Monthly Archives: June 2012
The autism diagnosis that took half a century
It took 50 years for doctors to diagnose son with autism
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Sheila Baker said it took 50 years for doctors to diagnose her son with autism.
Sheila, aged 75, of Whitleigh, cares for her son Paul and daughter Catherine around the clock. Both are in their 50s and have learning disabilities.
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FAMILY: Sheila and Bryan Baker with children Paul (r) and Catherine. Below left: Paul aged about seven or eight. Below right: Paul getting his gold medal in the Isle of Wight Special Olympics in 1987 (men’s 400 metres)
An earlier diagnosis may have helped other people understand and manage Paul’s condition, said Sheila.
The mum of six told her family’s story to raise awareness of a new Plymouth support group launched to help carers of people with autism (see panel).
Understanding of the lifelong disability, which affects how people communicate and interact, has changed dramatically in the past century.
Paul was diagnosed as ‘mentally handicapped’, a term no longer used, when he was four years old.
Creative Carers Group by the BBC
Family Carers invited to make arts and crafts to take home
THU 7 JUN
FREE
Creative Carers Group
Nursteed Centre, Devizes
Run by: Carer Support Wiltshire
Come along and make some lovely arts and crafts with us to take home!
09:30–12:30
Suitable for 18+
Amenities available at this location:
The Creative Carers group is a time out opportunity open to all unpaid Carers living in Wiltshire.
An unpaid carer is someone giving help and support to a relative or friend who cannot manage without their help due to age, physical or mental illness, substance misuse, eating disorder or disability.
The creative group hosted by the charity Carer Support Wiltshire meets regularly to give carers someone time out from their caring role.
June 6th marks 1year since Tommy launched dementia campaign
Dementia awareness thinking about walking Glasgow to London next year to collect more life stories
http://youtu.be/DiClVNuaj9Q
Last year I launched my campaign with a walk round Scottish cities to raise awareness and collect life stories. I have been overwhelmed by the amazing response to this campaign ,I am thinking about walking from Glasgow to London next June to raise awareness and collect more life stories or even a relay of carers walking through towns and cities much like the Olympic torch handing over letters and life stories to the next town /city.
