Wheelchair user family urges Councils to ‘Say YES to Changing Places!’
We talked to Jo Elgarf, whose daughter Nora and mum both use a wheelchair, about what having access to Changing Places toilets means to her family, and why she wants all councils to opt in to receive their share
of the recently announced £30m of Government funding.
‘In 2012 I was a mum of one who worked as a PA and had a great social life. I knew little about the real needs of people with physical disabilities. In 2013 my mum had a massive stroke and lost all movement down her right. She was now a full-time wheelchair user and I quickly learnt a step was a mountain to her in her electric chair. I had twins in 2014 and in late 2014 we found out that one of the twins, Nora, had cerebral palsy and would likely never sit or walk.
Jo Elgarf with her daughter Nora
Nora’s disabilities never stopped us. We went to Cornwall lots to see Mum and Dad.
We flew to Egypt on holiday. It was easy. Nora was little and could use a baby changing facility.
Suddenly, when she was around 5 (she is 7 now), that wasn’t an option as she was too big. Luckily someone told me about Changing Places.
I found one at a Tesco and another at Exeter Services. We are members of RHS Wisley because we know they have a Changing Place.
Nora may not be able to walk but she is a young girl who wants to be just like her identical twin, Layla. She wants to go on holiday, go swimming, go to the cinema. My mum is the same, she wants to go to a supermarket or visit stately homes with other people from her residential home.
Having a Changing Place is my number one requirement for places we go to. It is the first thing I check for. It makes a world of difference to us.
So, I ask all councils to say yes to Changing Places so Nora and Layla can share experiences together. Perhaps, when Covid19 restrictions allow, we could have a family day out with their Grandmother in Cornwall – all thanks to Changing Places.’
ABOUT JO ELGARF
Jo is a proud mum of three children, including Nora who has Polymicrogyria. She campaigns for better therapy funding, specialist schools and Changing Places toilets for those with disabilities. Nora and Jo worked with Tesco on their Changing Places toilet project, and appeared in their recent advertising campaign.
Discover Changing Places with Aveso
As official sponsors of the Changing Places campaign, we are passionate about creating spaces which provide a safe environment for people with additional needs. We can help every step of the way; from initial advice on feasibility and funding, to planning and design, through to installation. Book a consultation to find out more.