Mother's campaign for disabled children

Ms Davies was shocked by people's attitudes

A mother is campaigning for greater understanding of children with disabilities after experiencing hostility and a lack of understanding of her daughter's cerebral palsy.

She has been backed by disability campaigners, and the government has also welcomed her work.

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Sian Davies has remortgaged her house to fund a campaign to raise awareness of the needs of disabled children.

Last year her daughter Vicky, now three, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

But Ms Davies, from Whyteleafe, Surrey, says she was surprised by people's attitudes to her daughter, which were clear when she tried to find her a nursery place.

"Vicky hasn't got any special mental needs, but she has got physical needs - she can't manage stairs or steps.

"We had to find a nursery which was on the level.

"When we did find one, we were told that she was a fire hazard, which was very upsetting at the time."

The experience inspired Ms Davies to start her campaign, which has included a survey of around 600 parents of disabled children by health and education professionals.

The majority said there needed to be better information about children with disabilities.

Website

That call has been backed by the charity Scope, which has set up a website for parents.

Richard Brewster, chief executive of the charity, told the BBC: "At the moment, I am afraid, the world is still hostile to children with disabilities.

"Children with cerebral palsy are not on an equal level with their non-disabled peers."

The government has also welcomed the survey's findings.