A Sunderland boy living with a rare form of muscular dystrophy has finally been able to enjoy his local play park following the installation of a wheelchair friendly swing and roundabout.
Nine-year-old Will Calvert, who lives with Duchenne MD and is subsequently bound to a wheelchair as a result - meaning he was unable to make the most of Hylton Castle park's apparatus. However, following a year-long campaign from his auntie Angela Turnbull, two brand-new pieces of equipment for the less abled have been installed - meaning Will can have just as much fun as the other children.
Works for the swing and roundabout began just last month, being completed by Sunderland City Council roughly a month after the process began - and Will has wasted no time in getting down to the park and making the most of the new apparatus.
Regional Development Manager North England & East Midlands at Muscular Dystrophy UK, Susanne Driffield took to social media with a video of will enjoying the new swing. It was captioned: "This makes my heart happy!! You may remember my post about Angela working with her local council to have an accessible swing put in so that children with a disability like her Nephew Will could enjoy the park with their friends.
"I think this video says it all!"
In the video itself, Will is asked if he's having fun, to which he replies: "Yeah, I haven't been on a swing for years. It's really good."
And many have also in turn taken to social media to share their words of pride and joy in the fact that Will is now able to enjoy himself to the fullest when visiting Hylton Castle park.
Will's auntie Dawn, wrote: "My amazing nephew Will enjoying the simple things in life…. Every park should have a swing like this! Every child deserves to have fun," while @Jo77Jo, added: "Seeing this beautiful little lad enjoy a swing in his wheels made me cry and smile in equal measure."
Sharon White, commented: "That’s made my day!" and Lisa Parascandolo, Tweeted: "If I could harness that smile… what a fabulous video."
Speaking about the experience herself, Susanne added: "These videos make me so happy. Every child deserves the chance to ride on a swing.
"You can see the sheer joy in Will’s face. Thank you Sunderland Council.”
You can read more about Will's story, here.
Do you feel as though each park should have wheelchair accessible features?
Read next:
