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Joan: We were very fond of the children, we looked after them
We cared for them enormously
We had all the stages of disability
children who could barely sit up to - quite conversational, what we would call now conversational partners
I can remember the thrill, when a little girl who didn't speak
was drawing shapes with her spade and was talking to herself
"now that's a face and those are ears"
and the thrill of that
Debbie: It was obvious from when he was about 18 months that there was something very wrong
It took a while to get a diagnosis of autism
he was about 6, but before then it was clear that he was going to need specialist education
It was when you moved down here, which was in 1974 -
- you moved from the midlands, moved to Christchurch...
It was very difficult to get a place for him in a special school -
- because, everybody wanted them, everybody wanted their children to go to the special school
Joan: There were only about three schools
they were beginning to be brought in at this time, there were some schools that were mixed
but pure autistic schools, we were one of the few.
To explain some of the attitude, we went to a conferance -
- and there a man got up and said that it was a waste of time trying to teach autistic children unless they were in the top group
Debbie: You don't see the disability when you've got a member of your family, you just see the person that they are.
I think because my dad was so good at getting into his world, you know, I probably followed suit
so we had a good relationship, we used to have a lot of laughs.
When he went away for the week, there was a huge presence that was missing really from the house
the house was so quiet when he wasn't there, you'd really look forward to him coming home at weekends.
Joan: He was very involved, very caring, he was always present at every meeting
because at that time, there was nothing for anyone really.
If you managed to keep them at school till 19, and a lot of places didn't,
- they were out. Mental hospitals or a home. That was it.
So that was brilliant of Terry, very far sighted
very far sighted.
Debbie: He could see that people with autism needed specialist care
having a nice place to live, a homely place to live
being able to for walks
They must have been really hard years for my parents, up all night late into the morning -
- so it was a huge, huge commitment.
Joan: We've done so much in those 50 years, it's unbelievable. It's brilliant to have experienced that.
I love coming in, I love the atmosphere in the classroom, I love that they're learning
the students are learning
Kim: I think everybody has been so touched by Autism Wessex
People have described having improved self esteem, improved confidence
Debbie: He likes to be an observer of activity. He doesn't like to be the centre of anything but he does like to watch.
Sometimes when you're out for a walk he'll just stand still and listen to the sounds that are around him
sometimes you think maybe he's listening to the sounds of the birds
He's much more content in himself, he's got a service that is tailored to him
he's got really good carers that have known him for a long time
and it's one thing I haven't had to worry about because I know Nigel's in safe hands.
Joan: These are people, with abilities and difficulties -
- who have importance.
Robert: Every person with autism has something different and special to offer to the world -
- and I think it's important to celebrate that.
Harry Redknapp: Happy 50th Birthday to Autism Wessex!
Sophia Grech: Absolute congratulations to them on their 50th Golden Anniversary
Siun: 50 years of delivering services, 50 years of being here
I feel that we have so much potential
My vision is that we build on everything that we've learnt so far -
- so that maybe in 50 years time... it's actually okay
there's opportunity for everybody to reach their aspirations
- and to be part of a community as equals.
I think that would be a fantastic achievement.
Thank you for everything you've done to help Autism Wessex.
In the last 50 years we've an enormous success, but the work isn't done yet.
We want to make Autism Wessex a huge success in the next 50 years -
- a small donation through our website will really help us to achieve the work that we need to do.
Thank you for helping us make a difference.