However, as it turned out Christmas for us was one of the best ever! Chris found out his job was safe, I had the all clear health wise and having the girls home was just a delight. We shared Christmas with family and friends and have never appreciated how lucky we are more. Our daughter Natalie coped extremely well with the lack of routine, random mealtimes and a constant stream of activities; taking herself off if it all got too much but I have to say that was rare.

Natalie had a surprise for us when she arrived home for Christmas she cooked us a meal! She had been preparing and practicing how to cook this meal for weeks with her carers and it was really good. She even laid the table and cleared up after, which really was a fantastic feat for her and she was thrilled that she managed to do that for us more or less unaided. She was such great company and we missed her terribly when she decided to go back to Linkage for New Year to be with her "mates" for their New Year festivities. 

We have had one or two issues since her return due to relationship problems. This is a really complex area for any young person but throw autism into the mix and it becomes even more difficult. However, with the fantastic support that she receives from her carers Natalie has had lots of counselling and advice and though she needs a lot of reassurance she seems to be coping with these complex emotions.

It makes me appreciate how lucky I am as a parent to have the support of an organisation like Linkage. Everyday parents have to deal with the stresses and traumas of looking after someone with complex mental health issues or with learning disabilities and often with little or no support.\we are so fortunate that our daughter has a fantastic quality of life, living with whom she wants, where she wants with amazing care and support which allows the rest of her family to get on with their lives too. 

It is precisely this that makes me even more determined to work towards helping more people to have access to support and services so that they and their loved ones can have the quality of life that they deserve. It is a new year and the mission continues.