‘This is where we would like to go, now how do we make it happen’

Our family consists of 2 full time wheelchair using young people; Nathan (22), Cerys (nearly 15), a mum who has a complex cardiac condition and a Dad who is probably a saint! This could make getting out into the world difficult, and yes, it does require much more organisation, but we like to think we have always done exactly what we want to do in terms of the places we have wanted to visit. “Have wheelchair, will travel” is our motto!
When Nathan was younger he enjoyed history, in particular the English Civil War, and loved going to see the mock battles. Many a time we pushed him over a muddy field to get a great view of the fighting, or up a hill to visit the campsite – and many a time I accepted the help of a ‘nice young man’ to push Cerys up for me!
We have always tended to have the attitude of ‘this is where we would like to go, now how do we make it happen’. Then the organising starts….. after doing it for so long I feel we have now got it down to a fine art!

Nathan has been campaigning for disability rights since he was 10 years old, and, by working with various charities we have often found ourselves travelling to London from our home in the Midlands by train for an event. I also accompanied Nathan when he was chosen to go to Geneva with CRAE (Children’s Rights Alliance for England) to speak in front of the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child. Again, it has always been very much about ‘this is what he wants to do, how can we enable him to do it?’
As a family we belong to the National Trust, and have visited many of their properties around the Country. Obviously accessibility will never be perfect everywhere, but I do feel arrangements for disabled visitors have improved over the years – I just wish every property realised that children can be wheelchair users too. A knock on effect of us going out is that Cerys now likes to write a review of the places she has been which has really helped her to develop her English and observational skills.
We have also been abroad, and are planning a trip this year. Again, I feel the recognition of the needs of disabled people has improved over the years; still not perfect, but certainly better. It is all about communication and organisation.

As Nathan and Cerys have got older there have been new challenges, not least because my cardiac condition has placed limitations on my energy levels and physical capabilities, but we still get around. Nathan has e-motion wheels to make it easier for him to wheel around independently. He recently wheeled himself all around York – if he can do it there, with all the cobbles, he can do it anywhere! Cerys would love to have a set too, but they are expense to fund.
Another challenge is that they now want to go out on their own, but this is only possible with the help of Carers, so we are grateful for the social care funding they both receive and the wonderful Carers we employ.
So I would say that the key to getting out in the world is being organised, doing your research and communicating with the people whose job it is to make the experience a great one for you.