Henry is seven Parts 1-7

[Les Lea]

Part 6

Fame

Thomas Peake couldn’t have been more correct if he’d written the script himself. The story ran in the following morning’s edition of the Echo and by evening the office and Saint Clare’s had received new donations by the ton. As he predicted, Henry’s story of the nappy challenge and what he did so his friends didn’t feel self-conscious, had resonated with the newspaper’s readers.

Vast amounts of money were being pledged, sponsors were coming forward and the Echo even took on someone just to deal with all the calls and people turning up at the office to donate something.

Henry’s selfless act was a major talking point and one taken up by a national newspaper.

Of course, as Thomas Peake knew, it was the initial image that sold the story and, at the end of the latest piece he’d added a rear-view photo of Henry from the Funday. It was another cute image, this time of his slightly sagging nappy, his bucket and the words on the back of his t-shirt ‘ tank u’. Once the national paper ran with the complete story and images, the donations from around the country, and some from overseas, the charity began to realise they might achieve their ambitions sooner rather than later.

Back in his hometown Henry suddenly found he had problem. Though he may not have wanted to be called ‘The Boy in a Nappy’, that’s just how he was being described.

Every reference or donation was aimed at ‘The Boy in a Nappy’. Henry didn’t appear to have a name, just a title, even the hashtag on Twitter was #boyinanappy. The thing was; everyone was talking about him and that image. People who had probably never thought about charity were being arm-twisted into giving something because of this selfless little boy... the Boy in the Nappy.

Not only that, but the Echo reported that one individual was offering a donation to the cause as long as Henry continued wearing a nappy 24/7.

This was not a small amount and once it became known that the offer had come from Brendan Lee Cooper, quite a few other famous people got on-board and offered more contributions with the same condition, he had to remain wearing a nappy.

At first it appeared as if this was all a joke but, as the amount of pledged money built up, it became impossible to ignore.

#

Brendan Lee Cooper had issued a statement on Facebook and Twitter about the Funday and his position as patron at the hospice. In the message, sent to well over a million of his followers, he commented on the photograph saying what a “...brave and thoughtful young lad he was...” He also went on to say the reason he wanted to sponsor Henry to keep wearing a nappy was simply because he couldn’t think of a better role-model, to all those who had to wear protection but felt victimised because of it, than the selfless seven year old.

He encouraged his fans to ‘dig deep’ if they were able but ‘offer support’ in any way they could to all those in hospitals and hospices everywhere. #boyinanappy

#

Away from the hospital and out playing with his school friends Henry had become a minor celebrity. They all knew about the challenge, they’d all seen the photograph and everyone had read the story, the trouble was, they now expected him to wear a nappy all the time. Even when visiting his mate’s homes it appeared that each member of the family wanted to check, by patting his bottom, to see if he was well-padded. They all appeared incredibly disappointed since he’d returned to wearing underpants.

To begin with he took it good-naturedly but when strangers started doing it in the street he got a bit self-conscious. At the time he knew little about the people who wanted to sponsor him to be protected full time but eventually that news trickled down to his ears.

It had been as he visited Kevin and the gang at the hospice that he heard the rumour about the sponsorship deal. The kids seemed to know about it and were talking as if it was a done deal, not even a rumour. When pressed, Kevin had to admit it was only that morning the gossip mill had been in full flow and because of all the famous personalities that were rumoured to be involved, the hospital execs expected to have its new extension started in a matter of months.

Henry wasn’t pleased and wondered why neither his mother nor Ellie had mentioned any of it.

#

Thomas Peake was overjoyed with the reaction to the story but, at the request of Debra, had not gone into any detail about the response with Henry. He didn’t know that thousands and thousands of pounds had been added to the fund-raising total. He also didn’t know about the piles of clothing and toys that, over the past few days, were amassing at the Echo’s office aimed at ‘the Boy in the Nappy’. It appeared that not everyone was bothered about the hospice but a huge number were worried about a little boy not having enough nappies to change into... it was as if two charitable causes were being run at the same time.

(Debra had already stashed away the initial bundle Mr Peake had brought with him to the interview. Obviously he had hoped to get Henry to wear some of it but the boy had made it very clear that wasn’t going to happen. Of course, his mother, ever hopeful of getting her baby boy back, clung on to it all “Just in case” she told herself.)

Debra had simply not believed the stories of all the celebrities wanting to sponsor Henry to wear a nappy 24/7; she thought it was just some kind of weird hoax. However, as the guaranteed sums of money escalated beyond a joke she had to take it more seriously. The newspaper was desperate to relate this extra bit of the story but because of a reticence to inflict further embarrassment on her son (even though the whole idea appealed to her) Mr Peake held back.

However, the pressure was mounting and Ellie was being gently persuaded by the charity committee at the hospice to get her brother to comply. Meanwhile, because it was such a terrific story, the editor was telling Debra that they were going to publish but needed an answer as to whether Henry would agree. Mr Peake pointed out that people, who had invested in sending in vast donations, would probably feel let down if her son didn’t take up this extra fund-raising challenge.

To be honest she could see this as something positive for the hospice and although desperately wanting Henry to “go with the flow” (as Thomas Peake had flippantly enthused) knew that Henry himself was happy about the return to wearing briefs. In fact, once he was out of the night time nappy that Carmen witnessed had vowed to his mum he’d never make that mistake again.

#

When his mother picked him up from the hospital Henry wanted answers, thankfully his mother had decided on speaking to him about all that had been going on. She was honest, telling him she herself hadn’t believed the offers and it was only now, with the paper about to print the story, that it had become serious.

Henry wanted to be angry with her but realised she’d been trying to shield him from further publicity but, as everyone in the hospice knew about it, he had some serious thinking to do. When Ellie came home they all sat down to discuss it.

Henry told them the kids at the hospice had thought it was a done deal and the committee were ready to bring the builders in to start on the extension. Ellie had to agree that the way things were being talked about the finances were going to hit the target soon. However, in all honesty, she had to admit, the amount Henry’s nappy sponsors were offering would make that happen a lot sooner.

Debra told them about the impending publication by the Echo and that, as the editor said, it would look better if Henry was on board with the idea then everyone would be happy.

The seven year old pointed out that wasn’t true. #boyinanappy

#

The pros and cons were discussed and young Henry had a surprising grasp on the implications.

The youngster was being drawn into something he saw he would have no control over but decided, albeit hesitantly, to go along with it anyway.  He understood it would be terrific if more terminal kids could be cared for, so that was a good thing. It might also be useful to raise awareness about those who had no choice but to wear protection and shouldn’t be side-lined because of it. The pros seemed to out-stack the cons.

In fact, the main con was that Henry would be in a nappy all the time but, as Debra cleverly pointed out, his friend Kevin and quite a number of other youngsters at the hospice, and around the country, would be similarly dressed because they had to, whilst Henry would be doing so because he wanted to.

Then there was another element no one seemed to have thought about; with such large amounts of money being suggested surely someone would need to monitor whether he wore a nappy or not?

His mother said that as her part in all this, and despite her own hectic work schedule, she would take on the responsibility of making sure he was well-padded each day and that Henry would have no problems to deal with, she would sort everything out. Ellie said of course she’d do her bit when she could and that between them all he needed to do was wear what he was put in.

Regardless of all the extra work this would entail for everyone Henry seemed relieved that his family was showing such support though wondered if he’d have to report to some independent person on a daily basis.

After a call to the Echo and a discussion between them, the charity and the sponsors, it was agreed that they trusted Henry completely. If he said he’d wear a nappy 24/7 then they’d believe him. There was an unwritten, though implied, threat that if he was found to be cheating, the money might be forfeit.

As it was Mr Peake had found someone to sponsor the entire provision of products, which together with all the stuff that had already been donated, meant that little Henry was going to be extremely well-padded for the duration of the challenge.

There were four weeks left of the summer break before a new school term began so, after agreement within the family and a long talk with Kevin (who reiterated that Henry would never return to briefs once he’d enjoyed the soft, thick padding of a nappy for such a length of time), agreed to do it for that length of time.

“I don’t think I have an option,” said Henry with a resigned shrug of the shoulders.

#boyinanappy

#

“How can we be sure that those who say they’re happy to sponsor this event will actually cough up the promised money in the end?”

It was Ellie who asked the question.

Whereas Debra had been getting very excited about all the lovely nappy changes she was looking forward to, it was her daughter who voiced a cautionary note.

Henry was looking through the piles of nappies and stuff that now seemed to occupy every surface of the Warren home.

“We don’t want Henry here to go through all that for nothing so, if...”

Her mother interrupted.

“Do we really want to get bogged down in this kind of worry?”

Ellie hugged a now concerned looking Henry to her side.

“I’m only thinking of Henry.”

“Yes, we all are sweetie but let’s leave the money and such stuff to the Echo and Saint Clare’s to sort out... I think Henry has enough to think about without worrying about that... don’t you?”

It was true. Once they started to over-think, scrutinise, worry and fret over everything, it would simply become a terrible experience. Their mother was correct; let others worry about all that. They should just concentrate on their side of the bargain and that was to make sure Henry was happy and organised for what he had to wear every day.

#

The story ran the next day. A list of sponsors and some of the sums of money promised was published alongside of a photo of Henry, wearing a thick nappy, holding a pile of disposables in his right hand and a pile of plastic pants in the other.

There was also a rather cheeky little interview that ran alongside the item where Henry said he wished he’d never started this and blamed Kevin for issuing the challenge and beginning this unbelievable ball rolling. Thankfully, Kevin would be joining him in this particular project and would also be wearing nappies 24/7 (of course Kevin had no choice in the matter, he had to wear them). It was a joke which Kevin thought was hilarious.

There were also messages of support from sponsors and the letters page was full of incredible feedback and encouragement from the public. #boyinanappy

Meanwhile, despite his reluctance, and whilst wearing his briefs for the last time, the two boys discussed this extension to their challenge. Kevin came up with an idea so that, at least one point in the process, Henry need not feel he was doing all this alone.

The ten year old put forward a proposal that, at the end of Henry’s sponsored time in nappies, the charity should hold a huge final fund-raising event. This would entail a sponsored 10km walk around the hospice but everyone had to wear protection to take part.

In theory at least ‘Liam’s 10km Nappy Walk’ was born.

#

Not surprisingly Thomas Peake loved the concept but doubted that the charity would be able to organise such an event so rapidly. However, to keep the story going, he suggested the paper would act as sponsors and quickly got one of the major incontinence product manufacturers to add their name to the list of co-sponsors.

Saint Clare’s charity committee also thought the suggestion was a great idea but, to be honest, simply saw ‘£’ signs and their fund growing rapidly. They never gave much thought to either Henry or Kevin who were the actual instigators of the charity’s current run of good fortune. They were happy to sit back and just watch the money come rolling in.

However, until the various interested parties could make some decisions, the proposed run wasn’t going to be officially announced.

This lead to a small problem.

#

Such was the newsworthiness of the latest development in the story Henry and his mother had been invited onto a local TV news show to explain why he was now wearing a nappy all the time. Debra had taken great delight in getting him ready making sure he wore a thickly padded nappy, covered by a pair of clear vinyl pants and wearing a onesie with snaps between his legs. She had reminded her son that this would keep everything held close and prevent any tell-tale sagging. Although it might be bulky under his shorts, it shouldn’t show below them.

He didn’t like this slight change to the way he wore a nappy but realised that his mother might just know better than him about such things. Also, she reminded him that some other patients, from babies to teenagers at the hospice, wore them so there was no reason for him to feel anxious.

Subsequently, because of that particular argument he didn’t put up much of a fight when each morning she would happily get all his stuff ready and lovingly apply the various creams and powder. She told him that as he was wearing a nappy, and to prevent it all coming loose by constantly pinning and unpinning, he should use it for what it was designed for like Kevin had to. This was something Henry didn’t want to do but saw the sense in what his mother stated.

There was no doubt about just how padded Henry was and the cameras picked up on the bulk in his shorts. The interviewer was very nice and supportive but like so many older people talked down to Henry which really annoyed the boy.

During the interview Henry gave credit for the entire thing to Kevin and let the cat out of the bag about the proposed run. He even inferred that all the famous sponsors would no doubt be turning up to run in nappies to show their support. He also hoped that the interviewer, who had spoken such encouragement, would also be taking part. She was left looking less than thrilled at the prospect.

The studio’s switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree with people wanting to know when and how they could take part.

The Echo and Saint Clare’s switchboards were also inundated with requests for application forms and Brendan Lee Cooper was forced to change his initial reluctance to being involved to one of support and that he’d definitely be taking part.

#

Debra and Ellie had come to some sort of agreement about the way Henry should be dressed. She inferred that the sponsors would want him to wear certain clothes and have a certain amount of visibility. She also thought that because of the kindness of those who sent in particular items for the ‘Boy in a Nappy’ to wear, it would be nice if he did. She argued that if a photograph was taken, and on the off chance they saw him wearing it, it would be good and encouraging for all concerned.

So, with the nappy sponsors insisting that their products were seen and in any interview Henry was to speak in positive tones about them, the scene was set for our padded hero. This turned out easier than Henry imagined because Kevin had been correct, he soon wore a nappy with the ease and confidence of someone who’d had to wear one all their life. Kevin had a smug knowing look on his face every time he met up with his well-padded mate. #boyinanappy

#

...to be continued

[babycheryl]

super new chapter I hope he will have other baby items to sponsor, bibs dummies and bottles.

[Eagle0769]

So happy this is back.

Debra's part in this seems to be to get her little baby boy back not only the part were the hospice will be getting

an extension added.

I hope so because I love a story that has love in it.

[wetste]

Love love LOVE IT thank yooou

[Les Lea]

Really, really really... thank you I'm so pleased Henry's tale has people wanting more.

 

[Les Lea]

Part 7

 

1247

 

The plans for ‘Liam’s 10km Nappy Walk’ were put into place surprisingly quickly. It was decided that the fields around the hospice couldn’t contain the numbers that were expected to take part so between the police, the Council and the committee, it was obvious that the race/walk should start elsewhere and finish in the hospital grounds.

 

Fifty Acre Park was designated the assembly and start point, which was conveniently situated just over nine miles from the hospital. A direct road linked the two places so closures and diversions could be kept to a minimum. The event suddenly had a date and time - Sunday 1^st October, The Echo said that all applications to take part had to be registered, with a minimum £5 entry fee and only those with an official registered number would be allowed to participate.

The police had put a maximum number allowed to compete but it was grossly over-subscribed. Those who were in it to raise more money for Saint Clare’s were given priority, whilst sponsorship from local businesses added a great deal to the charity’s coffers.

Branding was going to be everywhere and it looked like it might become as big an event as the Funday.

It ended up bigger; with all the merchandising and business opportunities that entailed.

#

Henry had thrown himself into his month of sponsored nappy wearing, both at school and out and about, he wore all the time. Now everyone knew the reason he was wearing them any churlish or childish comments sounded more like sour grapes than a put down. Everywhere he went applause followed him, it became hard to say who the most popular local personality was – handsome TV star Brendan Lee Cooper or nappy-wearing seven year old Henry Warren?

Both his mother and sister loved dressing up their little hero who took it in his stride when they improvised a bit with the clothes he’d been given. Loads of free stuff had been delivered to the Warren’s home and Debra was convinced they’d better get Henry into as much of it as possible. Sometimes he waddled out the house with padding so thick he wondered if they’d gone too far. However, his mum kept insisting that the suppliers (and sponsors) had various requirements so she was just following their instructions.

Of course she loved every minute of it and cherished getting Henry ready for bed in the thickest fabric nappies available. Since that first night, when Mrs Parkhurst had seen him wearing padding and had fallen asleep dressed that way, he actually didn’t mind. He’d been surprised he could sleep with such bulk fastened around him but he’d slept well, it was very snug and he quite liked the comforting sensation it had given.

Since his mother had told him to use the nappy to save on all the re-taping or re-pinning he’d often be wet for some time. This gave her the excuse to make sure both his day time and night time nappy was well-padded... so it held more and thus needed fewer changes.  

He did baulk at using a dummy or a baby’s bottle, which his mother had hoped to convince him to try. She tried to argue that it was that image of him in a nappy and carrying a baby’s bottle that had made this so successful but she couldn’t get him to agree on that. However, he often slept with a big cuddly stuffed animal, which Debra loved to see as he drifted off to sleep, his slippery vinyl pants shining in the evening light.

In fact, that was one of the many things that she enjoyed about having her boy dressed in such a way. She thought the shimmering vinyl cover gave him an even more vulnerable look than just wearing a nappy, although in general she could never get over just how endearing the tight-fitting protection made him appear. Luckily, Ellie agreed with her mum and between them they simply encouraged Henry to “go with the flow” (as they now called it) and leave them to make the daily dress code and for him to simply wear what was given.

#

When the month of wearing nappies 24/7 first started Henry was adamant that he should only wear certain things and seemed determined not to be seen in anything outrageous. It only took a couple of days for his mum and Ellie holding stuff up and saying how wonderful he’d look in this, that or the other, for him to realise it was no good fighting them.

In some ways it was unlike Henry to be so passive. He didn’t always do as his mum told him and although he loved her and his sister to bits, it wasn’t unknown for him to throw the occasional temper tantrum. However, these were few and far between and, though he might not have liked a great deal of what he was forced to wear, he knew it was for a higher cause.

This had come about when once, when he’d been in a bit of a strop about a colourful childish onesie Debra had fastened in place, she was annoyed at his fussing.  To make him stop she simply said that no doubt Liam wished he’d got a chance to worry about what he wore. This immediately stopped Henry thinking of himself and there were no more strops of any kind from that moment on. He simply let his mum and sister get on with it... she’d shamelessly made her young son feel guilty.

Debra was in her element. There were a number of times when she could hardly hold back the tears of love she felt for her little boy. There were occasions, now he wasn’t so fussy, when she had him all cleaned up and wearing a lovely, soft, thick disposable just like when he was two. Exactly like then, he’d be laid out on the bed, legs wide with the fluffy white padding forcing them apart ready for his plastic pants and with a thin, well-made, white cotton onesie pulled over his head ready to be fastened into place. Then his eyes would be staring lovingly up at her whilst he sucked on his thumb or nursed on a dummy before the press-studs made a satisfying snap as they held his latest baby protection in place. There was no thumb sucking these days but she couldn’t shake that image.

Her heart was made for such moments and she took full advantage, making sure she had a wonderful mental picture of the bulky mass stored away in her brain for when all this was over and he no longer needed the nappies... or her.

He became a ‘free’ walking (or waddling) fashion model for pull-ups, disposables, all manner of fabric nappies, vinyl and rubber pants and a succession of items that certain companies were hoping to get into the shops. His initial reluctance to wear such colourful items was worn down by the constant approval he received from members of the public who just loved seeing him around town.

He wasn’t paid anything for his contribution, in fact, money for Henry was never even considered. The sponsors loved him. He was an adorable, photogenic seven year old who had captured thousands of hearts and was now being happily exploited by several manufacturers and of course, the charity he’d become so aligned with.

Although, to a certain extent, Henry was the face of the ‘Nappython’ (as some of the kids were calling it), it was perhaps inevitable that the fund-raising committee took full credit for all the effort others put into the project. In fact, the head of the charity committee was being nominated for ‘Man of the Year’ at the county’s annual business awards.

Henry never lost sight of the fact he was doing this in memory of Liam, and that the sooner they could build the extension to the hospice, the more kids in a similar situation to his friend could be helped. That was the only spur he needed to keep going. His plans for a summer playing with his friends had been usurped by this charity stunt. It had got out of hand but there was no way of reeling it back in. With his family still very much in support of the whole idea, and what it was trying to accomplish, he decided to “go with the flow” as they called it.

Kevin and the kids at the hospital all thought that ‘Nappython’ was a much better term than ‘Liam’s 10km Nappy Run’, The Echo agreed and it became known as ‘Liam’s Nappython’. Although some thought with the inclusion of ‘thon’ in its title it would be considered to be a marathon, the name stuck and the eventual ten mile course was announced.

#

All the kids in the hospital and hospice had, as a result of the publicity, become in demand. People wanted to meet them, take them out (where possible), invite them to functions etc. etc. their lives took on a different aspect to the one they’d been used to. This was seen by everyone as a fantastic bonus to the wellbeing of the young patients.

Henry and Kevin spent a lot of time together and Henry had to admit that he’d easily got used to wearing a nappy every day. Kevin had warned him about the comforting hug and security it gave him and that once his friend had got used to it, knew he wouldn’t let them go easily.

This became true when in September he started a new school term but there was still a month to go before the ‘Nappython’. He’d gone to school on that first day wearing briefs like any other kid. Unfortunately, all his mates, and even the teachers, seemed disappointed he wasn’t in his ‘trademark’ nappy. #boyinanappy

The following day, and much to his mother’s obvious pleasure, he bowed to peer pressure turning up wearing a thick nappy under his grey school shorts. The edge of a pair of nursery print vinyl pants could just be seen at certain angles.  His class mates scrabbled around him wanting to get a better look at what he was wearing... most thought it was ‘cool’. Those who took an alternative, negative view, were in the minority and found their voice being drowned out by those who were very much supportive of what the seven year old was doing.

Kids in the playground joked about the soft rustling sound he made as he passed by but no one was nasty about it. Approval from all levels was almost universal.

#

Debra had her son back in nappies and couldn’t have been more pleased because now it was school nights, was able to insist on an earlier bedtime and stronger protection. This was down to the fact that her little boy had returned to wetting in his sleep. She didn’t mind as it appeared that Henry had simply become used to it so the night time nappy actually never stopped. It also didn’t help that she let him drink as much as he liked before bed... and he just loved his nightly milky treat.

If he was awake he laid there until either mum or Ellie came to sort him out, the comfort from the thick sodden padding not giving him a moment’s worry. His daily clean-up operation started early in the morning but by the time he entered the classroom he was nicely padded and smelling sweetly.

Kevin was right; a fresh dry nappy was something to look forward to.

Henry’s fame was spreading as more and more news outlets latched onto this selfless and committed seven year old doing such a bizarre thing in memory of his dead friend. It was amazing the messages he was getting from around the world and even more offers arrived needing to be considered. One of these was for Henry to become the face of a juvenile disposable from a top brand manufacturer based in the USA. This time money was talked about and Debra was being pressured to sign a contract whilst her son was still ‘flavour of the week’.

It wasn’t a large sum but one that, if put away until Henry reached the age of majority, would provide a tidy little nest egg for the lad. At first he wasn’t keen on the idea but his mum argued that he didn’t really have to do anything, as it was all about image, and that at least he’d be able to look back and know he’d got something out of it all.

Henry simply said that he hoped a new wing on the hospice would do that. His mum, whilst she still thought of him as her cute little baby boy was, and not for the first time, surprised at the sophistication and sense her seven year old constantly brought to the proceedings.

However, not seeing it as a problem he agreed and his mum signed the contract which made Henry the face of ‘Diapers for the In-B-tweenies’.

The following Saturday, he was whisked to a production studio in the capital where he made a number of short commercials and had a photoshoot of him wearing the disposable. After all the time he’d now spent wearing nappies he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he’d be and the American director and British commercial manager congratulated Debra on having a son who was both photogenic and a pleasure to work with. It was a fantastic success although the advert was never seen in the UK.

#

1247

 

 

 

This was my number – 1247.

The number I was given to take part in Liam’s Nappython in aid of Saint Clare’s Hospital and Hospice Fund (registered Charity No 78923455B).

I can’t quite express how excited I was to receive this piece of information and how my anticipation grew with each passing day leading up to the event.

I need to confess something here.

Not everything I’ve written is true.

I mean the names are true. The challenge was true. The Nappython took place but, where I was ignorant of the true information, I made it up.

I mean, I’ve tried to be as accurate as possible. I’ve read all the articles, I’ve watched all the TV reports and interviews but I never actually met the hero of the moment, Henry.

I contribute to the TV, Theatre and Movie reviews section for The Echo, so know Thomas particularly well and it was from him, as one of the main characters in how all this came about, that I gleaned most of my information.

He was the one who informed me that quite a bit of Henry’s enthusiasm for all this came from his mother. She had a zeal about the entire project and it was her who came up with the idea that the sponsors insisted he wear certain things - this was untrue, the impetus came from her.

I also can’t stress enough how, from the first report that hit the paper about this incredible, nappy-wearing seven year old, how the ABDL sites I’m a member of took up the gossip, conjecture and hopes that little boy engendered in each one of us. He set our imaginations on fire. #boyinanappy

Blogs and sites carried opinions and quite often wrote their own narrative. I am beholden to these people for some of the ideas I’ve used here when I didn’t have a clue as to what actually happened. I hope I can’t be accused of plagiarism but they certainly gave my creativity a boost when needed.

I’ve been a Nappy Lover (Diaper Lover to our American friends) since I was twelve. The urge struck me then, and although my usage was minimal, it never left me. When I was working, and could afford to wear full time, that’s exactly what happened and, although I wasn’t then out and proud about it, I did and do wear 24/7.

#

When the 1^st October came around I can’t explain the eagerness I felt to get to the park and join my fellow aficionados. The weather promised to stay fine and warm and there had been a general buzz of excitement in the town all week.

At around 7am my neighbour told me that she’d already noticed a number of nappy-clad people congregating at the park where she walked her dog. As the event wasn’t scheduled to start until 10.30 I thought these people must be very keen. I myself hadn’t got ready at that time but admit had planned what I was going to be wearing for quite some time.

I had a lovely, thick fleecy terry nappy with three booster pads tightly pinned in place, my exceptionally crinkly see-thru plastic pants moulded themselves around the full contours and I wore a pink t-shirt that simply advertised Pampers.

In the park I heard a lady saying that she had her children in nappies until they were ten years old... and it is from her I added the only fictional character in my piece, Mrs Parkhurst.

Once at the park I couldn’t believe the numbers of people, 80% of whom were in nappies of one kind or another, there must have been thousands and I guess not all of them were registered to run. I spotted certain t-shirts that I knew were only available from particular ABDL sites, some even had their web address under them.

Cars and vans were pulling up full of packages of disposables in all colours and sizes, which they were flogging. There were plenty of official stalls but where there’s a market, there’s an opportunist.

I was impressed by the people that had gone to exceptional lengths to be involved; several couples were acting as nanny and baby, complete with prams and push-chairs. There were two or three huge inflatable babies, crawling babies and some with reins held by mummies or daddies (or masters or mistresses). There were several who had taken Henry’s ‘collector’s uniform’ as a blueprint and versions of him could be seen darting all over the event.

Dummies, bibs, bonnets, infantile clothes, baby’s bottles, baby food, toys were everywhere and stalls were doing fantastic business selling all this stuff to those who hadn’t actually brought it with them.

Some clever entrepreneur had t-shirts made with that image on the front. Whoever it was must have done a terrific trade because it was everywhere. ‘Pweeze Giv’ on the front and ‘tank u’ on the back was homage to Henry and just what he’d done for this eager and happy group of nappy wearers.

It was such a colourful cavalcade. People were undoubtedly dressing over the top and young men and women in frilly plastic pants appeared to be the norm. Even the people who’d just come to offer support (or out of curiosity) were smiling and appeared to be having a good time.

Nappies being changed al fresco were all the rage, as was the constant crinkle and rustle of plastic pants. The smell of baby powder and lotion filled the air as did the occasion whiff of urine as someone in a soggy nappy passed by.

A small fair had established itself that was aimed more at kiddies, this didn’t stop quite a number of baby-looking adults climbing into the tea cups or horses on the roundabout, and having their photograph taken.

There were male, female, old, young, fat, thin and every ethnicity, I was quite bowled over by the all-encompassing power that my (and many others) fetish could produce. Of course, not all those taking part were anything but advocates of the charity and who’d been inspired by the events of the past few months... but an awful lot were like me.

#

TV crews were following Brendan and some of his soap star mates around and I was pleased to see that he was wearing a wonderful thick plasticky disposable with space ships all over it. He was smiling a lot and having selfies taken with his fans. There were other TV cameras doing news reports, vox pops and interviews, it was all so, well, unbelievable.

It was hard to believe that this started as a result of a young boy, a seven year old boy at that, who didn’t want his friends to think he thought any less of them because they had to wear protection all the time. His solution had been simple; to wear a nappy himself to prove it. How this simple, selfless act had finally resulted in this mass of nappy-wearing folk in a park raising money for charity, was quite beyond comprehension. However, here we all were.

At 10.30 the Lord Mayor gave a little speech welcoming everyone and hoping the event would lead to raising even more funds for the charity. When he announced that Henry was going to signal the start of the race a huge cheer went up. So when he and a lad in a wheelchair, who I recognised as Kevin, took to the dais, the applause and cheering was deafening.

After the hubbub died down an air-horn indicated the start of the race. A couple of guys in front of me looked like they were running in very full nappies, I could smell the urine and only hoped that they’d put plenty of Vaseline on, otherwise they’d be badly chafed by the end.

People set off at different speeds, some running, others jogging. Most, like me, enjoying the freedom this moment had given and desperate to make it last for as long as possible, slowly waddled along.

As I moved past the dais, this was the only time I saw Henry for real. Up until that moment I’d seen his photograph of course, the one that started this whole shebang, and I’d seen him on TV but as I passed I was actually in awe of a seven year old. He was wearing  something as bulky as mine except his vinyl pants had cartoon character all over them and he was laughing, thoroughly enjoying the event and hugging his friend.

That was the first and last time I saw him.

#

I made loads of contacts that day and my number of ABDL friends has grown considerably. We may all have thought we were on the periphery of society with our particular penchant but this event proved we were definitely not alone.

I asked my editor Thomas Peake if he thought it would become an annual event like the Funday but he just shook his head.

“Without Henry the impetus would simply vanish. The story will no longer be a story and the people won’t be as engaged as they are at this moment.”

I wanted to disagree with him but realised he was talking about the public in general and not just us ABDLers.

It seemed a shame but I could see his point and I have to admit that that one day in October did an awful lot for me and I suspect quite a number of others who perhaps had never had the nerve to appear in public wearing just their protection.

I thank Henry, Kevin, Liam and all those who made it happen.... it was one fantastic, memorable day.

#

Postscript

 

The bit about Henry being signed up to be the face of some disposable manufacturer was a lie. I don’t know if that happened or not as it was just a bit of wishful thinking on my part. I hoped that such a brave and compassionate young lad made something out of what happened.

 

There is now an area around the hospice that has been screened off and it looks like work is soon to start on the second phase of the building.

 

He’d help raise quite a sum for others and I thought it would be nice if he got some financial reward as well. I wanted him to be happy and see the fruits of what he’d accomplished, if not now, then later on.

 

I also hoped that he’d be nominated as ‘Person of the Year’ but surprisingly the awards committee overlooked him.

 

I wish him luck and often wonder if in fact, like Kevin suggested, he maintained wearing a nappy for much longer?

 

I love that little guy for what he did for this town, what he did for his friends, what he did for the ABDL community (even if he wasn’t aware of that bit) and especially what he’s done for me.

 

Thanks Henry.           #anotherboyinanappy

 

[babycheryl]

Are so sweet it made me cry at the end i look down at my nappy i think i also did the run. Xx

[Les Lea]

What a fantastic reaction, thank you so much for sharing

[babycheryl]

11 minutes ago, Les Lea said:

What a fantastic reaction, thank you so much for sharing

Your writing is so good i feel i become part of your storys when reading them xx

[wetste]

That was really good. But I'm a bit confused was it based on real life events? I'm intrigued by the story now more....

[Les Lea]

That's also a terrific complement

Google can tell us most things but will a search bring up this fantastic event?

 

[Sarah Penguin]