( charlie avEnt )
with absolutely no bridle; I trust her with my life.” Auntie is a traditional gypsy cob and is currently
enjoying life living out in a ‘track system’ which encourages a horse’s natural herd migration. “The horses have to move to get to their water, hay and different types of grazing which helps keep Auntie’s weight down”, explains Charlie. “I don’t overly groom her now in order to keep the natural oils in her coat for protection. I am thankful to Simple System Horse Feeds that sponsor us; their feeds naturally reflect everything I believe in and Auntie just loves it. I wear their jumper with pride everywhere I go!” Charlie is not averse to other areas of equestrianism and has a great love of eventing and absolutely idolises William Fox Pitt. “I really like the guy and loved watching him at Badminton”, says an overjoyed Charlie. “I loved the fact that he made time for me (despite my hyperactive, autistic jumping around and shouting) and waved to me from his horse. I absolutely loved it and I hope one day to meet him so I can give him a huge hug!” Auntie really is Charlie’s best friend and the mare has brought Charlie comfort, acceptance and love in what can be a very discriminative and cruel world. “Auntie has never tried to hurt me, injure me or upset me”, says Charlie. “I trust Auntie way more than I trust any human.” Charlie cannot imagine his life without Auntie but with his local authority continuing to make cuts in his disability and care allowance, he constantly worries. “I won’t have a reason to live if I have to sell Auntie”, says an anxious Charlie. “I would stop taking my medication and stop getting out of bed in the morning. The council keep deducting more money and delivering less care.” I am very shocked to discover how isolated and alone Charlie is. “I was housed here due to the location of Ruskin Mill, but all my friends and family are miles away”, continues Charlie. “A few years back I used to get 19.5 hours of care, but now I only get 9. I can’t drive or get a job and travelling on public transport is too overwhelming because of my autism.
“I want to show
the word what it’s truly like to have autism and show
people how horses have saved my life and can help save the lives of others”
I solely depend on carers to take me to see Auntie which is getting less and less. Auntie truly is about the only reason I have leſt to be here, but the social workers don’t see that, they come into my house and see all my horsey stuff and assume I am doing okay.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Charlie is absolutely fascinated by the traditional gypsy travelling way of life and finds it a very appealing lifestyle. “I met a true gypsy family and their horses at college, and they were making a proper living for themselves by pulling logs out of the woods”, recalls Charlie. “I remember sitting around their campfire and being made to feel so welcome with chocolate biscuits, and being introduced to their ferrets. I oſten wonder what it would be like to live as a gypsy with Auntie pulling a caravan.” Charlie’s main aim for the future is to educate people on the realities of autism and is excited by the prospect of making a short film for Netflix and Amazon Prime. “I want the film to be my lasting legacy”, says Charlie. “I want to show the world what it’s truly like to have autism and show people how horses have saved my life and can help save the lives of others.”
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JULY/AUGUST 2019
65
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