As I set out with Alfie each “Oh, who’s your friend” I received was cheerfully greeted with an explanation of who Alfie was and what his needs are. By day two of travelling I’d grown tired of repeating it all. BY DAY TWO. By day three I didn’t have the heart to say it anymore.… Continue reading My journey with Alfie.
Author: Ordinary Hopes
Cape-less Crusader, changing the world one toilet at a time.
Elf On Wheels goes to London.
A trip on a night train to London is something most people would look forward to with great excitement. But when you use a wheelchair, it can be nerve-wracking, with so many extra things to consider. How many days ahead do I need to book assistance? Is the platform accessible? Will there be steps? Will assistance actually come?… Continue reading Elf On Wheels goes to London.
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We all do it – even Elves!
Some days you have to be brave. Here is a photo like no other that I am likely to ever share again. Please be kind, I did it to raise awareness of something really, really important. Would you take a photo of yourself on the toilet? No? Because it is a personal matter? Something which… Continue reading We all do it – even Elves!
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It shouldn’t happen to an Elf.
Alfie the Elf taken to his bed and will not even look up. He is devastated. He is embarrassed and doesn’t want to go out any more. Alfie went to Sainsbury’s Superstore in Penzance, choosing it because it is a great store with wide aisles – nice and spacious for moving about in his wheelchair. Shopping… Continue reading It shouldn’t happen to an Elf.
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The day the world began to shrink.
Three years ago today is when my son’s world started to shrink. It is also the day that Bristol Children’s Hospital saved his life. His spine was badly curved and crushing his internal organs. His ribcage on his left side was tucked inside his hip bone and he was struggling to eat or drink. Without the operation to insert… Continue reading The day the world began to shrink.
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A little-known fact about Santa…
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… Continue reading A little-known fact about Santa…
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“Pushed out” of school.
“Saying ‘it’s a learning curve’ does not make anything acceptable.” An old Facebook post popped up on my screen, and as I read it, my head and heart were flooded with all the feelings from that time. Adam had been in school for two months. I am sharing this because analysis of government statistics by a… Continue reading “Pushed out” of school.
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When “spending a penny” costs £300
It really did cost £300 for my son to “spend a penny” at a recent visit to a local theme park. Shouldn’t toilet access to be covered by the entry fee?
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Wheels, Wild Food and Fun!
Life has plenty of battles for disabled people but, every so often, somebody gets everything totally right and I love to share those moments. A few months back I saw a family foraging walk advertised and really wanted to try it, but I really wasn’t sure about wheelchair accessibility or if my son would even cope with strangers being… Continue reading Wheels, Wild Food and Fun!
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Pitiful Government Response.
I recently shared yet another petition to get Changing Places toilets to be more than a mere recommendation in the building standards, and it led me to look back at the most recent government response to this issue. Get ready! “The Government recognises that “Changing Places” toilets play an important role to support the day to day… Continue reading Pitiful Government Response.
Ordinary Hopes 