Taking SLD ds to Festival

[donkeyderby]

Does anyone have experience of taking their SLD dc to a music festival? Someone mentioned festivals on another thread and it made me think.

Ds has SLD, mobility problems (needs a wheelchair frequently, but has the crappiest piece of bargain basement nhs shite for a chair you could possibly imagine!), has severe sleep problems, double incontinence and some challenging behaviours. No high medical needs.

The thing is, he really, really loves live music, and a bit of me thinks it would be lovely to take him, though most of me thinks it's a really bad idea. We went to Glastonbury for the day a few years back - never again. Terrain was mud soup and shuttle bus never turned up to take us back to the car park, so we had a terrifying hour long push in the dark on mud track with cars and pot holes.

Does anyone know of any truly disabled-friendly festivals? I'd even consider a Christian one despite my atheistic tendencies! I'm sure they would be welcoming enough. South-east preferable.

I found lattitude to be v good. Good for families in general and making good effort to accomodate all. Went in 2007. Disabled camping was in bad spot but think they made effort to redress that

DD loved it. She was v wee though

Remember to ask about getting a free ticket as a carer

We're taking DS1 - who is 10 with severe autism and severe learning disabilities to Camp Bestival (Dorset in July- NOT the Isle of Wight version).

They do have a disabled field and it looks pretty laid back. I'm trying to get a space in the disabled field as we're going to have problems setting up camp otherwise (one person will be with ds1, the other will be with 2 other children and trying to pitch a tent and get everything).

Is it Dorset??? Think so, south coast anyway and not Isle of Wight!

I believe Mr Tumble is at Bestival this year too isn't he?

Thanks for the replies. I looked at the Camp Bestival (Dorset) site yesterday but it seemed thin on disabled access advice - love to hear how it went saintly (if I don't see you there!) I think what I really need is day tickets to something with good toilets and small stages so he can get to the front. Perhaps just a really small festival, near enough to bolt home.

Latitude has good reviews, very family friendly generally.
Only 20 mins from me, if it really pours you cna always have my sofa

have you camped with him before donkey?We camped last year for 3 days so we have an idea of how much bloody hard work it will be, but we also know it's doable and that he enjoys it. If this works out then we can get more ambitious in the future. I think you're wise to take it slowly.

Saintlydame, have you taken ds to a festival before? we are taking ds with asd to Camp Bestival in Dorset as well and my main worry is how he will react to crowds, noise etc, we have a day ticket for the sunday, and we are hoping to see Mr Tumble! Ds is only 5 and we have 2 younger dds so we didnt fancy camping this year!

aw, thanks anon! Love to go to Latitude, it looks like my kind of festival.

Nope- never done a festival with ds1. I doubt he'll watch anything and will probably spend the time trying to get into forbidden areas

he will probably catch up with my ds breaking in to forbidden areas as well!

Ooh - didn't know you could get day tickets to Bestival. Can't do whole weekend as I'm running staggering Race For Life - but could poss do one day. Think it looks fab!

oh sphil do come (PS send me details and I'll sponsor you!)

Thanks - I haven't done anything about raising money yet

Am I the only one who last year, put her disabled child into respite and went to the festival without her but with our other kids?

O dear.

I feel like I have to justify myself.

Not at all mmarsbars, if thats what works for your family then no on should judge & you don't ned to justify.

Was it good

folk festival - clog dancers and all - kids loved it!

DD hates loud music - although this year I was VERY brave and took her to brass band concert (brother plays in) and the held her head and moaned. Maybe not next time ...

meltedmarsbars, last year I also put my child in respite, left the rest of the family at home and buggered off to a festival. I'd like to do the same this year but I'm thinking I could just about manage a day festival with ds...maybe

I've left ds1 and taken the younger two on a short holiday before. And Ds1 will be doing some respite this summer while we take the others camping for a few days. We're bringing ds1 to the festival because it will (I think) be easier for us than taking him regular camping- because he won't stay at the tent at all - not even for 5 minutes - we figured walking round and round a festival would be easier and more interesting for the person with him than just marching off into the distance on a road. iyswim.

Greenbelt- august bank hol, Cheltenham, Christian music and arts. Is reasonable on access. Its held at Cheltenham race course and most of the site is linked by tarmaced road ways. Lots of the venues are indoor and there is lift access and some bog standard wheelchair accessible loos- I don't recall anything reeallly great, just the norm. Large lit tarmaced car park if you are coming and going from site.

Beautiful Days- Devon, July ish IIRC. small ish fest, levelers home festival so a bit folk rocky. had a wheelchair users camp area close to the main arena last time I was there. portaloos. tracks around site a mix of tarmac and stone and grass. car parking on grass, unlit last year apart from gates.Site is hilly.

Guilfest. I don;t know much but it gets very good write ups and is in the South East _ Guildford- their kids area is well regarded. Don't know how old your DS is tho.

South Hill Park Arts centre at Bracknell do festival type days.