I'm bragging about my son here

[StillMedusa]

This friday it will be four years since Asda took a chance and gave my DS2 a job.
He's a 22 yr old with autism and mild learning disabilities.
Over the four years they have given him support when he needed it, and in return they have discovered that employees with autism/lds can make the best, most reliable, most helpful and least likely to take time off employees ever.
The last few weeks have been tough, and he has been in the frontline every day, dealing with stressed and anxious customers, and quite a few assholes, frankly.
He is anxious (also has OCD ) and his obsession with the stats, the dates ,his huge worries about all the stores across the world dominate his thoughts (he is obsessed with supermarkets )

But he does his job, he does it to the very best of his ability and I am so proud of him. He faces infection every day. And he still just gets on with it.
He is a real star. As are the legions of lowly considered lowly paid supermarket workers who have dealt with loo roll fiascos, customers who refuse to keep their distance and many others.

Two of my other kids are directly covid 19 frontline ..a doctor and a nurse, but my DS2 has overcome the statistics just to be employed as a disabled person, and not once has he moaned about doing extra hours or the amount of hassle he has endured.
I'm proud of him.

[HebeMumsnet]

Thanks for sharing, OP. Lovely to hear a positive story, and a huge thank you to your son (and all the other supermarket workers) for keeping us all fed. Brag away - you must be, rightfully, really proud.

[Bigfishylittlefishy]

How wonderful. I’m about to start an LD nursing degree course in September - can’t wait. Awareness is growing in all fields.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

I'd loaded up this thread before I went to bed last night and the WiFi had glitched so it was the first thing to load this morning and I may have something in my eye.

He sounds amazing @StillMedusa, what a star.

And in passing, a doctor and a nurse and a young man who has overcome so many challenges to be such a positive, contributing member of society - it sounds like their mum is pretty special too

[outnumberedwoman]

Thank you Medusa. DC2 is severely speech delayed, not potty trained and issues with anger and frustration. No issues with noises, crowds, lights smells etc. Doesn't mind changes to routine but cannot follow even simple instructions. Can be quite difficult to engage. I worry constantly what the future holds. I am hoping they will be accepted into special school in next town over but obviously it is all up in the air at the moment which doesn't help my stress and anxiety. It is truly wonderful to hear about your son who was born verbal for 5 years working in such a frontline role and thriving in it. It is testament to your wonderful parenting so be proud of yourself too - no one knows what it is like to parent a child with ASD until they have been there. It is very rewarding but also very difficult. I can experience all emotions from joy to despair and everything in between in the space of an hour!

[DarkMutterings]

Brag away, your son is awesome.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

You brag away Medusa. You definitely deserve some credit. I hope all your brave children stay safe.

[GingerScallop]

You have made me tear up. You are right to brag and be proud of him. What a son! What a parent! This is definitely the best post I have read on Mumsnet. Thank your son for keeping us fed. I hope he can brag
Am so so happy for you and hope you look back at your struggles with pride, having triumphed.
Am a mess and can't express what an feeling for you and your son. Sorry

[Rosehip10]

I'm sure sunak has his eye on being prime minister, yes.

[caringcarer]

You must be so very proud of all of your important key worker children. We are all very grateful to them. I foster a child with learning disabilities and many autistic traits who goes to special school. I am proud of him too. He is doing all of the work I set for him as well as work set from school. He likes to start at time he would if attending school and have same lunch break too. His school have told me he I have sent back more work he has produced than any other child. He loves learning and is determined to have completed every piece of work before he returns to school. I am so proud of him especially because he finds it hard he can't do swim training or play cricket. He has trained for 7 or 8 hours every week in the nets over the winter and is gutted he won't be able to play this summer. Instead we have taught him to play chess and now he is fixated on that. It is so rewarding when you seem them bloom after going through so many difficult times with them.

[RoryGilmoree]

He (and your other kids!) sounds amazing OP! Hope they all stay safe through this - thank them for their service

[Notverybright]

That's great StillMedusa. Thanks to your son for keeping us all fed and your 2 other children for their hard work too. It says a lot about you as a parent that your kids have chosen careers that make contribution to the world.

[Clotho55]

What a heartwarming story, during these testing times. 👏 to your son, he is a credit to himself and his parents. Kudos to ASDA for giving him the chance of gainful employment

[Mycatisthebest]

That is lovely I am so glad you shared! You have every right to be proud and I hope you tell him how proud you are!!

[DonLewis]

Hey, I think I remember you posting when he got the job. 4 years now? Wow. Glad to hear he's flourished.

And say thank you to him from me for keeping on, keeping on.

[MrsNettle]

Oh, I have nothing else to add but you got me welled up with your beautiful post. Thank you for sharing such positive news. You have done well to raise him to be where he is now

[OmartheGoose]

What a wonderful post to read. I can understand why you're so proud of your son. Massive respect to him for coping with his anxiety and doing his job so well.

[Simonfromharlow]

❤️

[Poppybeaumydarlinggirl]

Amazing it made me cry a little!! I’m glad you shared that with us. Sending love to your family

[bluebell34567]

well done. so happy for you.

[MessInABottle]

Ah such a wonderful post to read. Well done to him and you

[Pieceofpurplesky]

OP no only is your son amazing but you are too. Your story has made me really happy

[StillMedusa]

outnumberedwoman My boy was non verbal til he was 5.. special school all the way, no gcses or anything like that... he was always gentle and passive and happy lining up his pencils and obsessed with Shania Twain from age 3 (took him to see her in concert last year...OMG he nearly exploded with excitement!)

If you'd told me, when he was 4, that he would ever had a job..I would have laughed..and sobbed and not believed it. I never thought he would talk!
But, our children can suprise us. He is autistic to his core, he will never live independently and I have to shave him, cut his nails, he has no daily living skills... BUT he is polite and loves everyone and mencap supported him into his job..and he has become a perfect employee as once he learns a task he performs it exactly...never slacks. (he never fails the challenge 25 test ) And he is genuinely loved in store... he was employee of the year ..because he adores his job and is so happy to see his customers . I have to say that Asda have been amazing with him too..they really do support people with disabilties.
There is hope :)

(he also drives me nuts with his obsessions and repetitive conversations but hey ho, you learn to live with it...)

[angelikacpickles]

Well done to you and your son.

[yogz1976]

Congratulations! Sounds like you have raised 3 wonderful and amazing children :O)

[ToffeeYoghurt]

He sounds lovely. You should definitely be proud of him. I'm very grateful to all the frontline staff like your son.