Yolanda Flavius

Caring Luthie Yolanda Flavius

This story captures the struggles, challenges and the triumph of a physically-challenged mother, originally left-handed, succumbed to a stroke on her left side, and became right-handed almost overnight, following a failed marriage and separation. Her love and care for Luther, whom she affectionately calls Luthie, is a low functioning autistic and robust 'man child'. She must often, of necessity, depend on the kindness of persons to help her to meet his needs. This story, therefore, focusses on major events in Luthie's experiences that showcase in many ways the nature of autism and her coping strategies. In her pursuits of various self-help projects to acquire her own home before retirement, help eventually came from the most unlikely source of help, from Luthie h imself. She caught the admiration of a technician, Daniel, who visited her home and was moved with a strong sense of urgency to help her realise her goal of home ownership. Their relationship developed, their love grew and were later married. She is now settling in her retirement and is pursuing 'precious moments' with Luthie. She trusts that this would be a source of inspiration to caregivers of autistic persons who struggle daily in providing care to their loved ones.