Terrington mum sees daughter dance at last
A MOTHER campaigning for disabled access to Lynn Arts Centre will finally see her daughter dance on its stage.
Lifelong wheelchair user Alison Norman (38), of Terrington St Clement, was forced to miss her ten-year-old daughter Gemma's last performance in 2005 because the venue did not have a suitable lift.
Now, in a controversial move, West Norfolk Council has installed a temporary stair climber which Mrs Norman, who has spinabifida, describes as "a dream come true."
The equipment will allow her to watch Gemma perform in Favourite Things, a production by Lynn Academy of Dancing, from Wednesday, December 5.
Last December the council agreed to spend 230,000 making the King Street venue more wheelchair-friendly after campaigners spent eight years fighting for a lift.
But this summer saw the plans put on ice while a review of key council-owned historic buildings, including the 600-year-old Grade I listed centre, is carried out.
It installed the powered stair climber to give disabled people "temporary and limited access" to the auditorium, but the decision to put the permanent plans on hold was met with anger by WNDiS (West Norfolk Disability Information Service).
The organisation last month held a protest outside the venue demanding the council stick to its original plans.
Mrs Norman told the Lynn News: "Although I realise the stairlift is – hopefully – a temporary measure, I'm very pleased because it enables me to go to see my daughter dance.
"She performs in shows every two years and I was not able to go and watch her at the last one. From my point of view the stair climber is a dream come true.
"I do not like making a fuss, but I felt this was something I had to fight for on a personal basis. I don't want to sound selfish, but first and foremost I wanted to get in and see my daughter.
"I don't want to cause any friction, but I feel it is only right I should say thank you. I appreciate the council finally installing the chairlift and I understand the situation put staff at the arts centre in an awkward position.
"I'm very strong in my upper body so I can get into the chair, but other people may not be able to. I would definitely still like to see a permanent lift go in," she explained.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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