Dear Doctor

Dear Medical Professional, You will ask about his medical history, And I will repeat the story I have told 100 times or more, The details fine tuned to the essentials I know you need: He was born full term, He has a 7 year old brother who is fit and well, He is allergic to penicillin.  You will ask me what happened, And I will answer: He is 6 years old. He wasn't breathing for 7 minutes. I gave him mouth to mouth. I will hand over a careful typed piece of A4 paper. It will tell you his hospital number, The things he is allergic to, A list of medications and doses. You will take it and smile. You'll tell me I make your job easier. I will stand calm, And in control.  You see my demeanour, my hospital bags packed and ready, And you say, You've done this before. I'll nod and say many times. But remember this; That 6 year old is my baby. That boy with the oxygen, And the wires, And the tubes, Is my son. I watched him turn bl
0

Just Bog Off!!!

This is Hugh.  Hugh is 6.  Hugh uses a wheelchair.
Hugh likes to go out, just like other 6 year olds.
Hugh sometimes needs to go to the toilet when he is out, just like other 6 year olds. 

This is a disabled toilet.  Hugh is disabled.

Hugh has a special key that lets him use disabled toilets.

Hugh can't use this disabled toilet though.  Hugh can't sit or stand by himself. 


Hugh wears nappies. Just like Teddy.

Where would you change Hugh?


On the floor? Just like Teddy? 


Hugh looks at Teddy on the floor.

"Bog off Mum," thinks Hugh. "I'm not lying on a toilet floor!!!"

Where would you change Hugh?



This is a baby changing facility.
Hugh is NOT a baby.  Hugh is 6!
Teddy can fit on the changing table. 
Hugh can't,  because Hugh is not a baby. 


Hugh looks at Teddy on the changing table.


"Bog off, Mum", thinks Hugh "I can't fit on that baby changing table!"

Where would you change Hugh?


In the boot of the car?  Teddy doesn't mind!
Hugh does.

Hugh thinks, "Bog off, Mum! I'm not lying in the boot of the car!"

Where would you change Hugh?
"How about here, Mum?" Thinks Hugh.

This is a Changing Places Facility.

It has a hoist to help Mum lift Hugh. He's 6 now and 6 year olds can be quite heavy.
It has a height adjustable bench to lie Hugh on. This helps Mum's back.


The changing table is big enough for Teddy.

And it's big enough for Hugh. 


Over 1/4 of a million people would benefit from a Changing Places Facility.  
Sadly there are less than 900 of them in the U.K. 
For many people an ordinary disabled toilet is not enough. 

Sign the petition here to get that changed!







Comments

  1. Anne31 October 2016 at 17:20

    I love this, it really gets the message across.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Little Mama Murphy31 October 2016 at 23:29

      Thanks Anne. Thankfully Hugh was happy enough to let me photograph him in lots of random toilets today

      Delete
  2. Unknown31 October 2016 at 17:36

    I love that you have written this as a social story. It makes it very powerful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rachel31 October 2016 at 23:25

    Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Little Mama Murphy31 October 2016 at 23:32

    Ha ha, thanks Jo. I hadn't even thought of it like that. I'd kind of wanted to make it simple, you know like- it's simple to understand why we need these facilities- but hadn't though of it like a social story. Must be the Autism teacher coming out in me I guess!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hannah1 November 2016 at 10:47

    This is ace, I don't think I can share it enough! It reads just like a story!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous5 July 2017 at 13:45

    Disabled facilities need to chang a great deal. My daughter needs two carers, a hoist and specialised shower, bed etc. We can NEVER go on holiday because there are no facilities in decent hotels 😈😈😈😈

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mam's Fabrics19 July 2017 at 16:49

    I love the way you've written this. The situation needs changing (scuse the pun!), there is far too much inequatlity for disabled children x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Little Mama Murphy19 July 2017 at 18:38

      Thanks Jo don't worry about the pun (I've used one myself plenty of times in this post). And yes, it really does need changing!!!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.