We were excited at the idea of watching Pete’s Dragon at the cinema.
We wanted to see the film and it was a bonus that we could see it for free as part of the Into Film Festival. A free cinema trip is a welcome joy for any parent!
However, last night Adam started to worry.
There are no Changing Places toilets in the city centre and he knows he was uncomfortable last time we tried. He was also upset that we couldn’t go out to lunch with friends after the film – EVERYONE ELSE COULD!
This morning he woke up, told me he was too poorly to go and then started to do some impressive coughing. He has always had quite a weak cough so I didn’t think he could fake a good cough like this.
Turns out he can!
Not one single cough since I cancelled our booking.
We had a film afternoon at home with snacks, drinks and smiles. Doesn’t look at all poorly, does he?
I can’t be cross with him for pretending to be ill. At that point he was so anxious he wasn’t able to put his feelings into words. So he found another way to tell me. Then later, when less anxious, he was able to use the words he had wanted to say earlier.
My 10 year old would rather not go to the cinema than risk such discomfort and sadness, or worse – an accident in front of his friends.
Wouldn’t you feel the same?
Earlier this year I read something which made me cry. And which still does, every time I think about it.
She said that her father had motor neurone disease and could now only go out with the family if there was a toilet with a hoist. This man who loved spending time with his family was already unable to do so many of the things he had previously enjoyed and was now unable to sit in a theatre and watch a show.
Just because it lacked a hoist and adult sized changing table.
We should all be horrified.
We should all understand that this could be us.
Updated April 2017
Shortly after this was originally published I was contacted by a man who told me that he had barely left his home for 10 years.
Because the thing my son was afraid of had actually happened to him.
How many adults are trapped in their homes due the same fear?
One day, it could be any of us.
Sign this petition HERE.
You can help.
Ordinary Hopes 
Hugs xxxx
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Awful, can’t believe how this can still be ignored. Lovely pics of Adam, but he could have been with his friends out in the community, as we are told is good for us all.
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It’s desperately sad for Adam: similar problems here, but my daughter would not worry in advance of a trip out, just if she needed the toilet once we were away from home x
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I’m sorry to hear this. I wish this could change so he could have enjoyed some fun with his friends. I am glad to hear that you had a nice time at home though, but I am sure it wasn’t the same. #KCACOLS
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That is so sad and its still not good enough that the toilets are not appropriate for everyone to use.
Mainy
#KCACOLS
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Thank you. The cinema should really be a place where he can do things just like an able bodied person.
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That’s so sad that he isn’t able to do the things he loves. I’m glad you managed to have a nice day at home instead #KCACOLS
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That’s awful – your poor boy that what should be a fun activity was such a source of anxiety for him. Shame on the companies who don’t think spending money on these things is a priority #kcacols
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Oh Adam, you cheeky chap. I don’t blame him though, and to be honest snuggling on the sofa for a movie with lots of snacks can be just as fun if you make an event of it 🙂 #KCACOLS
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Oh bless him. I can only imagine how upsetting and frustrating it must be for him.
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Aww, it is a shame Adam was poorly, I don’t blame him. I can see why he was worried about going 😦 It must have been really playing on his mind 😦
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It’s such a shame that he wasn’t able to go just because of the facilities (or lack of) at the cinema x
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Glad to hear you all had a lovely time at home. Pete’s Dragon will eventually be available to rent/stream, so hopefully you’ll see it then.
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ah it can be so frustrating that the cinema don’t have adequate facilities in this day and age.. lovely photos
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Thank you. It really isn’t acceptable. The cinema, of all places, should be a place where disabled people can take part in an activity with friends without being disadvantaged. Everyone sits down to watch a film and Adam even brings his own chair!
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That really is such a shame 😦 There are things you’d have expected you didn’t have to worry about, but this is just so unacceptable 😦 I hope something does help resolve this so that Adam and your family/friends can enjoy the theatre together! x
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That is so very sad that he felt he needed to fake illness because he was so afraid of being humiliated due to insufficient facilities. Carry on doing your wonderful work raising awareness of this important issue and I hope more businesses and government will take notice and start to change things. Everyone should be able to go to the theatre. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.
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Its a shame that something which is so simple to many of us is the one thing from holiday him back. Its not fair #kcacols
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