Ex-Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall has cancelled a takeover of his Twitter account by an advocate for Adult Babies (also known as Diaper Lovers).
From what I can gather Adult Babies is a phenomenon whereby grown adults can dress up like babies and act like them for 'therapeutic' purposes.
Grace Rogers, the woman who was set to take over Southall's account, runs an adult baby nursery whereby she purports to "provide a nurturing, therapeutic environment for littles (people who avail of her services) to experience their little side and perhaps address formative trauma. This is a safe space where healthy boundaries are respected. MG’s (Mummy Grace's) is not a sexual service."
Southall has previously used his social media accounts to engage the public on such topics as prostitution, LGBT issues and suicide. He has 144 thousand followers and regularly lets organisations take over his Twitter account in order inform the public on a particular topic he feels needs a platform, but following backlash online, the former Wales stopper has announced that the Adult Babies takeover is no more:
The adult babies takeover is off
Goodbye— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) August 15, 2018
The criticism about having Grace Rogers on to talk about the phenomenon mainly concerned people regarding Adult Babies as some sort of fetish, and deeming it not worthy of being given a platform by Southall:
You give platforms to help RAISE voices of those not heard, adult baby?? This fetish/porn really needs a platform? How about #FGM ? How about #ScotlandRapeCrisisCentre ? How about #WomensRights ?
— ?Hobgoblin? (@Pink_Babe) August 15, 2018
Nev I'm not so sure this is a great idea. This is not the same as social justice causes.
— Natalie (@Transsomething) August 15, 2018
nev this is a bad idea
— hob’s joke device wife (@mama_tuna) August 15, 2018
Before making the decision to cancel the takeover, The 59-year-old tried to explain the purpose of doing the takeover and the merits of Adult Babies/Diaper Lovers:
Please read this carefully
1/3@ABMummyGrace
Deals with people who have had trauma in their lives
Lots are top of their profession— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) August 15, 2018
2/3@ABMummyGrace
Is non sexual
Non fetish
It is a therapy— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) August 15, 2018
3/3
people are scared to admit to being adult babies because of stigma around it
Grace uses love ,respect,kindness and god technique s to help them
It may be strange to a lot of people that they do what they do but if it helps them cope who am I to judge— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) August 15, 2018
If you're still confused about what the hell Adult Babies are then here's an excerpt of some of the FAQs about the practice found on Mummy Grace's website:
What to expect...
Q I want to be punished. Is that something Mummy Grace can help with?
A No. If 'discipline' is what you seek it sounds like you are searching for BDSM. That is not is what is provided here. However, if you would like help in accepting your little side, or help in dealing with guilt or shame about having a little side, then perhaps a visit may be helpful. Contact me to start a conversation about whether a visit is the right thing for you.
Q Will you potty train me?
A No. This is not something I can help with.
Q Can you adopt me?
A No. I cannot adopt you, that is beyond the bounds of what I offer.
Q I would like Mummy to play with my winky. Is that something MG will do for me?
A No. I provide a nurturing, therapeutic environment for littles to experience their little side and perhaps address formative trauma. This is a safe space where healthy boundaries are respected. MG's is not a sexual service.
Q Can I mess my nappy, Mummy?
A You may, and it may help to know that you don't have to wet or mess. It's about helping connect to your little 'configuration'.
Q Will you breastfeed me?
A No, that is not something I offer. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have warm bottles and shungglty-time.
For what its worth I think it would have made a great takeover.