It is not widely known, but Santa is an equal-opportunities employer. Every Elf is encouraged to fulfill their full potential and every Elf is valued equally.
Which is why Santa has been rather cross to read some online comments recently – comments which relate to the value of disabled people, in particular, those who require Changing Places toilets.
A story hit the media, where a mum, my dear friend Mum on a Mission had expressed her hurt that a big store, John Lewis, had spent £7,000,000 on a Christmas advert whilst doing nothing at all to help disabled people who require toilets with a hoist and changing table to access their stores and restaurants with dignity, despite having been asked to for many years. These are just a few of the comments which have left Santa wondering what happened to the Christmas Spirit.
Santa was not happy with comments like this. Christmas is a time for caring, for compassion, for high hopes, kindness and good behaviour!
Then there were ones like these.
Rudeness and unkind words to a mum who made a very valid point that facilities in many of our biggest retail stores, ones which encourage shoppers to eat, drink and stay for lengthy periods, are not suitable for all people. And she called out one particular store on this occasion because they have ignored the need for years. This isn’t the only store she has ever called out for failing to meet the needs of all people, it is just the one the media noticed.
So Santa has sent one of his most trusted elves, Alfie, to stay with us whilst he helps Santa with some Christmas shopping. Alfie is a full time wheelchair user who requires hoisting for all transfers, including for his toileting needs.
Santa is hopeful that Alfie will help people understand that equality isn’t just for some, equality is for all.
One final message from Santa for Swing Low, Messi Britain, Summer Sun, Lineman, Reasonableman (really???), Someone88, JG66 and Captain Trunch – you are all on the naughty list!
Over the next few weeks we will be assisting Alfie with Santa’s shopping requests and sharing Alfie’s experiences. As you go about your Christmas shopping, or attend pre-Christmas meals and drinks out, ask yourself if an Elf like Alfie could join in too. Maybe you will see us there!
Finally, in the words of another famous Elf, ‘there’s room for everyone on the nice list’, so be kind, support others and remember that equality means nothing unless it is for all.
If you are unsure of what Changing Places toilets are please check here.
Ordinary Hopes 
Bravo! Can’t wait to follow Alfie’s experiences x
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Thank you. Hoping Alfie can enlighten people a to just how many obstacles are in his path.
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Well said, I can’t believe the mentally of these people. My daughter is disabled but is able to transfer and weight bear for a short time so we don’t need a changing places, this doesn’t stop me campaigning for my local hospital to get one though. Merry Christmas to you and your family. X
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It is shocking to read comments of the kind which most of us thought were firmly in the past. And scary.
Thank you for campaigning for equality and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.x
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Sometimes I despair of people 😦
Will look forward to seeing (and sharing) Alfie’s adventures.
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Thank you. It is really hard knowing that there are people who think it is okay to tell families to just not go out or that they should expect nothing better than the floor. Hideous.
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Would they expect to have to lie on the floor, if they were disabled? I’d guess not.
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Ugh! I get really confused about the ones who say the council should provide the toilets too, as I bet they are the first people who’d complain about tax payers money being spent on things they can’t use but they go out of their way to defend these big profit making businesses from complying with equality legislation!
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Most people expect councils to provide toilets in towns, villages and seaside resorts. And they also expect toilets in every cafe, pub, restaurant, out of town retail development and supermarket, just to name a few.
Equality has to mean all.
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I’ve learnt from following your blog. Before I was unaware and ignorant. Now I talk a lot about the circumstance you blog about. Wherever I go I ask about toilet arrangements. Thursday I was at Auchterarder Community School, Perth and Kinross. Spoke with the school’s head. Last year they installed the kind of toilet facility you fight for. The message is spreading. Grateful to you for educating me..
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This is one of the loveliest things I have read. Thank you for sharing these words. You have really helped me today. Thank you.x
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Goodness those comments are awful! How could anyone actually write those things and it also felt a bit like ganging up. Not good. Keep going, keep campaigning and there are so many more people than those that are amazingly supportive.
Mainy
#KCACOLS
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There are a lot of good people out there. Thank you for your support.
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I really can’t believe the comments of those people. How unkind and downright insensitive of them. Quite shocking. Keep going, you’re raising awareness xx
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Sometimes, unless you see them, it is hard to believe anyone could write such things.
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I cannot believe the comments it is such a valid point. They have the money to spend on an advert but not on changing places toilets, it just doesnt make sense?!
Thank you for linking up to #KCACOLS
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It is hard to understand how anyone can write such things. Any one of us could become disabled overnight.
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Reblogged this on The Purple Sheep and commented:
The mentality of some is unbelievable. 😦
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Makes perfect sense that Santa would have an accessible place! Honestly can’t believe what some people write on social media, even worse that they believe it. Thanks to guys like you and Laura, things are (too slowly though) changing #kcacols
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