A Petition to the City of Marion, North Carolina

We are asking the City of Marion to add a wheelchair-accessible swing to its inclusive playground so that children with physical disabilities can experience the simple joy of swinging alongside their siblings, friends, and peers.

Marion has already taken an important step by providing an inclusive playground. But a playground cannot be truly inclusive if children who use wheelchairs still have to sit on the sidelines while other children swing.

For many children with significant physical disabilities, opportunities to participate in ordinary childhood activities are limited. A wheelchair-accessible swing can turn something as simple as a trip to the playground into an opportunity for inclusion, independence, family connection, and FUN.

This request is personal to our family.

My son, Waylon, lives with severe physical disabilities and uses a wheelchair. Much of his childhood has been spent navigating hospitals, medical procedures, therapy, equipment, and countless appointments.

When he gets the opportunity to simply be a kid, it means everything.

He deserves to laugh with his siblings.

He deserves to play beside other children.

And he deserves to experience the same childhood joys that other children often take for granted.

A wheelchair-accessible swing would not benefit only Waylon. It would benefit children throughout Marion and McDowell County who use wheelchairs or have physical disabilities, as well as their siblings and families.

We are asking the City of Marion to:

• Install at least one wheelchair-accessible swing at Marion's inclusive playground.

• Ensure that the swing has an accessible route from the playground's accessible areas.

• Consider additional adaptive and inclusive equipment as future playground improvements are planned.

• Include local families and disability advocates in future discussions about accessible recreation.

The City of Marion has stated that recreation is an important part of the community and that it provides funding each year for the development and enhancement of its parks and recreation facilities.

Now we are asking Marion to take one more step toward making recreation truly inclusive.

A swing may seem like a small thing.

For a child who has spent much of their life being told, "You can't," it can mean so much more.

Every child deserves a place to play.

Every child deserves to belong.

Every child deserves a chance to swing.

Please join us in asking the City of Marion to add a wheelchair-accessible swing to its inclusive playground.

SIGN. SHARE. SPEAK UP.

Let's make sure that no child in Marion has to watch from the sidelines when they could be playing too.

#InclusiveMarion #WaylonsWorld #AccessibilityMatters #EveryChildDeservesToPlay