📖 July Diary: The Price of a Memory

 

Dear Diary

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how our definitions of "luxury" change as we grow. When I was a kid, luxury was the smell of the ferry engine and the salt air on the way to France. It was those rare, special trips when the family had the money to go away together, and the world felt huge, exciting, and completely different.

But life has a way of refocusing your lens. Between navigating life with CP and the long, hard years of managing Stage 4 Endometriosis, my "luxury" looks different now.

It isn't a stamp in a passport anymore. It’s the relief of seeing a ramp at the front door. It’s a wet room that doesn't feel like a battleground. It’s the quiet peace of knowing I can navigate a space without my body paying the price for it the next day.

The Cornwall Pull France was the big family treat, but Cornwall... Cornwall is my roots. It’s the family staple. I was thinking today about Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth and Fistral. There’s something about that coastline that settles my soul.

When I was taking my own kids away, the "luxury" I looked for was the ability to be a Mum first and a patient second. I chose the UK holiday parks not because I didn't want the world, but because I needed the hoist, the widened doors, and the level access that allowed me to actually be there with them, rather than just surviving the trip.

I still dream of those family trips to the French coast sometimes, but I’ve learned that a memory made at a rainy Cornwall beach is worth just as much, as long as I have the accessibility to actually make it.

A note for my Global Sweethearts: Whether you’re looking at the rugged cliffs of Cornwall or the coast of France, your luxury is your access. In the UK, we have some gems like the sand-friendly wheelchairs at Gyllyngvase, but I know many of you have your own local "safe havens" in your own countries. Treasure them.

Diary of a Disabled Mum – Our Accessible Haven Holiday 🏖️ June 1st: The Annual Pilgrimage to Haven

 Dear diary,

"It’s June again, and my thoughts always turn to those precious summer breaks with my twins. As a disabled mum navigating Stage 4 Endometriosis, 'holiday planning' wasn't about spontaneity; it’s about strategic comfort and ensuring everyone, especially my wonderful kids, has the best time. And I was able to relax even though I have cerebral palsy and endometriosis. 

That's why Haven Holidays became our annual pilgrimage. I remember those early days, the apprehension of trying somewhere new. But Haven, bless them, truly understood. Their Type 2 Adapted Caravans weren't just 'accessible' in name; they were a lifeline.

Ramps, Wet Rooms, and Peace of Mind

Walking into our caravan for the first time each year felt like lifting a weight lifting. The ramp access meant no wrestling wheelchairs up steps. Inside, the extra-wide doors and spacious layout meant I could move freely, and I didn't have to contort myself in pain just to be with them. The wet room was a game-changer – no slippery shower trays, just pure ease. It meant I could manage showers without aggravating my pain, and they had the independence they craved.

The little things made all the difference: the trapeze lift handles in the main bedroom, and even the dedicated Blue Badge parking right near the entertainment complexes. It meant less pain for me and more energy to spend cheering on the twins at the evening shows or watching them splash safely in the adapted pools.

Beyond Haven: Other Family-Friendly Accessible Options

• Parkdean Resorts: Another brilliant option, with over 60 parks offering adapted units. Their ABI Derwent caravans boast features like lowered kitchen counters and extra-wide sliding doors.

• Butlin's: If you're looking for high-energy fun with fantastic inclusive play, Butlin's is stepping up! Their new SKYPARK at Minehead has a wheelchair-friendly seesaw, and they're rolling out Changing Places Toilets.

🌍 A Little Note for My Global Sweethearts: While these are my beloved UK go-tos, please know that many major holiday resort chains worldwide are making similar strides in accessibility. Look for "barrier-free" or "adapted" accommodation filters. Every family deserves a worry-free holiday!

❤