‘She’s an inspiration’
Lynsey Fulcher, 42, lives in Newcastle with her fiancé Andrew, 41, and their sons, George, nine, Matthew, eight, and William, six, who all have complex learning needs.
She says, “Since my boys were little, I’ve looked to Jordan for inspiration. On social media and her reality TV shows, I’ve always admired how she talks openly about the realities of raising a child with special needs, and whenever I need a bit of encouragement, I think of her.
“My middle son, Matthew, was around two when he began displaying the typical signs of autism – he’d line his toys in neat rows, and he avoided eye contact. After he was diagnosed, his brothers were too. George and William also have a genetic condition, which means they have other challenges too, including sensory processing disorder, which means things like loud noises and bright lights can be excruciating for them. George has a mental age of four, while William is non-verbal, and has a mental age of two. Matthew has a high IQ, but he struggles in social situations.
“I used to have a job in finance, and Andrew worked in logistics, but the boys need round-the-clock care, so we gave up work to become their full-time carers. The boys crave routine, so have strict times for meals, medicines, baths and bed. We help them wash, get dressed, go to the toilet – and they each only eat certain foods. They also have triggers, such as a door slamming or bad weather, which can cause them to get upset and sometimes aggressive. They don’t mean to hurt me, but I often get kicked and punched. I’m just 5ft and I’m all too aware that it won’t be long before I have three strapping teenage boys in the house.
“I’ve had to battle doctors, teachers and local authorities to make sure they get the right care. I’ve also dealt with nasty comments at the school gates if one of the boys has a meltdown, and I’ve had a landlord try to charge me a higher deposit as he thought my kids would destroy his house. It’s at times like those when I think of Jordan, and the strength she shows. She’s never been ashamed and has always given Harvey the love he deserves. If she can fight for her son, then I’m determined to do the same for mine.
“When I watched her show about the difficulties of finding a residential college for Harvey to live and get an education now he’s 18, I knew that would be me one day. I hate the idea of being away from my boys. Handing over their care to someone else is scary. But I also know that staying at home with me may not be the best for them.
“It’s because of Jordan that I’m sharing my own experiences now. I want to help other mums, like she’s helped me. I also want to tell the world that, even though my children are different, they’re no less valuable.”