Yun He lives in Glasgow with her husband Liang Yu and their two sons, Leo (16) and Obie (3). Leo is diagnosed with autism and a learning disability and is non-verbal. The family were awarded a Take a Break grant for a short break away, to spend precious time together as a family, away from the day-to-day routine of caring. Yun He explains,
“When Leo was one or two, I could see he was very quiet and was very emotional when we went outside. He doesn’t like loud places like the supermarket, he gets very upset.”
“It is not easy to go away as a family, Leo doesn’t like changing his routine. If we go, I have to prepare and let Leo know with pictures where we are going to so he can imagine and understand. We don’t have much money.
Day-to-day life
“He is a teenager now, we don’t have a social worker, so we are finding the right support as he moves into his future. It is a full-time job for me, as a parent you need to prepare. It is very challenging at this time.
“He loves playing outside, swimming, running – he has a lot of energy and is never tired. He needs one-to-one support as he doesn’t know danger and can run away.”
Working alongside caring
“I started working part-time six years ago. He is my full-time job, but when he goes to school and is settled, I find my own time. I work two jobs, in a coffee shop and in a Chinese restaurant.”
How Take a Break Scotland helped
“I applied for the Take a Break fund for a caravan holiday. Leo was very excited. There was a big swimming pool and we could see the farm. We had two days there and were able to enjoy the moment, see beautiful things and feel relaxed.”
“Seeing a different place, not just working and at home, the children can play well – these things make you feel happy.”
“Just to make you think ‘this world is so beautiful’ with nothing to bring you down, you feel encouraged again. Leo didn’t want to go back home, we stayed until the staff came to tell us it was time to leave. It’s quiet, just you and your family. Leo can make a lot of noise and no one can complain.
“Leo could see the sea and I could let him play in his swimsuit, then enjoy his favourite food of chips. My husband took him to the swimming pool, he stayed there for an hour and a half– Leo was very tired that night. Usually, he wakes up in the night, his sleeping isn’t good at home. That time, he slept overnight until 7am and I saw he had a happy rested face.”
