Ben's Story
Ben has cerebral palsy and autism and for several years has been supported by Woodlands, a centre for young people with complex needs. When lockdown came, it was suggested that he should move into Woodlands full time. Mum Caroline works for the health service and Ben staying at home would have meant their normal support system would have been stretched.
Caroline: “When the suggestion of Ben moving to the centre full time was first mentioned my instinct was, no. Like any other parent, I wanted to keep my son at home with me but eventually I thought with my head rather than my heart and realised he would be safer at Woodlands.
“It is difficult when I’m watching other people doing things for him because they are all the things that I would normally be doing but given the circumstances I can’t. Our situation is nothing special given the world we are living in, there are countless children and people with complex needs who can’t see family and relatives but knowing that Ben is safe and well cared for at Woodlands makes all the difference for us as a family.”
