internet but needs must. I am far too old for my years, and feel technology is moving a bit too fast for my liking.

Recently I discovered on-line an old film that had been uploaded from 1972 of my Nan’s best friend and neighbour, a lady called Joyce Carpenter from Bromsgrove. Joyce was a marvellous woman and at only 29 inches tall she was the smallest woman in world. She never let her height stop her from doing anything she wanted in life. When her Mother suffered from arthritis she even passed her driving test and asked the hospital if they would help her get an adapted car to drive, so she could get out and about to do the shopping and take her Mom back and forth to appointments.

When the Birmingham Mail heard about Joyce they presented her with a brand new Mini which she was often seen driving around Bromsgrove in. It had a racing car steering wheel and a child seat to give her a bit more height to see out of the windows. She even drove her Mom on holiday to Weston Super-mare.

Last weekend I took my laptop to show the video to my Nan who now lives in a dementia home in Bromsgrove. I played her the video; she was absolutely amazed and thought it was marvellous. It bought back fantastic memories and she was able to tell me so many stories of the adventures they had together.

My Nan amazed after watching the video

If we did not have the technology we have today, this film would have stayed in the archive files for many more years, so I have to say I am pleased that technology is moving so fast after all, else I would never have got the chance to see my Nan’s face when we watched the video clip for the fifth time in a row.

Here’s the video clip of Joyce in her mini……when you think you have a little problem just remember Joyce trying to post her letters at the post box, as she says enjoy life to the full…

http://www.macearchive.org/Archive/Title/atv-today-11121972-smallest-woman-in-the-world/MediaEntry/18389.html