I am not the most comfortable of people when it comes to sharing aspects of my life online.
I have had a personal Facebook account for years but I don’t share a lot of personal things. Many friends don’t even know when my birthday is.
I am the person who apologises if someone else steps on my foot or bumps into me with their trolley at the supermarket.
I am not that good at standing up for myself. It makes me feel ill. I shake from head to toe and my voice wobbles. I am a wimp!
Yet, somehow, I have found myself sharing photos, sharing our stories and asking strangers to help make things better.
I have found myself arguing for my son’s right to access the world and seen myself grow ever more determined to make things accessible.
During the last 3 months I have appeared on local TV and national TV as well as taking part in several radio interviews and local newspaper articles. I have huge respect for the amount of work that people have done in order for a few minutes of news which flows perfectly. I am also thankful to them all for helping me to get more people thinking about this need.
This short film will show you what is needed.
Despite my enormous discomfort at such things I have been willing to join in with anything which will bring more understanding to the needs of my son and hundreds of thousands of other disabled people across the country.
Because if I don’t, what will his future be like?
It will be one where he cannot eat out with friends.
It will be one where he cannot go out for a whole day to a local attraction.
It will be one where he can’t go shopping at the supermarket.
It will be one where he can’t go to the theatre or cinema with friends.
It will be one where he feels locked out of life, unwelcome and unwanted.
What if he feels that he doesn’t matter?
What if he feels that he is a problem?
What if he wishes he didn’t have to live this way?
Look at him.
He is a small boy enjoying life.
To get this smiling photo there was a lot of work. A lot of hoisting to the toilet, to a bench for clothing to be changed, to a chair on wheels to get him outside, and then hoisting into the pool. It isn’t easy but it is vital in order that he can enjoy his childhood.
But children become adults.
And parents get older.
One day I will not be here.
Believe me, my discomfort at using social media to share details of our lives whilst shamelessly plugging away at getting my message across to anyone and everyone is absolutely nothing compared to how my son feels feels when he can’t “go” when we are away from home.
My discomfort is nothing compared to how he feels when we say we can’t go to the zoo for the day.
And I am ever more aware that this current level of “discomfort” pales into insignificance when compared to how I feel about his future life if I don’t make his world more accessible.
That is why I am pleading for people to care.
If you expect a certain level of facilities to be provided for you, why would you not expect them to be provided for everyone?
Sign the PETITION, help make sure everyone feels that they matter.
Share the information. Make sure EVERYONE knows.
When people don’t know, they can’t make things better.
So tell at least one person. Ask at least one person to sign the petition.
You never know what difference that person might be able to make.
Ordinary Hopes 
I care. Please do link up to this month’s BritMums SEND linky, this is so important! And you are very brave x
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Thank you for caring and for the suggestion. I shall seek that one out. Thanks again.
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I think you are very brave for doing this And good for you for getting your point across and helping your son and others. He looks like a lovely young man x
#KCACOLS
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Thank you. Adam is a wonderful boy. He is relying on me to make this work. Just this morning, as we got ready to go shopping, he asked me if they had toilets there. I said that they didn’t but it was okay because he was actually having a wee right now (he loves to chat whilst on the loo!) and we would only be gone a short time. He wailed “Oh no! Why not?” at me. Even if you probably won’t need to go whilst out, it is good to know that you can if you need to. He rarely has that confidence or comfort and it isn’t right. So I will keep trying to be brave.
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My son has special needs (learning delay, shadow/scaring on his brain) and has a lot of OCD tendencies because of this. He is paranoid about needing the toilet and where they are. It is the first thing we have to show him when we go anywhere. I hope you keep building his confidence xx
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Such an important message. It shouldn’t have to be a fight but Adam is so lucky that uoubfightbfjrvwgatvge needs. Amazing what you’ve done and achieved so far. Keep going! #kcacols
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This is such an important topic and one close to my heart. My husbands nephew is disabled, and the surgery he now needs to help improve his life is too much money (says the NHS) so we are trying to raise money to help. It makes me sad that my NHS that I love so much can so easily pick and choose who to help. Great post and thank you for raising awareness. #KCACOLS
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Heart breaking. I have several friends who have had to fundraise for SDR surgery and it has completely turned their children’s lives around. In the long term, that surgery will save hundreds of thousands of pounds in equipment, care and and medical treatment.
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You are a fantastic mum, putting your reserve aside to fight for your son’s rights and to help others too. I’ve signed the petition and will share this post on Twitter. #kcacols
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Thank you. Knowing that other people support this campaign really helps.x
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