A six-year-old autistic girl in
Leicester has found therapy in painting and her cat.
Iris Grace Halmshaw was diagnosed with
autism in 2011. Her disorder prevents her from speaking so with the
encouragement of her parents she learned how to express her emotions
through painting instead. Her beautifully abstract pictures are sold
and the proceeds are used to pay for Iris' therapy treatments and art
supplies.
In 2014, a new feline friend also
helped to make a world of difference in Iris's ability and desire to
communicate.
Through her research, mum Arabella had
discovered that many children responded well to a variety of animals,
from dogs to horses and they tried both, but Iris didn't connect.
When her brother travelled to Sweden for Christmas and needed someone
to cat-sit, Arabella was amazed to see the way they bonded.
She decided to reassess her assumption
that cats were aloof companions and posted on Facebook asking about
the most suitable breeds. Many people pointed her to the Maine Coon,
a cat native to the U.S. She was excited to learn that they were
friendly, intelligent, quirky, vocal and even fond of water!
When they brought Thula home from a
local breeder, Iris immediately took to the
fluffy kitten and cradled her in her arms in bed on the first night. Iris
quickly gained confidence with speaking as she tried to tell her new
pet what to do. She seemed to relax around Thula, stroking her ears
and whiskers,and the cat didn't even mind when Iris held her tail.
Because Iris hated the sensation of
things touching her skin, like clothing or water, getting dressed or
taking a bath could be incredibly difficult. But as a water-loving
breed, Thula hopped right in the bathtub. Soon, Iris began to take
all of her baths accompanied by the kitten.
Thula just naturally seemed to know
what Iris needed, adapting her behavior and becoming the perfect
companion. If Iris became impatient in the car, Thula would walk over
and sit on her lap to calm her down. If she had difficulty during the
day or woke up at night, Thula would distract her until she had
settled again.
Mum Arabella is a professional
photographer. She has documented their journey through diary entries
and photographs and now tells Iris’s story in her first book which
includes many of Grace's paintings.
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