'It Doesn't Matter If You Have Autism, You Should Never Feel Left Out'
- Leicester City are celebrating Autism Awareness Week (29 March – 4 April)
- Foxes fan Sam shares his story about living with autism as part of the campaign
- His Mum - Ruth - is grateful for the support shown by the Football Club
Sensitivity to loud noises and anxiety in busy places - two common difficulties that autistic people experience - means Sam is currently not able to take in a game in person.
The youngster, who has supported the Club from a young age and names Harvey Barnes as his favourite player, tells us about some of the challenges he faces, and how he is determined to watch a game on Filbert Way with the Blue Army soon.
Alongside his Mum, Ruth, he shares his story as part of Autism Awareness Week (29 March – 4 April), an initiative, through the National Autistic Society, which aims to transform lives and change attitudes to help create a society that works for people on the autistic spectrum.
Ruth said: “Sam has been a Leicester City fan all his life. We took him along to a couple of games when he was very young, and despite us not being back since he’s definitely caught the bug and loves the Club.
“He was diagnosed with autism when he was nine years old and developed quite severe anxiety. Like many autistic people, he has issues with sensory overload and struggles with loud noises and busy places.
“Getting his diagnoses helped us to understand his difficulties better as a family. He always had little difficulties here and there, but we didn’t really understand them, so over the past few years we’ve been able to help him deal with the challenges that his autism brings.
“We tried to get to a couple of games during the 2018/19 season and got to the stadium on both occasions, but unfortunately Sam was just overwhelmed with everything and didn’t feel like he could go in because he was just too anxious.
“I contacted the Club the day after this and spoke to Anna Dickman (Disability Liaison Officer) and Jim Donnelly (Supporter Relations & Accessibility Manager).
“They arranged for Sam to visit the stadium on a non-matchday so he could get a feel of the environment, so we went along, and they showed us around so that he could familiarise himself with the place – he even got to sit in the manager’s seat!
“We hoped this would help him, so we tried going to the game against Newcastle in 2019/20, but again things were just too much for him, which was such a shame as I knew how much he wanted to go in.
“Anna and Jim came to meet us in the car that day to try and help Sam in, but the noises and the crowds meant he wasn’t comfortable. We’re hopeful to go soon because I know how desperate he is to watch his team.”
Sam describes his emotions that day but says he is intent on overcoming his anxieties and is eager to be part of the crowd when it is possible to do so.
He said: “I felt so upset afterwards because I really wanted to go in the stadium. I’m a massive Leicester fan and all I want to do is to be able to watch a game.
“I love football and love LCFC so it’s really frustrating that my autism has made it too hard for me to go into the stadium on a matchday.
“I felt really anxious and stressed when I was there, but I’m determined to not let it stop me and hope to go one day soon.”
Discussing the support the family have received from the Club, Ruth spoke highly of Anna and Jim for the way they’ve treated Sam: “They’ve been brilliant with us. They’ve been so helpful and were very welcoming to Sam when he first met them.
“Anna is lovely and made him feel very much at ease when she gave him a tour of the stadium. They want to support Sam in any way they can, and I think they were as upset as he was when he didn’t feel comfortable to come into the ground that day.
“They’ve kept in touch with us and always remember Sam’s birthday each year, which is lovely, and we couldn’t ask for more.
“Leicester City is a real family club, so having Anna and Jim there to talk to is great for us. We’re incredibly grateful for the work they do, not just for Sam but for the whole community too.”
Despite some of the difficulties he faces, Sam is set on watching the Foxes soon and explains how having a diagnosis of autism should not hold people back.
He added: “It’ll be an amazing day when I can watch Leicester play live at King Power Stadium. I’ll feel very happy and excited because it’s something I’ve wanted to do again for a very long time.
“I try not to worry too much about having autism, I just want to overcome the challenges as best as I can.
“It can be an obstacle at times and some days are tough, but there’s things I do now to try and help it so it doesn’t impact me too much.
“It doesn’t matter if you have autism or not though, you shouldn’t feel left out in any way and should enjoy yourself as much as you can.”
And Ruth hopes Autism Awareness Week will help people to be more understanding of those living with the disability.
“Autism is a hidden disability. Looking at Sam you wouldn’t think that he’d struggle in any way, but he interprets senses in a different way and struggles to filter out loud noises, so if people could understand that a little bit more it would be great.
“I think lockdown has given us all a new experience, supporters have been unable to get to the games, but when lockdown eases those problems will continue for Sam and other autistic people.
“He has the same passion for Leicester City as any other fan. He wants to be able to share that passion with others.
“He’s no different to the person next to him, he just processes things in a different way, but he loves LCFC as much as anyone else.”
Please click HERE for more information about the work the Football Club does to help supporters with disabilities.
For further details about Autism Awareness Week, please click HERE.
In August 2019, as part of LCFC’s commitment to becoming a more autism-friendly organisation, a Sensory Hour was introduced in the Foxes Fanstore at King Power Stadium. Please click HERE for further details.
Furthermore, Autism Packs, which include ear defenders and sensory tangles, are available on matchdays for people living with autism, their families and carers. Please click HERE for more information.