Let’s face it, it can be difficult to be a parent. Just ask any mother and father and they will tell you that it is a full-time job. For those who are raising a child that has special needs, however, it can be just a little more difficult. Fortunately, there are many individuals who make it easier for those parents to take their children out and enjoy a little bit of well-needed entertainment.
This is a good example of such a business owner. Cheryl Tate is the manager of The Barrel Chapeltown pub in Sheffield, England. Although she is only 29 years old, she has years of experience in handling her customers and obviously, she knows how to handle them properly. Recently, she had the opportunity to help a father who wanted to bring his child with special needs into the pub. The situation prompted her to make a public announcement.
Matthew Adams is their 13-year-old son and his disability made it difficult for them to take him out in public. His mother said that they were often concerned about “ruining other people’s evenings.” She also talked about the many negative comments and verbal abuse that she had to endure when she was out on her own with Matthew.
“Our son is usually very happy and sociable, he loves being out and about. However, quite often this can result in a very high pitched screaming or yelling to express this enjoyment, often accompanied by throwing his arms about and banging his head on his wheelchair, which is part of his sensory processing disorder.”
When they first asked Tate if they could bring their son into the pub, it was confusing to her. She was heartbroken over the problems that they had in public. Tate said, “It can be difficult enough for parents to take out children in wheelchairs, so to be turned away from somewhere when you do take them out is just awful.”
She then did something the next day that would bring a lot of attention to this necessary issue. She posted it on Twitter and received thousands of likes.
Quote: "If I find anyone making negative comments or being disrespectful they will be asked to leave, not you."
The Barrel Chapeltown – you are our sort of people!https://t.co/cHnORgewcK
— Elephant In The Room (@hullelephant) June 27, 2018
It seems as if many families who were in a similar situation were ready to reach out.
Going to a pub or restaurant can present many challenges for a family like ours. But the attitude of the lady lady at The Barrel Chapeltown is not one of them – thank you. https://t.co/wSdKwwENrc
— RainbowsR2Beautiful (@rainbowsaretoo) June 30, 2018
Thank you Steph Tate at The Barrel Chapletown for making this family welcome. Wish more people were like you and accepted those who feel so isolated by disability #disabilityawareness #CareDontStare https://t.co/Hd5fQBodTR
— marea cook (@MareaCook) July 1, 2018
Thank you Barrel Chapeltown: you are amazing and just what this world needs more of <3#Downpride#Disabilitypride
https://t.co/ej41URabcN— Renate Lindeman (@Downpride) June 30, 2018
Gratitude for what this woman did came in from a worldwide audience. Both the Adams family and Tate are thankful and overwhelmed with the outpouring of it.