'I thought there was no future for my son'

“He would throw things at me in the car and hit his sister with the tennis racket. I’d be sitting on the side of the road crying for two hours trying to get him back in the seat."

Ky with his dad William, mum Nicole, and sister Jorga. Picture: Supplied

There were times when Tamborine Mountain mum Nicole Greenwood felt there was no future for her autistic son Ky.

His moods, behaviour and poor health dominated the family’s whole life.

“Ky was unpredictable - he was like a firecracker,” Nicole told Kidspot. 

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“He’s broken windows, put holes in walls, he’s hit me.

“He would throw things at me in the car and hit his sister with the tennis racket. I’d be sitting on the side of the road crying for two hours trying to get him back in the seat.

“He’s put the special school into many lockdowns.”

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Ky with his dad William, mum Nicole, and sister Jorga. Picture: Supplied

"The world isn't set up for a child with autism"

Nicole said his inability to communicate his needs and feelings meant he’d show them behaviourally.

“At the time it’s really hard not to take it personally, and you are really conscious of what other people are saying,” the 54-year-old mum said.

She also had to get used to the stares and dirty looks from people in the street, convinced they were bad parents.

Now Nicole feels it’s important for everyone to understand the daily challenges.

“I want people to know the truth,” she states, adding that every child with autism is different.

“The world is not set up for a child with autism,” William, his dad explains.

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Ky on a bike trip with his dad William. Picture: Supplied

"I'm sure there were times she was embarrassed"

The family have documented Ky’s journey from a childhood to adulthood in a series of three videos beautifully narrated by his uncle, actor Hugo Weaving.

William says when the idea arose, Hugo was keen to support Ky and his family and add his weight to spreading awareness about autism.

The second video gives a unique look at the life of a sibling of an autistic child. 

Jorga, Ky’s younger sister, who is now 22, describes in honest and raw detail the implications of growing up with Ky had on her childhood.

“I think she had the best childhood she could have had, and it’s made her who she is today,” Nicole says, explaining Jorga chose to work with autistic children as an occupational therapist.

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However, it certainly wasn’t an easy childhood and she faced many challenges.

“Some of her friends didn’t want to come to the house. She’d have to lock herself in the bedroom so she could escape from him when he lost it,” Nicole adds.

“She’d often be late for school and be embarrassed walking in.

“I’m sure there were times when she was also embarrassed by him and like any teenage girl, she was ashamed.”

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Ky with his younger sister Jorja, who now works as an occupational therapist. Picture: Supplied

"I didn't care what some parents said"

On one occasion Jorga’s cat won at the pet parade, beating Ky’s hermit crab which led him to throw the crab across the stage.

Often only one of the parents was able to attend events with Jorga because it was not feasible to take Ky.

“We didn’t get to celebrate her achievements as a family,” Nicole says.

“I got to a point where I didn’t care what some parents said.”

The videos were produced by Griffith University students for Autism Queensland and have won awards as part of the Cannes Film Festival.

They are currently waiting to hear if they have won at the New York Festival film and television awards.

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William and Nicole say Jorja was faced with "many challenges" as a child. Picture: Supplied

"He's proved a lot of people wrong"

Ky is now 23 and his life has turned around dramatically.

“He now has a future and proved a lot of people wrong including us,” Nicole says.

“Having the right school encouraged Ky to achieve and helped us believe he could achieve things.

“We were lucky we are in a small community which was willing to offer him a chance.”

Taking him out of a normal school and putting him in a special school was one of the hardest decisions the family had to make, but proved to be one of the turning points.

“After his first day he came home and said, ‘Mummy, I finally feel accepted’,” Nicole beams.

“He went from wetting the bed every night to holding it because his anxiety decreased.”

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Ky in the studio with his uncle, actor Hugo Weaving. Picture: Supplied

"Ky's story is about giving hope"

Through the school he was able to undertake a Certificate II in horticulture and became the first to finish a certificate at the school.

He then worked at the local nursery, which led to a second job at the local greengrocer, where he is seen as their best worker.

“It just goes to show you have to keep persevering in life,” William, 58, notes. “And having mentorships. You can’t do it on your own.

“Ky’s story is about giving hope and if you keep plugging away you can achieve.”

Ky’s story can be viewed on YouTube.

Originally published as 'I thought there was no future for my son'