AUTISM and Asperger syndrome come in so many different forms
that almost every case needs a special sort of understanding. The
Revd Dr John Gillibrand, who has an autistic son, is the first
person to receive the Autism Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award for
his work in raising awareness of the condition in Wales and on a
political level.
Dr Gillibrand is Priest-in-Charge at Llangeler, near Llandysul,
in St Davids diocese, and over the past two
decades he and his wife have been strong supporters of people with
autism and their families. He has taken the cause of autism to both
the Welsh government and Westminster, as well as to the church,
where he has received support and encouragement.
The award was announced at Holly's Ball, an annual event to
raise money for autism charities, and named after the daughter of
Jo Salmon, Holly, who has Asperger syndrome. Announcing the award,
Mrs Salmon said that Dr Gillibrand was an inspiration to other
parents.
The Ball raised more than £7000 for the National Autistic
Society Cymru and Autism Cymru.