Is Susan In Call The Midwife Really Disabled

So, you’ve been binge-watching Call the Midwife, right? And you’ve met Susan, the sweet little girl with the leg brace and the crutch. A question probably popped into your head: is Susan really disabled? Let’s dig into that with a friendly, curious vibe.

First, Who Is Susan Again?

Susan is a recurring character in later seasons, a young patient with cerebral palsy. She walks with a limp and uses crutches, and her left leg is in a steel brace. But here’s the thing—the show never announces her disability like it’s a shocking headline.

Instead, we see her as a regular kid who sings, jokes, and gets into mischief. The midwives treat her with kindness, but they don’t just define her by her leg. Isn’t that refreshing?

The Real Question: Is It Accurate?

You might wonder: is Susan’s disability historically plausible for 1960s London? Yep, absolutely. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed back then, though treatments were clunkier than today.

Her leg brace and crutch are classic 1960s medical tools. Fun comparison: think of it like a vintage bicycle—sturdy, heavy, but it gets you where you need to go. That brace is basically a retro assistive device.

Is She Disabled on Purpose?

Yes, but not for pity points. The show uses Susan to show that disability was often hidden away or treated as shameful back then. Instead, Poplar embraces her.

You see her mother struggle with guilt, and the nuns gently push for inclusion. Rhetorical question: isn’t it more interesting to see a disabled kid just living her life rather than being a tragic symbol?

Why It’s Cool That She’s There

Here’s why it rocks: Susan isn’t a one-episode wonder. She pops up multiple times, and her disability isn’t the only story. She’s like that side character in a video game who has her own mini-quests.

The show doesn’t use her to teach you a lesson. Instead, you just see her navigate stairs, play with friends, and get frustrated. It’s subtle but powerful.

A Fun Comparison: Susan and Your Favorite Superhero

Think of Susan like a superhero with a built-in obstacle course. Every step with that brace is like running an agility test. But she doesn’t moan—she just adapts.

Compare her to, say, Daredevil or Professor X. They have disabilities, but you don’t define them by it. Susan’s the same—she’s a kid who happens to have a heavier left leg. And honestly, that’s way more realistic than a pity parade.

What the Actor Brings to the Role

The actress playing Susan, Simon Lowe (wait, actually it’s a young actress named Molly Osborne or maybe Rosa Coduri—the fandom wiki is fuzzy!). She uses crutches on set, and her performance is natural.

You never feel like she’s “playing disabled.” She just is. That’s rare in TV, where disability is often faked for drama. The show lets her be authentically clumsy, stubborn, and joyful.

Does the Show Handle It Perfectly?

Not always. Some scenes feel a bit educational, like the writers are saying, “Look, we’re being inclusive!” But overall, Susan is treated like a person, not a poster child.

And here’s a spicy take: her disability is shown as ordinary. That’s actually groundbreaking for a period drama. Most shows from that era? They’d make her a weepy backstory.

So, Is Susan Really Disabled?

Yes, she is. But the better question is: does it matter? Watching her, you stop noticing the brace after a few minutes. You just see a sassy kid who doesn’t let a stiff leg stop her from being a menace to the nuns.

It’s like wondering if a cat with three legs is really a cat. Of course it is—it just moves differently. Susan moves differently, and that’s cool, not sad.

What You Can Learn From Susan

If you take one thing from her story, let it be this: disability is just a detail. Like having freckles or a loud laugh. It shapes your experience, but it’s not the whole story.

Rhetorical question: wouldn’t the world be boring if everyone walked the same way? Susan’s uneven gait is like a remix of a familiar song—unexpected, but still good.

Final Chill Takeaway

So next time you see Susan on screen, don’t ask “is she disabled?” Ask “what’s she about to do that’s awesome?” Because she’s probably about to crack a joke or steal a biscuit.

That’s the magic of Call the Midwife. It shows that disability doesn’t need to be a big deal—it can just be part of a rich, messy life. And honestly? That’s way more interesting than a perfect, shiny character.

Now go rewatch an episode. You’ll see Susan with new eyes—or maybe you’ll just see a kid who’s got places to go, brace and all.