Posh hotel rooms, cars to whisk you from A to B and hair and make-up artistsΒ transforming you from a knackered mum into someone you don’t quite recognise: I’ve had a taste of how the other half live.
I’m writing this after appearing on ITVβs Good Morning BritainΒ to talk about pushchairs and wheelchairs on buses and the problems facing passengers with wheels.
The Supreme Court is due to rule whether wheelchair users should take priority over parents withΒ buggies, and I was invited onto the show after I wroteΒ this post on wheelchairs vs buggies and the big bus debate.
I travel on buses with a buggy every day soΒ it’s something I know rather a lot about – the waiting at bus stops when you’re not allowed on, the difficulty of folding a pushchair when you’re loaded down with a baby, shopping and another child (not to mention being pregnant)Β and the tutting of passengers – although to be honest itβs a subject I sometimes wish I hadnβt touched on.
My post proved rather controversial – I was trolled on Twitter, mainly by people who hadnβt actually read it, only other peopleβs responses to it β and readers started up their own arguments between themselves too. Basically I opened a right can of worms.
So I wasΒ slightly dreading what the result of going on liveΒ TV to talk about it was going to be (andΒ I wasΒ determined not to make the same mistakes I did last time I was on This Morning).
Would I get a grilling from Piers Morgan? What wouldΒ Susanna Reid be like? And would it prove to be a Good Morning or a Very Bad one?
Luckily it tuned out to beΒ a Good Morning. Although Piers Morgan clearly hates pushchairs I escaped relativelyΒ unscathed, and Susanna wasn’t as fiery as I thought she might be. It was a good debate raising an important issue, and I’m pleased ITV saw fit to give it air time.
You can watch the clip here.
It was also like stepping into a different world – one with celebrities everywhere you look (Sir Trevor McDonald was in the green room), make up artists and hair stylists literally working magic and chauffeur driven cars to take you from door to door.
Yes, I could definitely get used to being on TV.
Linking up withβ¦
Congratulations! I’m going to give up trying to get my baby back to sleep (hopeless task) and hope downstairs to watch! X
Thank you – hope you enjoyed it!
Good luck hun! I’m really interested to hear this. Going to the gym in a min but should be able to catch up or rewind!! Amazing op and well done you. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Thank you – hope you got to catch it in the end and didn’t hang around in the gym for too long!!
Oooooooo I’m currently watching GMB now (glad it’s a day I work from home so I can see you). I bloody love the show (and Susannah and Piers!). Can’t wait to see you xx #bestandworst
I have to admit I’d never actually watched it until the day I was on it myself!!
Good luck hope it all goes well I’m sure you will be fab #bestandworst
Thank you – it did go well thank goodness!
I just saw you and you came across well! Always nice to hear how bloggers speak too. You looked gorgeous too #bestandworst
Thank you! It’s so hard to get all your points across when it’s live!
Ooooh I must have missed that post? Good luck, and I hope it went well…I will have a read of that post now! #bestandworst
It did thank you!
You did very well! Well done!
I hope something is done so that both wheelchair users and mummies with pushchairs can sit comfortably on the buses.
I look after my friend’s baby once a week and when I jump on the bus with him, I have to admit, I do dread trying to squeeze on with the pushchair!
It can be a really stressful experience, both for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs…
I am sorry but I think that parents should be pragmatic on buses. Jam a mother and went around with pushchairs for 5 years. I always folded the buggy and made sure I had a buggy that could be folded. A backpack for all the things needed with children a sling on front in the early months of my daughter. I look today and I find some mothers very self-righteous. I had no car and did all my shopping that way too (goof). I think the fashion in buggies is also anti-social. Wheelchairs are not a fashion choice not an option ..cannot fold. And it is not just wheelchairs, very old people with walking support etc.. Sorry mothers chose a buggy that is light and pragmatic foldable and encourage manufacturer to produce buggy designs that are suitable for this purpose and the use of public transport…useful for women using the underground too.
I agree – I think common sense and manners would go a long way in this debate! Sometimes when I get on buses there seems to be an ‘each to their own’ mentality…
Oh wow how brilliant and this is indeed quite a controversial topic. Well done hun! #FamilyFun
I can’t watch the video as I’m outside the UK (BLA!)
Oh no – I seem to remember that being the case last time with This Morning. Maybe because it’s ITV?
Thank you!x
Wow wow wow how amazing is that. Well done you you look gorgeous by the way! Well done you you did fab, I have little experience with buses and pushchairs. I dared it once and everyone was very nice to me as I had a baby and toddler in tow. I did sit in the disabled seat where I parked my buggy and I suspect I will hunt drawn and quartered for admitting to that but we were going two stops and it was not needed by anyone… well done again lovey and thanks for linking to #familyfun xx
Thank you! Unfortunately I use buses with a child and toddler every day and it’s not always a happy experience…
Oh my how amazing to find yourself on TV and a really controversial topic. Sounds like you did yourself proud, I heard a lot about it on breakfast TV this morning too.
Yes it’s a topic that’s certainly got everyone talking…
Wow, well done. You were so calm and collected and didn’t rise the the bait when Piers Morgan tried to get you to. I didn’t drive when my first child was born so had to use the bus a lot then and hated every minute of it. One thing I want to bring up for all the people talking about folding pushchairs up etc is that the last time I went on a bus with a pushchair there wasn’t actually anywhere to put one folded up. Buses always used to have a tall baggage area now they have very shallow ones that seem to be purely for holding the newspapers. If you have bags, a baby, possibly another child and a pushchair it can be a nightmare. I do agree that disabled people, and old people for that matter, should take priority but surely they can find another solution.
#Bestandworst
Yes the baggage areas aren’t always accessible – especially now I’m 9 months pregnant. There’s no way I could lift our folded buggy into one…
I actually saw this on GMB this morning. You did brilliantly. This is such a controversial topic. Of course wheelchair users should have the priority but as a mother who uses buses quite a lot it can be frustrating if you have to get off or if there isn’t any room for you to get on, but wheelchair users do need the space more. Well done – you handled Piers Morgan very well haha #familyfun
Thank you – I was worried about Piers I have to admit!
Wow congratulations! A new career path for you??!
The wheelchair/pram debate frustrates me so much. As somebody who spent 6 years in a wheelchair (better now though) and now has 2 children, I feel like I have been on both sides and my conclusion is that wheelchairs should NOT automatically take priority… But that’s a debate for another day.
Well done on being brave enough to do this. It takes real guts. #familyfun
That’s a really interesting perspective – you should definitely blog about this!
First of all you look great. And good on you for bringing up what can be a tricky subject! You held yourself brilliantly x #coolmumclub
Thank you – it could have gone either way I think, especially being live TV!
Ah this is so cool! It caught my eye over on #coolmumclub because I did a Skype interview live on Sky News this week! Look at us famous pair!! π Also, I dread getting on the bus with a wheelchair, it makes me so anxious for all the reasons you’ve listed. I’m not sure what the answer is as we al need to use public transport but I do find it such a worry xxx
Sounds like you’ve had an exciting week too – hope it went well!
Just watched the clip and completely agree – whilst the wheelchair user does have priority, there should be room for both. I thought you came across extremely well – very articulate and made your point calmly and effectively. Well done for helping to speak out on what can be a rather divisive and controversial subject. #ablogginggoodtime
Thanks so much – I was in two minds whether it was a good idea talking about this subject…
Well done!Controversial but you’ve done brilliant! #coolmumclub
Thanks so much xx
Oh how exciting, should we all be asking for your autograph now? I have always been lucky enough to have a car or be within walking distance of town, so I have no experience of buggies on buses, but I would expect wheelchairs and buggies to be catered for. Glad it was indeed a Good Morning for you #BestandWorst x
Thank you – a car would make things so much simpler…
Well done you! That must have been nerve wracking but what an incredible experience and you managed to hold your own up against the Morgan! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely xoxo
I was mightily worried about Piers Morgan beforehand!
aww this is amazing, well done, it is never easy to go on tv it’s extremely terrifying Iβm sure! #coolmumclub
I think live TV makes it more terrifying too!
You did amazing! You handled yourself so calmly and came across very well. It’s such a controversial topic but you really did do it justice. Well done! #coolmumclub #ablogginggoodtime
Thank you very much! xx
I Heard about this! mixed views. great post though!
Thank you!
Well done you. It’s a very controversial topic, pushchairs aren’t a necessity in the sense they can be folded down. A disabled person can’t get out or a wheelchair. That said I have a serious spinal condition there is no way I would be able to fold the pushchair and hold the baby let alone if I had other kids to watch. That’s not me being lazy but disabilities come in all shapes and sizes.
That’s so true – and disabilities aren’t always immediately obvious either x
Whoop go Natalie! I was so excited when you were on TV last time and you go and get another prime time gig π
Can we watch the clip anywhere?
Thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub – don’t forget us when you’re famous!
Yes the link to the clip is in the post now!
I think you handled that well. Susanna has never come over to me as fiery but I do think she puts up with Piers sometimes. #FamilyFun
I have to agree with you there – I don’t envy her job!!
Good on you for putting your point across! it’s such a touchy subject and I can fully understand both sides however I don’t think buggies should automatically have to move for wheelchair users. It’s never as simple as just folding down the buggy, I know when my son was a baby I wouldn’t have been able to fold down his pram – and where are you meant to put your baby when you’re manhandling a buggy! I think buses should have more room in general for buggies and wheelchairs. #coolmumsclub
If there were separate allocated spaces for both it would solve so many problems…
Wow you did so well and came across brilliantly, well done:)
Mainy
#bestandworst
Thank you xx
Firstly, good for you for writing about something that affects you, secondly ignore the trolls, they obviously have no knowledge of the situation they are just being horrid as they have nothing else to do.
I can imagine how nice it must have been having your hair and make up done, I like to be on tv just for that reason lol. I think you came across really well x
#FamilyFun
I should have organised a day out afterwards to make the most of the make-over!
Well done on getting on TV a good debate and definitely a different lifestyle. Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
It’s good subjects like this are debated I think, otherwise nothing will ever change…
A huge well done!! Go you!! I need to go and find the clip now xxx
#coolmumclub
Thank you!
Just popped over for a read and it’s that lady I watched on GMTV! Well done for sticking up for all mothers with buggies. I wouldn’t mind having a nose in the background there. Especially the wardrobe department!
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
I didn’t actually get to see the wardrobe department – yes that would be interesting! Susanna was wearing some amazing shoes…
Bravo! Nicely done! And a great segue from blog to vlog to TV! Go GIRRL!
Thank you!!
How cool! It’s so nice that bloggers are being seen on the TV more and their opinions are recognised. #KCACOLS
Yes that’s true!
Well done. You were calm and collected. It is good to see bloggers on TV. Pen x #KCACOLS
Thank you!!
The baby days are difficult but the thing which really struck me about this case is that the mother who refused to fold her buggy has moved on in life. It was a fleeting time of difficulty for her. Doug Paulley has continued to struggle. There was a heartrending video filmed by Channel 5 on the day of the supreme court decision and it really showed clearly the awful situation and the abuse faced by wheelchair users every day.
Of course the solution is more space and parents should be asking bus companies for it, but the “wheelchair space” is the only space on the whole bus that a wheelchair user can use. People should also bear in mind that not every wheelchair user can access a toilet when they are out. Being disabled is a long term difficulty.
I did watch the show though and I thought you and Mik Scarlett came across very well.
There are so many things to consider – and as Mik pointed out there are issues like body temperature which don’t affect parents with pushchairs but make it harder for a disabled passenger to travel…
(Continued from other post) I am not a huge fan of Piers but I quite liked him on this one too! #KCACOLS
He doesn’t like pushchairs does he!!
Well done for actually going on, I’d have been too nervous! It’s a right pain bussing with a buggy. I only buy terrible cars because I never have much money but need a car for my normal tasks so there have been lots of occasions where I’ve had a buggy and a child on the bus.
Once I got on and was forced to fold it down only to see the other buggy that had been allowed to stay upright contained shopping and the three year old that belonged in it was sat next to his dad while his mum was texting. I don’t understand why they were’s asked to fold their’s down. I’ve been asked to before and if I’m nearish to my destination I’ve got off the bus before to let another buggy on!
#KCACOLS
I’ve seen buggies containing nothing but shopping so many times – so annoying!!
What fun! Sounds like a great experience.
Yes it was!!
continued from other comment forgot to say #KCACOLS
Thanks so much for popping over x
how exciting and pleased it went well for you! I don’t think id want to get into a debate with Piers!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday!
I must admit I had my reservations when I got the call…
What a great opportunity! Great to have a chance to voice your opinion and it sounds as though you excelled. #KCACOLS
Not sure excelled is the word but it went well which is the main thing!
Well done, a scary experience in the spotlight but for a great reason and a good debate! Would love the opportunity to be on the TV – I did it once on a quiz show and having my hair and make-up done was such a luxury! #KCACOLS
I bet going on a quiz show was fun!
This whole topic is absolutely ridiculous and really just unnecessary! Why is it a case of us v them and why isn’t it just first come first served? I have a toddler and baby and if I was on my own it wouldn’t be possible for me to fold up the double buggy (which isn’t even that big!) and hold both children. I would happily move into the aisle for somebody else that needed the space regardless of whether it’s another Mother with a pram or a wheelchair user but there’s no way I would get off and take a 6 month old and 22 month old into the cold and rain when it just isn’t at all necessary. I live in Cornwall so I don’t think this is as great a problem as in cities and larger populated areas but I think the principle still stands – it isn’t a case of a mother being ignorant, it’s a case of protecting a defenceless child who really should have the same rights as a vulnerable wheelchair user. It really makes me mad that there’s even going to be a law stating a baby is less important and less vulnerable than somebody in a wheelchair when they aren’t. What happened to equality and everyone wanting to be equal?! Great job on tv by the way π # KCACOLS
#familyfun
I agree it shouldn’t be a case of parents vs wheelchair users – it’s a shame that’s how it’s turned out…
Visiting you again and I have also seen the video, you did so well!
Mainy
#KCACOLS
Thanks so much!x
Hi Natalie, how exciting! I ‘d have been petrified especially as Piers can be a bit ‘clever’ at times. It is important that people speak out about issues that affect us all, but it should be able to be done without the fear of being trolled or bullied by ignorant people. Well done you!
xx
Yes that’s very true…
This is brilliant well done! I think I’d be too scared to sit near Piers Morgan! #KCACOLS
It honestly wasn’t that bad!
Wow well done! You came across really well and professional. I think I’d have thrown something at Peirs! #familyfun
I completely understand why you were nervous, it would be daunting enough even if it hadn’t been part of a debate. Piers Morgan is a scary chap!! Glad it went well for you! #KCACOLS
So am I! It could have gone horribly wrong!
You are a rock star! Good for you for having the guts to speak your mind. π
#FamilyFun
Thank you!
Very cool. Good for you for going through with it even though you’ve had some grief. I live in the middle of no where with an average bus service but I always fold up the buggy if my mate Steve is on board. It takes time but he needs the wheelchair seat and I don’t. I can fold it up and all the stuff attached to it can be moved. #kcacols
Good for you – more parents should think this way!
Well done! You did really well! You were very brave to sit that close to Piers Morgan!!
#KCACOLS
Thank you! It wasn’t that bad!
Oh Wow! How exciting being on television.. of course a wheel chair user is important and needs anything to make travelling around easier. But parents with prams should certainly have rights, it’s an absolute nightmare folding a pram down and with a baby, toddler and a ton of bags it’s next to impossible. I also find people are slow to help as well when they see you struggling. x #KCACOLS
I know, many people just look the other way…