Category Archives: autism

‘Life as a carer can be a constant battle’

May 30, 2013   autism, Carers, epilepsy

‘Life as a carer can be a constant battle’

Thursday, May 30, 2013

By MICHELLE CHOW

HUSBAND and wife Stuart and Helen McIntosh are a couple who truly know the meaning of the vow ‘in sickness and in health’.

While Helen suffers from epilepsy, her husband Stuart is wheelchair-bound following a fall at work.

  1. CARERS: Stuart and Helen McIntosh. Picture: Chris Huthwaite

    CARERS: Stuart and Helen McIntosh. Picture: Chris Huthwaite

The Newcastle couple are not only carers for each other but also help to take care of their two sons, who have disorders on the Autism spectrum.

Now they have both been nominated for the Sentinel’s Our Heroes Awards in the Adult Carer of the Year category.

Stuart, aged 48, of Seabridge Lane, said: “I was working as a production manager for a pottery firm about 20 years ago when I fell and severely damaged my ankle.

“Because I couldn’t stand up for long periods, I got a job as a bus driver.

“However, in the end, I had to leave my job to look after Helen and the boys.

“Now, I help to look after her and she helps to look after me.

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Parents and carers write to Queen over Birmingham skills centre closure threat

May 1, 2013   autism, Carers, learning difficulties, ukcuts

Outcry over city council funding threat to Forward 4 Work in Inkerman Street, Nechells

 

Karen Sawtell with her son Andrew Sawtell and Brian Herriott (left), chairman of the group
Karen Sawtell with her son Andrew Sawtell and Brian Herriott (left), chairman of the group

 

Angry parents and carers have written to the Queen in a desperate battle to save a Birmingham skills centre for adults with learning difficulties that faces the council axe.

Staff at Forward 4 Work in Inkerman Street, Nechells , have already been offered voluntary redundancy as the authority continues to slash costs across the city.

The centre, opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1981, provides vital training to help people with conditions including autism and Down syndrome into work.

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Autism-Friendly Panto Performance Confirmed

April 4, 2013   autism, Carers, Norfolk, special needs

Theatregoers with special needs and their families are getting the chance to attend a special performance of the pantomime.
 
Producers of this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal festive spectacular Cinderella have given the green light to a relaxed performance at 5.30pm on Wednesday January 15 next year.
 
While the show itself will be the same as the rest of the performances, there will be a number of special facilities specifically for theatre-goers with autism, their families and friends, and anyone else who prefers to attend a more relaxed show.
 
These include:

  • A more relaxed atmosphere meaning patrons can move around, and enter and leave as they wish through the show.
  • A break-out room where patrons can take a break from the show.
  • The auditorium lights will remain on a low-level throughout the performance
  • A specially-extended interval of 30 minutes
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