Hi readers, it's Kerry and William here this week talking sea and wheelchairs!
I, Kerry, went to Weymouth last week and saw the matting so wheelchairs can access the beach. It’s good, and got me thinking about actually getting into the sea, as I’d love to do that. My Mum once took me and my wheelchair into the sea. It was amazing, fun and also a bit naughty as she wasn’t supposed to, but wanted me to have that experience. Sadly she’s passed away, so we won’t do it again, but it’s made me think it must be possible. But how?
As we write, I’ve been googling, and can find matting for the sand, but nothing right into the sea. I think to get right into the sea, it’d have to be on a bespoke ramp and matting.
I, William, like swimming in the sea too, but not done it for ages, and think Kerry’s idea is great.
Since writing this, Laura, who helps us edit this column, has been googling, and found a small family run guest house in Greece, with 5 accessible apartments, and best of all, a specially designed ramp taking wheelchairs straight into the sea. How amazing it would be to go there, one of those once in a lifetime experiences!
I wonder if Dorset would ever get something like this, especially with the summers getting much warmer. How about it, councillors and businesses in Weymouth, with a fabulous Changing Places facility on the beach, what about a ramp into the sea, so we can we make Weymouth beach a truly disability friendly tourist attraction!
The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff