Lisa took our family in the depths of a dark and terrible crisis and steered us on a path out into the sunlight. I know that might sound dramatic but it really is true. When I first spoke to Lisa, we were desperate. Our daughter was so anxious she couldn’t sleep on her own, she was so unhappy she didn’t want to go to school anymore, was having the most shocking meltdowns, retreating into the world of online gaming and self-harming.
Lisa took her time to listen with her trademark empathy and compassion and she let us know that she could see our daughter. Though our 11-year-old was reluctant at first, Lisa made her feel comfortable, and they quickly formed a relationship characterised by trust and respect.
Every week, our daughter had somewhere to go and a person to listen to who was there for her. She could talk to Lisa without feeling judged, and Lisa gave her the tools to try to manage her anxiety and her difficulties. It has not been the easiest journey. Our daughter changed schools, and that didn’t go particularly well either, but Lisa was always there for our daughter, and for us too, taking time to talk and, most importantly, listen to our difficulties, concerns, and at times, our feelings of frustration and helplessness.
She was there for all of us. Then, once the worst of the crisis was over, we started to think whether there was something more going on. Lisa helped steer us in the right direction to find the private assessment we needed, and three months ago, our daughter finally had her Autism diagnosis. It has been life-changing. For the first time, we all understand what is going on and our daughter no longer blames herself for the social rejection and difficulties she has experienced and continues to experience.
For the first time, we can advocate for her properly. We understand her needs and we can help her navigate the world around her… in fact, she is starting to do this for herself. Best of all, she has come out of her shell and started to engage in the world again, to our delight and astonishment. She no longer blames herself or is hard on herself for her so-called ‘shortcomings’. In fact, she is really starting to be very comfortable in her own skin.
She is okay with who she is and she accepts that her differences don’t make her any less than others around her. They are what make her special. Our daughter is transformed from where she was 16 months ago, and we really have Lisa to thank for that. We know that there are still mountains ahead, but I feel that we are now equipped with the right tools to find the path ourselves.
Thank you, Lisa. You have given us back the sunshine in our lives.