Used to run

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Half term, what to do, what to do?

Well, it's done now, suggestions aren't needed. Filling endless days of school holidays is very easy for the smaller child but for Zack and his requirements it can be quite difficult.

We are limited on places to go that we haven't already done to death and limited by what's on offer within our local area.

Once upon a time Warrington Council created a brand new, all singing, all dancing facility especially for children with disabilities, The Warrington Play and Sensory Centre.

In fact so delighted where we with a place to go with Zack that we even did a small testimonial for them.

Oh, and they used to run a lovely group called Dolphins in the holidays that myself and some other mummies and daddies of kids with complex needs would go along to.  But re-read that sentence and what stands out? The words 'used to run'.

Because sadly that service got cut and the reason, funding, or lack of it. I had not been back to the sensory centre for a while and this weekend we visited as a family.

I couldn't believe how run down it looked. In the lovely little dark room they used to have projectors for the large film screen and one for the floor. Not there. Broken.

In the sensory light room, they used to have a switch box to activate the bubble lamp. Not there, broken.

To be honest, I would have had a better time taking him to a normal play centre. I asked an assistant why the box wasn't available, she explained it was broken and they had no money to fix it as their funds had been cut by the council.

I paid £7.50 to take two children in for an hour, I understand money is limited but if I am paying to use a place then I expect equipment to be working.

Secondly, I know councils are having budgets slashed and we see flyers to save libraries and other valuable services. But why is it that those in our society, the most vulnerable and the most at need have their programmes cut first?

My son with all his complex needs like his other pals have no access to leisure or social activities.

No, no, wait. 

There is a council bought in service called Playability that is for children with disabilities. 

Great, we can go there. 

No, actually you can't.

You see my son is PEG fed and he isn't allowed to take a one to one support worker in with him. But someone can come in and feed him, then leave him again without a one to one personal assistant, which he needs in order to access the world. This equals, no access to playability.

He no longer can meet his pals at the Dolphin sessions.

And now we will no longer be going to Warrington Play and Sensory Centre because despite us paying to get in it has equipment that is broken which will remain out of order until someone pays to get it fixed.

Warrington Council need to get a handle of a facility that has the potential to be really, really good. Instead they are choosing to let slip a valuable service to families and children with special needs.

What do I want to see? More opportunity for all children with disabilities, places to go for all and services that can accommodate even those with the most complex needs.


Guess I'm dreaming. 

Can only accommodate six wheelchair users

Here's a pop quiz. 

When does a theatre show for people with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties) not allow people with PMLD to come along? 

When it gets it's promotion and booking system completely and utterly ballsed up, that's when!

I don't get to take Zack to anything special that's suitable just for him and his needs very often. Don't get me wrong, he still joins in with all the family fun and activities but the majority of it isn't very suited to his needs. 

When I saw a little tweet about a show called Home specifically targeted at an audience for people with PMLD I had to get tickets.

The touring theatre company had shows running at the Lowry so myself and a couple of Zack's friends agreed we would go to the Saturday showing in March as I was advised that this had the most seats available to accommodate our numbers.

All booked, all sorted, and three happy mummy's looking forward to taking their children to a special show. 

Four days later I get an email from the Lowry Theatre to contact them as a matter of urgency. It turns out that whoever booked our tickets had over-sold the show and in particular over-sold the seat number to those audience members in wheelchairs.

Oh yes. Despite my statement to the booking lady asking if there is enough room for three wheelchair users and she telling me yes, it turns out each performance can only accommodate six wheelchair uses.

Again......

A show that if you read the advertising blurb states it is specifically for people with PMLD but can only accommodate six wheelchair users at a time.

So lets get this straight our children are now not being allowed to go to a show catering for their needs because of their disabilities. Oh dear Lord.

No, no, no, no, no. Needless to say I strongly stated how disappointed I was and how it was unacceptable and all the rest of it.  Twenty minutes later and another phone call the production company have very kindly managed to accommodate us, adapting the show so that we can come along with our wheelchairs.

Oh, thank you. That's very good of you and we are grateful, miffed off, but grateful.  I'm hoping after all the fuss I caused that Zack doesn't decide it's not for him and kicks off big time during show time.

I'll let you know how it goes.