By Laura Johnstone | The Good, The Bad, and Your Parenting Journey
Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me how far we still have to go when it comes to accessibility and understanding what it means to parent with a disability.
As a disabled mum with mobility challenges, I’ve had to find ways to make everyday life work. Right now, my daughter’s buggy isn’t just a way to carry her around—it’s my walking aid. I dread the day Amelia no longer needs it, because I’ll have to go back to using crutches again. And while I’ll do what I need to do, the truth is—mobility aids aren’t the challenge. The world around us is.
Yesterday, I had an appointment at the Job Centre in Worthing as part of my Universal Credit requirements. I gave myself plenty of time, took the train, and thought I had everything covered. But when I arrived at Worthing station, the lift was out of order. No warning. No announcements. Just a load of tape and two traffic cones.
Let’s be honest—stairs for one person and a baby in a buggy is already hard. Add mobility issues into the mix, and it becomes nearly impossible.
For me, stairs are tricky. I tried to get the attention of the station staff, which took 20 minutes. When I finally got the guards attention, I explained my situation, and his response was:
“You’ll have to get the train to Lancing, and then come back to Worthing.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the chest. I was already struggling, already managing pain, fatigue, a buggy, and a toddler. Now I was being asked to delay my journey, get on another train, and hope someone might help me the second time around.
The panic set in. I started shaking. I couldn’t get my breath. I could see that Amelia was getting upset watching me panic, and I couldn’t stop it. I was stuck in a situation I didn’t create, without any accessible support.
That’s when two police officers saw me and stepped in. They helped me calm down and made sure I got the help I needed, as in got Amelia and the buggy to the other platform while I took my time on the stairs. I was so grateful to them in that moment—it felt like someone actually saw me.
Eventually, I made it to my appointment on time. But I was dizzy, disoriented, and completely flustered. And then, right there in the Job Centre, I collapsed.
A kind security guard caught me—literally. He didn’t make me feel embarrassed or like a burden. He helped. Simple as that. And honestly, in a world that often doesn’t consider disabled mums at all, that act of kindness meant everything.
Of course, the stress didn’t end there. My digestive issues flared up for the rest of the day, like they always do when my nervous system is overwhelmed. But I got through it. And today, I reminded myself—it’s a new day.
Disabled Parents Exist. We Matter. And We Deserve Better.
This story isn’t about one broken lift. It’s about a broken system. Public transport should be accessible. Staff should be trained. And no disabled parent should be told to travel backwards to move forwards.
We live in a world that’s designed with “ability” in mind—where buggies, mobility aids, neurodivergence, and invisible illnesses are treated like afterthoughts. But we aren’t rare. We are here. And we are raising the next generation.
I’m not sharing this for pity—I’m sharing it for change. Because this isn’t just about me. It’s about every disabled mum trying to show up for their child in a world that doesn’t show up for them.
So next time you see a buggy, remember—it might not just be for the child. It might be the lifeline that helps a mum keep moving.
If this story resonates with you, I’d love you to like, share, and subscribe. Let’s keep raising awareness, one voice at a time. Together, we can push for a more inclusive world—for ourselves and for our children.
References / Further Reading:
• Scope UK – https://www.scope.org.uk – Disability equality charity in England and Wales
• Disabled Parents Network – http://www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
• Transport for All – https://www.transportforall.org.uk – Fighting for accessible transport in the UK
• “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk – A powerful read on how trauma affects the body
The bad and your parenting journey 