Our plans for big family are over, reveals Christine
PADDY McGuinness’ wife Christine has revealed they’ve decided not to have any more children after their twins were diagnosed as having autism. Model Christine McGuinness says she and Paddy had hoped for a big family with eight children.
But the doting parents will now focus on caring for twins Penelope and Leo, four, and 10-month-old daughter Felicity who they fear might also develop autism.
In a moving interview she told The Mirror: “We had three children in three-and-a-half years. We were happy to keep going.
“As soon as I got pregnant I knew that was my life and that was what I wanted.
“I wanted to be a mum and have a really big family.
“We’ve had to reconsider plans because the twins need us and we are stretched as it is.
“We don’t have any help and Felicity is still not sleeping. Sometimes we are exhausted. It wouldn’t be fair to have more.”
Christine says she and Take Me Out host Paddy are considering having counselling after their children were diagnosed with autism, a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicates with and relates to others and how they experience the world around them.
And she admits it is tough for Phoenix Nights comic Paddy, from Bolton, to maintain his upbeat persona.
“Performing is something he has struggled with when the twins have had a bad time or been unhappy,” she said,
“He has to go off and make people laugh, which shows how professional he is. I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Christine revealed that their twins have autism by writing a heartfelt poem shared to mark their fourth birthday.
She wrote: “Today you both turn four, and I celebrate so much more.
“In the last 12 months you have learnt to talk, and you are using flat feet to walk.
“You are conquering your daily challenges, and I’m here to hold your hand, when your dealing with sensory overload, the quietest room sounds like a big brass band.
“You excel in mathematics and amateur dramatics and you amaze me every day, because you are beautiful inside and out in an extra special way.
“The meltdowns, the routines and all the planning ahead.
“The groundhog days, the beige food and the temperamental ‘time for bed.’
“I love you unconditionally and will encourage you both to embrace your autism. Because you are totally unique and fantastically awesome.
“All my love always, mummy.”