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Milton Keynes mum makes comic conventions 'more inclusive' Milton Keynes mum makes comic conventions 'more inclusive'
(about 1 hour later)
Zoe Crofts says the events "feels like a community"Zoe Crofts says the events "feels like a community"
A mum has launched inclusive comic conventions events across the country for people with disabilities after being inspired by her son who has autism. A mum has launched inclusive comic conventions across the country for people with disabilities after being inspired by her son who is autistic.
Zoe Crofts, from Milton Keynes, founded Bolt Events and hosted her first inclusive convention in Northampton in 2022 after she felt other events were not accessible for children with hidden disabilities.Zoe Crofts, from Milton Keynes, founded Bolt Events and hosted her first inclusive convention in Northampton in 2022 after she felt other events were not accessible for children with hidden disabilities.
"I have a son who is autistic and I have always found as a parent we couldn't always do the things we wanted to do," the 48-year-old said."I have a son who is autistic and I have always found as a parent we couldn't always do the things we wanted to do," the 48-year-old said.
To make her events more accessible, they were hosted in smaller locations outside of London and designed to be held in less busy environments where individuals can enter early to adjust to their surroundings.To make her events more accessible, they were hosted in smaller locations outside of London and designed to be held in less busy environments where individuals can enter early to adjust to their surroundings.
"We would rather take less vendors and have bigger aisles so people in wheelchairs can come through," she explained."We would rather take less vendors and have bigger aisles so people in wheelchairs can come through," she explained.
"And, if you just need a time out, we will always find a room for you.""And, if you just need a time out, we will always find a room for you."
"We have just as much fun but on a smaller scale," said organiser Zoe Crofts"We have just as much fun but on a smaller scale," said organiser Zoe Crofts
In September, Nicola Nenadovic attended one of the events hosted in Bedford with her son, daughter and two nephews. In September, Nicola Nenadovic attended one of the events in Bedford with her son, daughter and two nephews.
Her 10-year-old nephew, Jack, has the rare genetic disorder KPTN syndrome, along with autism and ADHD.Her 10-year-old nephew, Jack, has the rare genetic disorder KPTN syndrome, along with autism and ADHD.
Ms Nenadovic said: "Jack finds crowded situations very scary, but he desperately wants to enjoy these things. He just struggles to understand them." Ms Nenadovic said: "Jack finds crowded situations very scary, but he desperately wants to enjoy these things. He just struggles to understand them.
"He was always really scared of people dressed up.""He was always really scared of people dressed up."
Jack's aunt said he keeps "asking when can he see Spider-Man again" Jack's aunt said he kept "asking when can he see Spider-Man again"
To help him feel more comfortable at the event, Ms Crofts explained to Jack that he had the power to control Spider-Man, Iron Man and other characters who were at the event in costume.To help him feel more comfortable at the event, Ms Crofts explained to Jack that he had the power to control Spider-Man, Iron Man and other characters who were at the event in costume.
She told all the characters to turn around and they were not allowed to look at him until he gave permission. He then walked around with his camera and took photos of all the characters until he was comfortable. She told all the characters to turn around and they were not allowed to look at him until he gave permission. He then walked around with his camera and took photos of all the characters until he was comfortable.
Ms Nenadovic said: "Zoe worked to help him feel comfortable, it was real lovely and he really enjoyed it - it was a job to get him out of there." Ms Nenadovic said: "Zoe worked to help him feel comfortable, it was real lovely and he really enjoyed it - it was a job to get him out of there.
"2024 was the first year he wanted to meet Santa and have a photo with him. This had a lot to do with the comic con event and conquering his fears there."2024 was the first year he wanted to meet Santa and have a photo with him. This had a lot to do with the comic con event and conquering his fears there.
"He keeps asking when can he see Spider-Man again.""He keeps asking when can he see Spider-Man again."
More than 30 events are scheduled for this year across the countryMore than 30 events are scheduled for this year across the country
The events featured a retro gaming zone, cosplayers, cars from films, workshops, and more than 100 exhibitor tables full of geeky memorabilia and handmade crafts.The events featured a retro gaming zone, cosplayers, cars from films, workshops, and more than 100 exhibitor tables full of geeky memorabilia and handmade crafts.
This year, Ms Crofts was scheduled to run 31 events across the country and will visit Daventry, Luton, Ipswich and Walsall.This year, Ms Crofts was scheduled to run 31 events across the country and will visit Daventry, Luton, Ipswich and Walsall.
Ms Crofts hoped her family-run events could set an example that showed conventions could be safe spaces for everybody.Ms Crofts hoped her family-run events could set an example that showed conventions could be safe spaces for everybody.
She said: "It's not just for the child; it's for the parents and the stress it causes the parents.She said: "It's not just for the child; it's for the parents and the stress it causes the parents.
They know someone has their back - if the child has an autistic meltdown, we are there to support them. "They know someone has their back - if the child has an autistic meltdown, we are there to support them.
"I want to help, I want to make it accessible for others, and I want them to have a bit of fun.""I want to help, I want to make it accessible for others, and I want them to have a bit of fun."
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