A WIRRAL mum is leading a campaign to gain better play parks for the borough’s disabled children.
Michelle Standon, whose six-year-old daughter is physically disabled, says “enough is enough” and parks should cater for all youngsters.
She wants council bosses to make play areas wheelchair accessible so that her little girl Paige and other children can enjoy swings, roundabouts and slides.
Michelle, from Moreton, has launched an online petition to gather public support for the cause and is hoping to gain at least 1,500 signatures – enough for the issue to be debated by full council.
She said: “I have got to the point where I have finally had enough. There is just one wheelchair-friendly roundabout in Wirral at a park in Thornton Hough, but that is a long way to drive for one roundabout! All children should be able to play together as equals but that is not happening at the moment.
“Paige’s school facilities are fantastic and we have a special needs swing in our garden. But we don’t have anywhere to take her outside of those two places.”
Michelle believes Yew Tree park in Moreton is an ideal place to add new equipment and is campaigning for bigger swings which have five-point harnesses, a wheelchair adapted roundabout and a lower than average climbing frame, which also has a slide.
She wants children like Paige to be able to play together with their siblings and feel equal.
And Ian Lewis, ward councillor for Leasowe and Moreton East, is keen to promote Michelle’s campaign.
Cllr Lewis said: “Currently, parents have to travel very far for some sort of play facility for their disabled children. We need specific equipment for these children and the best way to do it is to integrate it into existing parks so that all children can play together.”
Paige, who attends The Lyndale School, Eastham, has an undiagnosed condition which means she is wheelchair-bound and requires round-the-clock care from her mum.
Michelle added: “It’s about time the council considered all children. There are a lot of disabled children out there who are not being catered for and cannot enjoy a day in the park like others.”
To add your name to the petition, click the link below and follow the link for e-petitions.
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