Prior's Court pupil hears sister's struggle in short film

The sister of a Prior's Court pupil tells all about her struggles as the sibling of someone who has complex autism in a new short film.

Jamie Lawrence, 19, was taken into care at Prior's Court, Hermitage, at the age of 10 after exhibiting increasingly aggressive behaviour caused by his autism.

His sister, Kaitlin Lawrence, 21, from Guildford, speaks in the film about her loneliness, missed experiences and the impact of not having a 'normal' sibling relationship.

Miss Lawrence, a student at the University of Exeter, said: "The impact on someone like Jamie moving into residential care at such a young age is huge.

"Even though somewhere like Prior’s Court is the perfect place for Jamie to be, being away from our parents and me as his sister is very challenging for him.

"But it also has a tremendous impact on those of us left in the family home.

"This short film is about shining a light on that and telling other people who may find themselves in my shoes they are not alone," she added.

"What I'm keen for people in my situation to know is how mentally and emotionally challenging it is and what a devastating it is thing to go through as a child.

"Even now, there is part of me that wishes I could have had that 'normal' sibling relationship.

"But you can find a way and come out with an incredible bond that is truly special."

Miss Lawrence has written extensively about her family's story.

She has shared her fears of not wanting childhood friends to visit her home due to them seeing "what Jamie was like" and how impossible it was visit play centres and go on family holidays.

Miss Lawrence also appeared with her parents in another film supporting Prior's Court's £900,000 'Let me Shine' appeal to build a bespoke new arts centre for its pupils.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZ4oMvJ5Mg to view the film.