About this Short Film
What’s in a Name (Ian Heydon, Australia, 2021) is a short film in our Focus on Ability programme that examines how language and labels shape everyday life. The film speaks to themes of cognitive processing disability, mobility and inclusion, and raises thoughtful questions about how we address and recognise one another. It does not prescribe answers, but invites viewers to notice the small moments where titles and words matter. Gentle and observant, this entry contributes to our festival’s aim of celebrating diverse perspectives and prompting conversations about respect, accessibility and individuality. Suitable for audiences interested in language, identity and inclusion.
Film Details
Film Transcript
Hi, welcome to What's in the Name. My name is Ian Hayden. I have multiple sclerosis, and part of this curious, complex chronic condition is that sometimes we lose who—what—it's what your callers call words. Yes, words. We just can't find the right word for an object or an occasion, and that can have added complications when your occupation is a writer. That might be a better title for it: at a loss for words.
I mean, everything has a name. For example, nerdl — a nerdl is the technical name for a blob of toothpaste. Petrichor describes that lovely smell of rain on dust, and aglet is the little metal or plastic tube at the end of a shoelace. And here's a word for you: cacoraphiophobia — that rolls off the tongue like sand, doesn't it? Cacoraphiophobia — that's the fear of failure. But there we know failure here, because I reckon that's worth about a thousand points on a triple word score.
The thing is, we don't know we're doing it, and our family and our friends and our colleagues think we're mad or stupid or have early onset dementia. I know a fellow MS-er who lost the word "table." She was inviting her family up for the Sunday roast and she wanted to say "everyone up at the table" and it came out as "everyone up at the big brown thing with the chairs around it." Another MS-er I know wanted to wish someone luck by saying "fingers crossed" and it came out as "thumbs together."
I was cooking an omelette for breakfast once and I wanted my wife to pass me the spatula, you know, the egg lifter, and it came out as "Darling, can you pass me the flippy stick?" Flippy stick. We decided that's a better name for it and it's now officially our flippy stick. I can hear that screaming out from morning television: "It's the K-Tel Flippy Stick! It flips, it slips, it shifts — you'll never run out of uses! Not available in stores, so call now! But wait, there's more! With every Flippy Stick you'll receive absolutely free the one, the only Stabby Crabby — exclusive to this amazing TV offer. Stabby Grammy!" "I've already got a fork."
I was playing Scrabble recently and I substituted the word "twitchies" for "tiles" and I went to the fridge to get saveloys and that came out as "squigglies." Those two words didn't take off. It's a pity, because some people wouldn't mind having this quickly switch with the Flippy Stick.
But seriously, it can be a real problem. There are people who work with MS who were afraid to speak up for fear of being discounted and made to feel foolish. That's all I'm trying to say. I mean, it should be as plain as the nose on your face, but cognitive problems aren't as obvious to the lay person as, for example, someone sitting in a wheelchair or having mobility problems like incontinence or the lot. I mean it's not rocket surgery. All we're asking is that people try to understand what we're talking about. We want doctors and other health authorities to be able to diagnose us correctly. We want the NDIS to subsidise speech pathologists, and we want everyday people like you who have a modicum of common sense to get behind us. So thumbs together, my friends, and good luck to us all.
[Music]
Filmmaker
Ian Heydon is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Ian Heydon.
Well done informative and funny have a close friend with Ms and will help me.
I have some cognitive issues but you have a fascinating use of words Do you know what I diddle stick isUse your imagination
I'm feeling much better
Loved it. I hadn't realised it was an actual thing when I use the wing word or can't remember the name of something. Very cleverly done and funny
Congratulations Ian Such a brilliant insight into what its like to live with MS. We will never use a spatula in our house again - it will always be a flippy stick In fact I think you may have started a trend Im off to make scrambled eggs with the whirly gig
Great work Ian. I didn't know this about MS and suspect I'm not the only one. Love the use of humour.
Such valuable insight Ian. Done in such a fun way. Thank you
Fabulous loved it thanks Ian
Just a simple THANKS from one MS sufferer to another
Well done Ian
As a person with MS this film is great I have sent to family and friends next time I say flippy thing theyll know exactly what I mean. Great job
WOW this is the most brilliant thing I have seen. Thank you for your insight and wonderful humour
Thank you so much for presenting such a serious topic in a humorous light. While I did have a good chuckle it was a great reminder of the struggles people with MS etc can experience.
Just brilliant
This video was AWESOME to watch Thank-you for making it. Everyone needs to see this as it is so insightful - and entertaining watching as well
Great job Ian love it
Absolutely gold
Brilliant. Thanks Ian.
Congrats Ian brilliant job
Congrats Ian. Very well said and it a humorous way.
This was hilarious it just got better and better
Absolute gold and completely relatable in our houselots of hoody-doodies thingamits and whojiminies here.
This is so hilarious. But scary. Take my hat off for ms sufferers .
What a great film well presented. So very true people are always ready to correct instead of understanding the reasons behind the word confusion should be shown to all health worker as awareness education. Xo
Wonderful use of language and invention of language to get a point across clearly and concisely. Also very entertaining.
OMgoodness Ian this is brilliant So true and honestly you are such a tonic the first time Ive laughed about my new world. so true haha You are a worthy winner Thankyou and best wishes
..delightful as always Ian squiggle on disco champ
Loved it Well done Definitely using the 'flippy stick'
Absolutely brilliant Thanks Ian paints a beautiful drawing
Brilliant work Ian.
I am now considering rewriting my vocabulary primers - I never could explain why a spatula was called a spatula A meaningful message designed and delivered with your usual keen wit and timing Ian.
Fabulous film Ian Such an entertaining yet powerful message about the impact of word retrieval deficits.
Very very clever and funny such a play on supply your own word
Lol..that was brilliant..what a perfect way to flip those little wordy danglers interjected out loud .. this should win in a sandslide Thumbs together
Pure gold
An amazing production that Ian Heydon put on you go Ian you deserve to win....
Well put together .Well written .
From a squeakologist nurdle a purer word was fed. The paraphasias of aphasia can be funny but often frustrating too.
Enjoyed this had a laugh never heard of a Flippy stick well presented Ian good luck.
Fantastic Really enjoyed it. Thumbs together youre the winner
Just brilliant. Flippy stick it is.
Absolutely fantastic. Well done. I really enjoyed the humorous way the information was presented. It helped me to get a better understanding of the illness.
This is absolutely delightful. What a powerful and amusing way of communicating the message. Congratulations