Additional Needs

When a Trolley is Much More Than a Vehicle to Put Your Shopping In

Posted by Miriam Gwynne on 3rd November 2016 Additional Needs, Campaigns, Disabilities

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I was fortunate to be blessed 8 years ago with twins.

They look cute and adorable but trying to get out the house was challenging.

There isn't much you can safely carry while pushing a twin buggy but I always knew whatever supermarket I chose to go to I would be able to use a twin trolley. First I used the twin baby ones and later the twin side by side seats.

But then I started to face problems. My son wasn't meeting milestones and as time went on it was obvious he was having significant difficulties.

The place I spent most of my money in every week became a place of dread as I struggled to find a suitable trolley for a three year old who could not walk and who had seizures.

For years I could only enter a supermarket if I did not have my children with me.

I was forced to do internet shopping as there was no trolley that met my son’s needs. I could not push his wheelchair and a trolley around together and a basket holds so little.

It was life restricting for us all.

Can you imagine needing bread and milk and having your child with you but not being able to go inside the supermarket simply because there is no way to get him round the store and hold your groceries?

Supermarkets are one of the most frequented shops of all, yet often families with disabled children are excluded simply because there is no trolley to allow them to shop.

Last week however I popped to my local Asda while my son was at school. I picked up the essentials we needed that day and on my way back to the car I stopped.

I looked at something as I put my standard shallow trolley back to collect my pound coin and I felt tears well up in my eyes.

I could have ran in and kissed the manager then and there!

I could have jumped up and danced around in circles with joy.

Instead I put my bags down for a second, got out my phone and took a picture. As I walked back to my car the tears fell silently.

This isn't just a trolley to me. It is much more than a vehicle to put my weekly shopping in.

This picture represents inclusion, breakthrough, even relief.

This firefly trolley means I can finally get my son safely into the store with me whenever needed.

It means my lifestyle can be adjusted to include my son in a place he has been restricted in entering for years.

It means safety, comfort and support for him and freedom for me.

Today I could have chosen a shallow trolley, a larger one with seats that I used to use all those years ago when my twins were small or even a basket.

For ninety nine percent of the customers this is the choice they make every week. A few may require motorised trolleys or ones that clip to a wheelchair. These have all been around for years.

So why have I had to wait so long for this life-changing trolley?

I am not the only parent in my town with a disabled child who would benefit from this firefly trolley.

But I admit I may be the first one to cry at the site of a trolley.

Thank you Asda. It really is much more to me than a vehicle to put my shopping in.

The next time I visit I can assure you that trolley will have my beautiful brown eyed 8 year old boy in. He can't speak but I know if he could he would say thank you too.