A 13-year-old with a lifelong progressive condition has described how barriers for wheelchair users means he can't even play at his local park - and how he's determined to change things for others like him.
Schoolboy Seth Burke, from Dinas Powys, is Ty Hafan's first member of the Welsh Youth Parliament and last week gave his first speech about inclusivity and the difficulties he faces accessing public places as a wheelchair user.
The inspirational 13-year-old suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and was diagnosed at just six weeks old, but has never let his condition hold him back.
In Seth's first speech to the Welsh Youth Parliament his inspiring speech received great feedback online for discussing the issues that people who use wheelchairs face, and his fight for change.
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During his speech, Seth explained: "Being a wheelchair user has lot of challenges particularly getting to and from places. Let me give you an example of going to my local park. I leave my house and have to drive on the road because the pavement is narrow and uneven. When back on the pavement I have to cross a number of roads, some with dropped kerbs and some without. Sometimes I cannot use the dropped kerbs or pavements because cars are parked on them blocking my access.
"When I finally make it to the play park there is nothing for me to do except watch other children play.
"If I wanted to go on a trip to Cardiff I could catch the train but can't catch it from home because there is no access from the other platform. Using taxis is a real struggle and once I was taken in to Cardiff but refused a trip home."
Seth said challenges that are "particular issues in public spaces are heavy doors and disabled toilets without equipment or space for a disabled person to use."
A short clip of Seth's speech that he shared on Twitter that has been viewed more than 21,000 times.
In it, he said: "Being a disabled person should not preclude me and others like me from being able to enjoy things that young people like to do such as going to the park, the shop or eating a meal out.
"I would like to see full and equal access to all aspects of modern life including all buildings, shops, schools, restaurants and public transport.
"I hope you will help to support me in this and together we can keep Wales wheeling forwards."
You can watch the speech here:
The progressive muscle-weakening condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) leads to difficulties with movement, but Seth is now whizzing around in his powerchair and hoping to make Wales a much more inclusive place for all.
When we spoke to Seth back in December he said that his priorities as a Welsh Youth Parliament Member were:
- Improving accessibility to public spaces for people with disabilities, mums with buggies and old aged people
- Protecting our environment and natural world
- Tackling online bullying
- Improving mental health support for children and young people
- Promoting physical activity in children and young people
You can watch the full meeting of the first Welsh Youth Parliament on February 19 here.
Seth was announced as Ty Hafan's first member of the Welsh Youth Parliament back on December 1 as part of 60 young people who will discuss things that are happening in Wales, and provide a platform to amplify the voice of children, for their future.
40 of those children were elected by their constituency and 20 were elected by partner organisations, which ensures there is equal representation from a diverse group of young people in Wales, so that everyone has a voice.
Ty Hafan has been a massive support system for Seth and his family and they have been using their respite services since he was seven years old.
The year eight pupil was honoured to be asked by Ty Hafan to put forward his manifesto, and is passionate about helping other people in the community.
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