Inspiring Charlie triumphs over autism
SOCIAL interaction can be a daunting or even impossible feat for some youngsters with autism – but 16-year-old Charlie Cook, from Haverhill, has not only charmed everyone he meets, he is connecting with people through his own small business venture, selling handmade bags.
Charlie, a pupil at Priory School, in Bury St Edmunds, has been hard at work stitching a very professional-looking array of bags, which he hopes to sell at Haverhill's late-night shopping event tomorrow, to raise money for a hydrotherapy pool at Hillside Special School, in Sudbury, which he attended previously.
He said: "I've made 40 bags and 482. I've given some of it to Hillside. I would like to run my own business."
He also hopes to work in Sainsbury's – he likes the uniform.
His proud mum Jo said there were so many people in Haverhill and at the two special schools, who had helped and supported Charlie.
Autism is a brain disorder which can prove debilitating as the sufferer finds it hard to interact with other people – often unable to make eye contact – and the world can be a confusing place for them.
But Charlie, with the support of his parents – Jo and dad Trevor – enjoys as normal a life as possible.
He proudly talks about his fledgling business and solo trips to Haverhill town centre and even as far as Cambridge.
For many autistic youngsters, such trips would be out of the question, but he has mastered the use of a mobile phone – something which most of us would take for granted – and his mum encourages him to be as independent as possible.
She said: "I think half the battle is, Charlie is so willing and wanting to experience everything, it's giving him the chance to do it.
"Without the support from everyone else he might not have the confidence to have those experiences."
Speaking to Charlie, it's impossible not to smile.
He is filled with enthusiasm about life and his school work – and plans for the future.
Jo and Trevor have two other sons – Tim, 17, and Toby, who is 14 and also autistic.
But Jo admits it can be hard work being a parent of two children with special needs: "When they were younger I did push them quite a lot. It's quite frightening when you have special needs children.
"You know you're not going to be around forever, and I wanted to teach them as much as I could for their futures."
She said Charlie's autism was not diagnosed until she had her younger son, Toby: "The health visitor noticed Charlie was not making very much eye contact. He started talking and all of a sudden it stopped.
"As a young child Charlie was very difficult. He didn't like crowds or socialising at all. He still likes his own company now. We try to encourage him to go out with his friends more and be sociable."
Jo said she wanted to thank everyone in the town who had been kind to Charlie when he has been on his various trips to purchase material or complete a school challenge.
Charlie was very excited about the prospect of selling his bags at the late-night shopping event and meeting people.
He will be one of many people hoping to raise money at the late-night shopping event in High Street and Queen Street, from 5.30pm tomorrow night.
karen.steel@haverhillecho.com
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Haverhill
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
