Lucy and Flynn’s story Find out how a call to Contact’s helpline changed the lives of Lucy and her family. Lucy and son Flynn with dad at the seaside Lucy is mum to Flynn, aged 12, who loves the seaside and trampolining. They live in Powys in Wales, with Flynn’s older sister and dad. Flynn is profoundly autistic and needs high levels of care. Lucy helps Flynn with dressing, washing and eating. He has no sense of safety and needs supervision day and night as he sleeps very little. When Flynn started school there was no suitable after-school club, and Lucy had to leave a job she loved. At the same time, they were told that Flynn didn’t qualify for the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance. Financial worries soon mounted. That’s when Lucy heard about Contact. A call to our helpline changed the course of the family’s life. Derek, Contact’s Family Finance adviser, supported her to appeal the benefit decision. And they were successful. With less pressure and increased confidence, Lucy took part in Contact’s workshops, meeting other families like theirs. Lucy wished she’d had someone to talk to in those most isolating months after Flynn’s diagnosis, and now she is benefiting from a new network of friends. Lucy now helps other families like hers, providing advice and information about local sources of support. If you can, please donate to Contact and help us support thousands more families like Lucy’s.