Amy running the Dublin Marathon to raise funds for group who helped her son Jensen
Amy Henderson’s son, Jensen (5), was diagnosed with autism and a global development delay at the age of two.
When Amy was feeling “lost, heartbroken, confused, lonely and nobody understood”, she was told to go to the group for help. Four years later, she’s now on the committee.
“I’m training hard, I did a half marathon on Sunday, and I did well. I got into the running to free my head because living with a child with additional needs, it’s full time,” she said.
“I had to give up work and be a full-time carer. So the running was a good escape for me, a way of having that bit of freedom one or two hours a week.
“Training for the Dublin City Marathon and doing something to be able to give back to the people who have helped me along the way is something I am really looking forward to doing.
“I always remember when I first found out about Jensen and his diagnosis, I felt just completely and utterly lost. I didn’t know what to do, where to go.
“I had these immense feelings of sadness, heartbreak, constantly crying and I didn’t understand why I was feeling this way.
“Somebody had recommended this monthly group where I should go and talk. I always felt people around me didn’t get how I was feeling.
“When I went to the meeting, I’ll always remember the first night. I just broke down, I cried the whole two hours.
“All my emotions came out, I got to speak about my son and how I was feeling. Everybody in the room got it and they were so supportive. They held my hand.
“Everybody in that room got how I was feeling, they had the same feelings and emotions so I didn’t feel alone anymore. I threw myself into going to the group and now I’m on the committee.
“I’ve gone back to college through D12 Autism. I did an SNA course, and it helps me deal better with Jensen’s emotions and feelings, and how I can improve his life.
“It just really changed my life. I’ve met some of the most incredible women and men in the same circumstances. We’re really trying to make D12 very inclusive for all kids and we fight for so many different things like schools, they’re amazing.”
Amy Henderson is doing the Dublin City Marathon in aid of D12 Autism
Although the group has changed her life for the better, Amy also confessed that her little boy has done the same, as he’s always inspiring her.
“Jensen will be six in November; he is delayed in all aspects of his life. Jensen would still be in nappies, he’s non-verbal, communication is quite difficult but he’s the most amazing little human being you’ll ever meet in your life.
“I’m so passionate to learn and help him to the best of my ability. He recently got into a special school. I applied to 26 schools, and I got 26 rejection letters. My heart was broken. But thankfully he just got a place and he’s starting school this week.
“He has Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on repeat, he’s obsessed. We went to Disneyland in April. He loves Coco Melon, Paw Patrol, kids playing with toys on YouTube, he’s mimicking some of the sounds from YouTube.
“He’s amazing at numbers too. He’s recently been able to count 1 to 10. He can line up the numbers correctly in a row. Even if he’s walking past cars, he’ll be fascinated with the numbers on the reg plate.
“Jensen has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I’m a better person because of him I’m more empathetic, I’m more aware of my surroundings. He doesn’t know any badness in the world, it’s such a unique thing to have.”
You can find out more about Amy’s fundraiser in aid of D12 Autism here.
