Ordinary Hopes

A few nights ago I was filled with emotion and pride when my 17 year old son told me that he had sent an e-mail to Disney World telling them about Changing Places toilets. He asked them to install toilets with hoists and changing tables so that he can visit with his brother again.

He sent my open letter blog post “Goodbye Disney Dreams” with it.

It meant so much to me to have his support and I was quite emotional!

I have not received a proper response to the e-mail I sent days earlier, just an automated reply saying they will be in touch, so I was not expecting him to get a response either. But it meant so much to know that he cares so deeply.

Yet someone from Walt Disney World called him yesterday!

They thanked him for contacting them and for the information he sent. They have had a number of people get in touch about this issue and they are aware of the importance of these facilities.

They do not have a date planned for it but…

They WILL be installing Changing Places style toilets in their parks in the future!

I was overcome with emotion.

At my son, and at the willingness of Disney to make changes so that everyone can be fully included. It feels like Christmas has come early!

If we want change, we have to tell people what we need. We can’t expect people to just know, for there was once a time when we didn’t know what was needed either.

One person can make a difference. Together, we can be amazing.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted Disney to ask for these facilities to be installed, and special thanks to my son, William, who truly makes a difference every day.xxx

Update August 2017

Sadly, a Disney representative called me in August to say that they now have no plans to make these changes.

Despite knowing that, without these accessible toilet facilities, many will have to stay at home or risk indignity and injury, they have decided not to make simple changes. For they really are simple changes.

This is the hoist and bench which is in my bathroom at home. Installation took a few hours.

Disney World can make Christmas appear overnight.

If they wanted to di this, they would do it. People with very significant physical disabilities are clearly not that important to them.

I can dream it. They just don’t want to do it.