Navigating London can seem daunting for newcomers, not least if you have a disability. But for Brighton resident Grace Fox, who has Multiple Sclerosis, her daughters, and support dog Lucy, a recent trip to the capital was a seamless experience.
To mark Disabled Access Day, which highlights accessibility in public spaces, venues and services, Grace and daughters Adele and Hannah have championed their London visit, which included food at The Original Ivy and a theatre trip to see The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre.
The family say venues were particularly welcoming of Lucy, Grace’s Labrador, who has been trained by the national charity Support Dogs to help with a range of everyday tasks. Lucy was on paw to push access buttons, lift the footplates on Grace’s wheelchair, help Grace off with her jacket, and pick up items, as both daughters also have a disability which makes it difficult for them to bend.
The theme of this year’s Disabled Access Day is “You and Somewhere New”, and it was Lucy’s first trip to London, taken as a treat after Grace spent 10 weeks in hospital following a procedure.
Adele said Lucy did well on the train from Brighton. The family had booked the accessibility ramp via an app ahead of their trip and were helped off at Blackfriars. Taxis proved equally accommodating, with a fold-out side ramp rather than one at the back.
“The drivers were very friendly – they loved Lucy,” said Grace.
The family took Lucy for a free run in Lincoln’s Inn Fields park, which had flat, wheelchair-accessible areas and an accessible café where they stopped for lemongrass tea and water for Lucy.
A 15-minute walk away, Lucy navigated crowds and scaffolding with ease to reach The Original Ivy, where the family were delighted with her reception.
Grace, 64, said: “We’d already phoned up to check that it was okay to bring Lucy and we asked the man on the door if they could double-check with the manager. He went away, came back and said ‘please come in.’
“They sat us at a table at the entrance and Lucy was in the best place, because everyone coming in and going out – businessmen and families – asked to say hello to her. She did such a good job of settling – she didn’t get up at all. They put a food station next to her, and she didn’t get up.
“The staff got her some water and wanted to say hello. I think she was the first assistance dog that’s been in there.”
At the Dominion Theatre, the group entered via their own private entrance, with accessible toilets and dedicated staff who showed them to their wheelchair-accessible box.
Grace added: “London was so enjoyable, and even more so with Lucy by my side.
“She just makes me feel confident. Quite often, when I’m in a wheelchair by myself, people don’t talk to you or come up to you. When I’ve got Lucy, most people come up and say ‘hi’ and a few words to me.”
Hannah added: “The way Lucy navigates crowds, and looks up at mum and mum looks back at her, I can see the confidence in her when Lucy is with her, compared to when she’s not with her.
“Going from Brighton theatre to a London theatre was a big step for us – we expected it to be harder – but it was just like going to our local theatre. It was very easy to book an accessible box online.
“From the train staff, to the theatre staff, it’s been really easy. There is a lot more awareness of assistance dogs and it feels like attitudes are changing.
“London is really accessible. It’s just about planning. There’s even a Tube map which shows you accessible stops.”
Adele added: “Lucy was very good. The show was quite loud – they did warn us, and a performer came close to us. But Lucy did not care.”
Support Dogs trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children and those living with epilepsy or a physical disability to live safer, more independent lives. To find out more, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.