A single mother of two autistic boys from Bromley near Colchester UK, has become the target of a disparaging letter from her neighbours.
The letter which was posted anonymously through her door on New Years Eve, has caused huge ripples within the autism community. Annie Sands, mother to Sebastian, 14 and Reuben, 13, was kind enough to talk to Autism Daily Newscast earlier today after her decision to post the letter to Facebook.
She said in an exclusive to Autism Daily Newscast:
“I moved into my home four years ago, with my two sons. Seb used to whizz around our close on a scooter (sensory thing). A neighbour came out and told him to stop, he did. Then he used to trigger and Stim between to trees in my front garden. The same neighbour told him to stop it was disturbing him. So he did.
“A group of kids were playing with Sebs basketball, it ended up in the neighbours garden. The kids came to me and said she wouldn’t give Seb’s ball back. I went and am incredibly reasonable. I asked her for the ball, she just gave a vicious verbal attack at me. I still remained polite, pointing out it was Sebastian’s ball and she knew he had difficulties. She called the police who said she was old. I had a visit from social services saying a concerned neighbour was worried I was neglecting Seb, our social worker said it was just malicious.
Closeup of Original Photo
“She complained about Seb’s transport, mounting the kerb to turn around. She reported me to environmental health for selling cakes with the kids in the close to make some money for a decent play area. My neighbour also a single parent is moving as she has had enough, she has her home up for sale. She told the police families shouldn’t live here.
“It is horrid and yesterday she turned up with some empty cartons saying “your rubbish has blown all over my garden.” It wasn’t my rubbish. She has taken photos of the kids and gone to the Parish Council. One of the worst things she did was against my oldest son Alex (22). Alex came to live with me for a while. She phoned the police and the Parish Council that he looked ‘menacing and she wanted to know what he was doing here’ the police came and spoke to me, they were very good about it all. I feel so anxious and shaky, my eldest daughter is coming today as I feel really vulnerable.”
A similar letter was posted Canada in August as Autism Daily Newscast reported here.
Ms Sands has now made the decision to sell her bungalow and find another place to live, as she feels unable to continue living where she lives at the moment.
Shân Ellis, is a qualified journalist with five years experience of writing features, blogging and working on a regional newspaper. Prior to working as a journalist, she was a ghost writer for top publishers and was closely involved in the editing and development of book series. Shân has a degree in the sciences, and 5 A levels. She lives in the UK and is the mother of an autistic child.
{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
A single mother of two autistic boys from Bromley near Colchester UK, has become the target of a disparaging letter from her neighbours.