An Irvine mum has told how lockdown badly affected her autistic daughter – and how they found help.

Suzette Hunt said for her 11-year-old girl, Eraina, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the coronavirus restrictions have been a ‘nightmare’.

The rare condition causes a lack of collagen around her limbs meaning they can dislocate at any time.

The family moved to Irvine last summer and have been fighting to get Eraina the support she needs.

Eraina was emergency allocated two-and-a-half hours of care per week, which Suzette said was all the council could offer before full assessment.

She told the Times: “Lockdown has been an absolute nightmare. She’s used to being outside, at school, with her friends or doing sports.

“With ASN children they need a routine, without it they can’t function. Their world has ended.”

Through her social worker, Suzette was referred to Ko-Nekt, a support centre in North Ayrshire that caters for kids with additional support needs (ASN).

Suzette said: “They’ve been an absolute godsend. They will bend over backwards to get you help.”

The centre is operated by Ayrshire Children’s Services, a social enterprise providing free one-to-one respite care for children with ASN not covered by council provision.

Thanks to funds from the National Lottery, Ko-Nekt was able to give Eraina four hours of care for free on top of the three hours she pays for.

Suzette said: “I cried when Marianne said she’d give it to me, it’s just amazing.

“It sounds daft, but I can have a nap. I can have a full cup of coffee on my own without it going cold.”

Ayrshire Children’s Services’ chief executive, Marianne Greenway, said: “We’ve still been able to give that invaluable support to families and we want to let people know we are still here.

“What spurred me on, was how amazing the staff are, that they just embrace this period of time, amongst the chaos around them. To say we’re still here.”

Eraina loves baking, and eating, cakes which she can do at Ko-Nekt.

Suzette said: “She’s in pain most of the day every day, but she’s the happiest, smiliest child you’ll ever meet. Grumpy people coming towards you, once they pass, they’re smiling. I don’t know how she does it.”

Visit ko-nekt.co.uk.

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