Silence Speaks

Silence Speaks narrates an undying commitment from a mother when her first born son is diagnosed with autism. On receiving this news, the author does everything in her power to find the answers she is seeking. The baffling quest begins as she narrates her story through fifty-five paintings explained in pure and heartfelt poetic verse. She invites the viewer to step into her space to feel her unimaginable grief, the abandonment and sorrow but she steers her path through hope to find ways to cope with her limitless challenges. As she immerses herself in her son’s needs, she successfully challenges the system and later opts to do it all herself. There are highs and lows and continuous struggles and a desperate yearning to do all that is required for her son. She moves beyond her human capacity when she looks for meaning in the questions she is seeking answers to, and ultimately her dreams are shattered. After giving up twenty-four years of her life to caring, the result is devastating. Her aim is to educate others as well as to create awareness of those affected by autism, the impact on families and carers, and to create acceptance of those coping in silence.