I might look strong.
I might always have a smile.
I might seem to be achieving things that you can’t imagine doing.
I might seem to have courage.
I might seem to be okay.
But I am not.
My body aches from years of lifting another person.
My smile is fixed because it is easier than sharing my truth.
Not doing things isn’t an option, so I keep doing them.
I am tired and filled with fear.
And I try so hard to look okay.
My smile is fixed because it is easier than sharing my truth.
Not doing things isn’t an option, so I keep doing them.
I am tired and filled with fear.
And I try so hard to look okay.
But I am not.
I fake that inner strength.
I fake that smile.
I fake the ease with which I do things.
I fake the courage to keep going.
I fake being okay.
Not because my son is disabled.
But because he is disabled by facilities!
I am tired of battling for inclusion in life.
Tired from seeing him on the edge of life.
Tired from towns and attractions having no toilets he can use.
Tired from years of seeing him hurt.
Tired from knowing how many others share our struggles.
Tired from feeling that I am failing my son.
Tired from all the tears I have shed.
Tired from all the tears I hold inside.
Shouldn’t accessible toilets for all just be something we all expect?
Is THIS really too much to ask of councils and tourist attractions?
Just this.
A ceiling hoist and a changing table in the same room as a toilet and basin.
The monkey is not essential.
Changing Places toilets are not new.
Hoisting equipment is not new.
Disabled people are not new.
This awful indignity is not new.
Hoisting equipment is not new.
Disabled people are not new.
This awful indignity is not new.
And it will continue into another generation of people unless we act now.
I don’t have all the answers, but I know that I have to try.
And I cannot do it alone.
Please try at least one of these.
You could write to your MP to ask why Changing Places toilets are not mandatory in any building or development in this country. Merely being a “recommendation” is not enough. Find your MP HERE.
Sign the petition set up by my fellow campaigner, Lorna Fillingham.
Share any posts you see online about Changing Places toilets. Yes, I know it is boring, but when change happens we can all stop talking about toilets!
Ordinary Hopes 
I can’t imagine how tough it must be on you when there’s no hoist available for your son x
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I’m sorry that you and your son are faced with a lack of facilities so he can’t enjoy a day out as he should. I have signed the petition and shared your post to make others aware.
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Thank you. I truly appreciate it.x
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This shouldn’t be too much to ask.
xx
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yes definitely not, those are the necessities! will be talking about it!
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Thank you.x
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This is such a fantastic campaign and for such a important case – I cannot believe there are still issues with facilities, especially toilets, this has to be changed. Thanks so much for sharing this
Laura x
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Some issues need to be addressed. This post is a great initiative to bring the change 🙂 Great campaign.
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Thank you.
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I think your campaign is so important. Good luck and hopefully change will be in the very near future!
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This is so important. I hope that you finally get some good news soon from someone who can help you. Tx
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I’ve also signed and shared your petition. Hopefully they listen and do something for you and your child. And for all the other children and parents who are in the same position as you!
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Thank you. It really does mean a lot to me.x
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Thank you.x
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It’s sad you have this struggle. I have difficulties form time to time accessing disabled services too and it’s not always available.
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It’s so great you are sharing and spreading the word, I hope you see change in the future.
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Gosh you are strong. I would crumble with such things to face as you do. You’re brilliant. Elinor x
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Crumbling isn’t an option. Although I fear it.x
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Your doing great, you will be fine look how far you’ve come making good from your experiences. X
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Living with a grandfather who has MD, I 100% understand the need for more accessible restrooms. It’s the one thing that literally everyone uses, so why not be as inclusive and considerate as possible? You’ve got my support! ❤
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Thank you. Disability can happen to any one of us at any time. None of us is immune.
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It’s so rubbish to read that so many places still don’t have these basic facilities! We are lucky to have a few places near by that have great facilities and they’re not even “big attractions”, it makes you wonder why the rest of them can’t sort it out.
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you would think I this day and age public facilities would be better equipt!. I have shared this post. Keep writing posts like this to bring awareness. x
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It is sad that issues like this have to be said over and over again for someone to listen. Keep talking about it. You are raising a lot of awareness.
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I’ve signed the petition and will continue to share all Changing Places posts I see. Never give up hope even though it is so hard. Lx
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I can’t describe my MP using polite words, but he is best avoided and definitely not someone to write to. However I’ll keep checking back and sharing some of your blogs and tweets x
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I hope many people sign the petition. Beautifully said as always.
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I’m so sorry you are both going through this. You are an amazing mother. You are doing such a fantastic job campaigning and raising awareness xx
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Completely agree. X
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Don’t ever think you are not strong, because you are and the work your doing to raise awareness of this issue is amazing
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Whats that quote – be the change you want to see in the world. I’m sure by working with one another every person will one day be included right? Thanks for linking up with #KCACOLS please come back again.
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Exhausting isn’t it? Keep on talking x #KCACOLS
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Exhausting and heartbreaking.x
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Keep going and keep fighting in the hope that by raising awareness one day it will happen. I’m going to head over to the petition now #KCACOLS
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Thank you.x
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I can’t even imagine how exhausting all this on you. What you are doing is amazing and I really hope you get your breakthrough soon x #kcacols
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I can’t believe this day and age equipment which is pretty much vital is not easily accessible. I hope you do not need to wait too long before this is the norm!
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You are so right. We alll need to do more. It matters. I have shared.
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Well done for raising your voice. All the best.
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Keep doing what you’re doing and be proud of it!
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Some days I feel like lots of people in Cornwall dislike me. Particularly places like Lands End and Hall for Cornwall! I can live with them disliking me though, what I can’t keep going with is my son being hurt.
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Such a well written poem. I can’t imagine how tough it must be watching your son missing out on things due to toilet facilities. The solution seems such a small thing that I’m sure most businesses and attractions could afford to install. I hope it becomes law and not just a recommendation soon.
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Thank you.
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It’s an incredibly hard thing to believe that this day and age we don’t put more into our disabled facilities especially as they are effectively a human right! This needs to change x
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hoping things get easier and more of these are in place x
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Very powerful message. Not having been in the situation of yourself and your son I wasn’t even aware of the problem with current facilities.
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I agree. It shouldn’t be too much to ask at all. Well done for writing about it too! Wishing you all the best!
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