I want to share my story of our journey with Ruth an autistic child. How we as a family were able to support her in the early difficult years. The challenges we faced navigating and dealing with various professionals and authorities. In certain cases this these events could break up a family but, in our case it strengthened it. Kept a strong bond between all of us as our focus was to get the best for Ruth in overcoming her physical and learning disability challenges. Our faith and community played an immense role in achieving this through compassion determination dedication and above all LOVE. Looking after Ruth and the family in addition had to carry on with my work as a nurse involved also in trade union activities supporting colleagues in the workplace. In all these given up was not an option, for you have to think about what if I am not around anymore you owe it to her to give her a chance.   Dr Cecilia Akrisie Anim CBE