This is a collaborative post
I love walking – in fact, it is my favourite exercise. Whilst it can be a bit disheartening in miserable weather, I love walking Jack to school with Olivia in the mornings or going for walks around our local common and parks as a family at the weekend.
As it is National Walking Month, I have been thinking about the different places we can go to walk in our local area that all the family can enjoy. I always found it difficult finding places to walk with my late father who was registered disabled and whilst we would love to go on walks with both of my in laws (who are both also registered disabled), it can be difficult to find somewhere where they can walk without many problems and actually enjoy themselves.
All too often, they have to worry about not falling or mis stepping. This can really suck the enjoyment out of something that is meant to be fun – after all, who doesn’t love a nice walk with their family?
I’ve been looking at different mobility aids and have also been looking up accessible countryside walks in our county, Hertfordshire. It is so handy to know just what places are accessible for those in wheelchairs or with mobility problems in our area – I didn’t actually realise there was so many and must just have been really unlucky before when walking with my Dad. The walks and sites listed will generally be easy going for the able bodied who just want a gentle stroll as well as accessible to the disabled which is really great.
I know there are plenty of accessible places to walk across the country but there are also plenty of spaces that aren’t as accessible across the country too – this is not good and should be so much better for those with mobility problems. We as a family want to be able to get out and enjoy ourselves and have fun without having to worry that someone may fall, take a tumble. We want to be able to enjoy a simple stroll and not be anxious that something may happen and that someone may get hurt – this is why accessible walking routes are such a must and I can’t emphasise this enough – it is so important!
Until now we have been visiting the places we know are suitable for those with mobility problems and haven’t really ventured further afield as we just didn’t know where was suitable. Now I know of more places in my area, I will definitely be encouraging us going for walks as a family more often, especially as it is coming to Summer. We may also already be halfway through the month but National Walking Month is here and we should be taking advantage of it. I’m going to start with a long walk to the outskirts of my village this Sunday (about 1 mile) to go and watch our village charity Fun Run with Steve and the children. I might even ask my Mum and my in laws to join us – why not get out and enjoy the weather?