Autistic Boy used as Human Skittle - Northern Ireland

3 April 2009


(Autism Awareness in Northern Ireland - we have far to go)
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"A Derry woman says she's horrified that a group of bullies used her seven year-old autistic nephew as a "human skittle" - hurling balls and stones at him in a bid to knock him to the ground.

The woman, from Fernabbey, says she's disgusted by the "inhuman" treatment of her nephew and has asked the Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Dr. Seamus Hegarty, to intervene by helping to educate local people about autism. The boy's mother has also visited local schools in the area to ask for support from teachers.

"I'm asking the Bishop to direct the priests in Derry to speak to people at Mass this weekend," she said.

"This is a humanitarian issue. People are ignorant about autism. Children on the street can't be allowed to abuse a little boy for fun. It's National Autism Week and I want the priests of Derry to make people aware of their ignorance."

She revealed that on Tuesday night the youngster had gone out to play football with his friends.

"His mum went out to look for him only to witness them treating him like a human skittle. They were aiming the ball at him to hurt his little body. She shouted at them but they ran away. My wee nephew was badly shaken and distressed. Last year we caught boys hosing him down in the street."

She said her nephew loves playing with his friends.

"Some of the boys know he's different," she said. "But they see it as fun. Their parents are not aware it's happening. These children don't really care, they think it's fun, it's alright to abuse and mock, regardless of the innocent victim.

"I don't want anyone to suffer the pain of injustice, to feel like my sister and myself feel, the hurt, despair and terrible anger. If tears could make this alright, I'd never stop crying. He is a bright, intelligent seven year-old, who loves company. This lovely little boy with blond hair and big blue eyes is very lonely.

"Autism is such an isolation, but all these children need is normality, just like everyone else. My little nephew is normal, he's not stupid, he's quite clever. He feels emotion, pain, sadness and happiness just like everyone else. At seven years- old all he wants is fun with friends. He would be too trusting, this is the reason these little scumbags tried to hurt him. There's no excuse for injustice against this innocent angel.

"This must be stopped now. These thugs and bullies must never be allowed to do this to any child again, especially someone who can't defend themselves because they are autistic.

"This is Autistic Awareness Week and situations as serious as this incident must be highlighted now more than ever in chapels and schools. Parents must be made aware of this as well. These wee boy abusers are from the Galliagh area and I've asked the priests and Bishop of Derry to intervene and try and help as well. I don't want my sister or nephew to suffer any more grief.

"There's already too much pain in Derry because of other people, regardless of age.""