THE mother of a disabled Sough boy has criticised inaccessible play equipment in a local park.

Joanne Bjork is the parent carer of 12-year-old Matthew, who has Dravet Syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that causes uncontrolled epilepsy, severe learning difficulties, autism and ataxia.

Despite his condition, he loves playing on slides, but as the Sough Park play equipment is more of a climbing frame than a traditional slide, he can't safely use it.

Mrs Bjork, 45, said: "He is a happy, adventurous little boy, who loves life.

"He manages to do things like climbing and can spend ages and ages on a slide. But what he cannot manage, and breaks my heart, is the 'slide' at Sough.

"My house backs onto Sough Park, so you can imagine my frustration. It's really easy to walk to the park, but when he gets there, there's nothing for him to do. We end up having to drive to other parks in the area to access 'normal' slides."

"It's not only Matthew who struggles with this piece of equipment," she added. "It's very inaccessible for young children and kids with special needs.

"It's a strange piece of equipment. I've had a go on it and nearly injured myself.

"I've lived in Sough for 40 years, and we've had numerous amounts of equipment in that time, but this is by far the most difficult.

"I'm sure they meant well when they installed it, but why couldn't they install things like a roundabout, seesaw, rocking horse or a normal slide?

"I feel cruel stopping Matthew from doing these things because he just wants to be a normal little boy and play like all the other children. It just makes me sad."

Mrs Bjork is now asking that the play equipment at the park be updated.

A spokesman for Pendle Council, which looks after Sough Park, said the council was proud of its parks and open spaces and strived to make them places all residents can enjoy.

Kieron Roberts, green spaces development officer, said: “Unfortunately, we have very little play equipment specifically for young people with disabilities.

“I have met with Pendle Parent Carer Forum to hear what they would like to see in our play areas, if there is an opportunity to update the equipment in future.

“Unfortunately, owing to the difficult financial climate, we don’t currently have money allocated for new play equipment. Money is spent on repairing and maintaining existing equipment."

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