How a micro-pig changed my boy’s life

In her heartwarming book, Jo Bailey reveals the unbreakable bond between her autistic son and a ginger hog called Chester

happy toddler hitting all the usual milestones but when he was two years he regressed suddenly, withdrawing into a silent world that only he inhabited. “Within the space of four weeks, my little boy went from being a typically developing, bilingual toddler to a withdrawn little boy who had lost all of his language. He also lost all eye contact, stopped feeding himself, became obsessed with straight lines, and stopped calling me ‘Mummy’,” she says.

Sam spent most of his time lying unresponsive on the sofa, his eyes completely vacant. “In a matter of weeks, he had completely shut down,” she says. “It was heartbreaking.”

Eventually, at the age of four, Sam was diagnosed with autism. Jo says her heart broke into “a million pieces” at what the future might hold for her eldest son. She also has another boy, Will, 12.

When her marriage to the boys’ father broke down shortly after Sam’s diagnosis, Jo returned to the UK and eventually settled in South Devon with second husband, oil rig health and safety manager Darren, 50.

Together they began learning how to live with a condition that could lead to Sam having frequent meltdowns due to the intensity of his unfiltered senses, and social problems caused by an inability to read verbal and non-verbal cues from other people.

When Sam was six, Jo read that spending time with miniature piglets could help children with learning difficulties and took him to Pennywell Farm near their home in Devon. Sam was instantly drawn to the smallest piglet in the litter and delighted in playing with him.

Amazed at her son’s immediate connection to the ginger pig, she asked if the animal was for sale. She had never owned a pig before but was assured that micro-pigs were as intelligent as dogs, and easier to look after.

The little pig quickly bonded with Sam and refused to leave his side. “Chester settled in quickly, living with us in the house. But then he started to grow, and grow. But the bigger and naughtier Chester became, the more Sam laughed,” she says.

Not only did Chester swamp the sofa, he dug up the garden, tore off wallpaper, escaped, ate their neighbours’ bird food and chewed his way through the timber Wendy house that was his first outside home. There may have been a trail of domestic devastation to contend with but Jo noticed that the more Sam laughed at the naughty pig, the more confident her son was becoming. Getting rid of Chester was unthinkable.

“With confidence came language and gradually Sam learned to speak. He now has the ability to communicate his feelings, make friends, and be caring and kind towards others – something he learned from helping to look after Chester.” BIG BOY: Fully mature Chester

AT LEAST 700,000 people in the UK are on the autistic spectrum and only one in 10 autistic adults is in employment but Jo hopes that Sam’s experience of growing up with a pig will enable him to work with animals in the future. He is also interested in graphic design.

“Autism affects how Sam experiences the world but it does not define who he is,” says Jo. “He loves helping in the garden, going to the beach, face painting, going on holiday and he adores his little brother, Will.”

And of course, his pig – whose greatest delight is having his tummy tickled with a broom.

To order Sam & Chester: How A Mischievous Pig Transformed The Life Of My Autistic Son (£7.99, Corgi) call the Express Bookshop with your card details on 01872 562 310. Alternatively please send a cheque or postal order made payable to The Express Bookshop to: Sam and Chester Offer PO Box 200, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4WJ or visit expressbookshop.com UK delivery is free.