Hybrid Humans By Harry Parker

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Becoming Hybrid

20220404

Harry Parker's new book tells the story of how his life changed after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. As he grapples with a new identity and disability, he is introduced to a world of robotics and technological advances in medicine and wearable devices that have possibilities for what a body can be, now and in the future. Today, Harry recounts the months of recovery following the moment that he stepped on a bomb.

Harry Parker was in his twenties when he stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in 2009 which altered his life in an instant. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part.

Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist.

Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi.

Harry Parker tells us how his life changed after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan.

Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.

Metal Ghosts

20220405

Harry Parker reads the next instalment of his new book. He considers his reliance on recent technological advances in prosthetics after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. At the same time he explores the innovative relationship between invention and disability by visiting a repository holding objects from the history of medicine, and then by glimpsing the future, when he visits a rehab trade fair where the latest cutting edge kit is on display.

Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist.

Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi.

Harry Parker on invention and disability in the past, present and future.

Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.

The Deal

20220406

Harry Parker reads his new book. Today, he turns to the developments that have been made in repairing the body, from pace-makers to brain implants. Harry also explores the high price he continues to pay after he stepped on an IED while serving in the British Army in Afghanistan.

Harry Parker was in his twenties when he lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan in 2009. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part.

Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist.

Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi.

Harry Parker on the high price exacted by stepping on an IED in Afghanistan and surviving.

Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.

Raging Against The Dying Of The Light

20220407

Harry Parker reads from his new book. Today, he explores the cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness, and he admires the pioneers who take part in the trials, courageously risking all.

Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist.

Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi.

Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.

Monsters

20220408

Harry Parker reads the last episode from is new book where tells the story of how he lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan and how he grappled with his new identity and disability. Today, he is confronted by disability hate crime. And he also meets Andrew, who tells the story of his amputation and rehabilitation through pole dancing, going on to win the World Pole Sports Championships.

Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist.

Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection

Abridged by Sarah Shaffi.

Harry Parker on pole dancing, art and prosthetics.

Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Becoming Hybrid	20220404	Harry Parker's new book tells the story of how his life changed after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. As he grapples with a new identity and disability, he is introduced to a world of robotics and technological advances in medicine and wearable devices that have possibilities for what a body can be, now and in the future. Today, Harry recounts the months of recovery following the moment that he stepped on a bomb. Harry Parker was in his twenties when he stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in 2009 which altered his life in an instant. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part. Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist. Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection Abridged by Sarah Shaffi. Harry Parker tells us how his life changed after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.
02	Metal Ghosts	20220405	Harry Parker reads the next instalment of his new book. He considers his reliance on recent technological advances in prosthetics after losing his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. At the same time he explores the innovative relationship between invention and disability by visiting a repository holding objects from the history of medicine, and then by glimpsing the future, when he visits a rehab trade fair where the latest cutting edge kit is on display. Harry Parker was in his twenties when he stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in 2009 which altered his life in an instant. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part. Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist. Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection Abridged by Sarah Shaffi. Harry Parker on invention and disability in the past, present and future. Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.
03	The Deal	20220406	Harry Parker reads his new book. Today, he turns to the developments that have been made in repairing the body, from pace-makers to brain implants. Harry also explores the high price he continues to pay after he stepped on an IED while serving in the British Army in Afghanistan. Harry Parker was in his twenties when he lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan in 2009. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part. Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist. Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection Abridged by Sarah Shaffi. Harry Parker on the high price exacted by stepping on an IED in Afghanistan and surviving. Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.
04	Raging Against The Dying Of The Light	20220407	Harry Parker reads from his new book. Today, he explores the cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness, and he admires the pioneers who take part in the trials, courageously risking all. Harry Parker was in his twenties when he stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in 2009 which altered his life in an instant. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part. Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist. Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection Abridged by Sarah Shaffi. Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.
05	Monsters	20220408	Harry Parker reads the last episode from is new book where tells the story of how he lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan and how he grappled with his new identity and disability. Today, he is confronted by disability hate crime. And he also meets Andrew, who tells the story of his amputation and rehabilitation through pole dancing, going on to win the World Pole Sports Championships. Harry Parker was in his twenties when he stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in 2009 which altered his life in an instant. Here he takes us on his own personal journey as he grapples with an acquired disability and a new identity. At the same time he explores the little known and fascinating history of prosthetics, and the extraordinary advances in medicine and technology designed to ameliorate the effects of disability, illness and injury, from cochlear implants to wearable robotic suits, or exoskeletons. We'll also find out about the multi-billion pound industry involved in rehabilitating the body, and how invention, art and creativity play their part. Harry Parker is the author of the acclaimed novel, Anatomy of a Soldier. He joined the army when he was twenty-three and served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2009. He is now a writer and artist. Photo: copyright CC-BY, Steven Pocock / Wellcome Collection Abridged by Sarah Shaffi. Harry Parker on pole dancing, art and prosthetics. Harry Parker on cutting edge advances in rehabilitating the body after injury and illness.