Soldiers bond to highlight autism

A NORTHSIDE soldier has told how he and his colleagues have bonded through their experiences of having children with autism.

The 106th Infantry Battalion, made up mostly of soldiers from Dublin, returned from a six-month tour of Lebanon in November.

Since returning the courageous army men and women have focused their efforts on raising money and awareness of autism, a charity close to their hearts.

Aircorps soldier Tom Magee, from Cromcastle Drive in Coolock, is one of the soldiers who has a child with autism.

Tom’s seven-year-old son was officially diagnosed with autism on the same day as he learned he was to be deployed to the Lebanon.

“He was very late getting a diagnosis even though my wife had suspected from when he was much younger that it was a possibility,

? Tom told Northside People.

“She kept fighting and pushing for support and a diagnosis.

“It wasn’t a surprise but it was hard to get the official diagnosis, made only more difficult when given the news that I was to be deployed.

“The decision to go was very tough but I learned that I wasn’t the only soldier who had to make the decision to leave a family with a child with autism.

?

While on duty, Tom, who serves as a radio operator, met and spoke with many soldiers who were directly or indirectly affected by autism.

“I know it might sound weird but I was very grateful to meet and talk to someone else in the same situation,

? he added.

“It’s only when you start talking about it that you realise how many people are affected by autism in one way or another.

?

Fellow soldier Mark Greaney, whose son Senan has autism, explained why the battalion have rallied together to support autism awareness.

“Myself and other parents of children with autism have faced long waits to get our children diagnosed and get them the help that they need,

? he told Northside People.

“We found it very difficult to get information about the assessment process and services available for our children.

“Irish Autism Action is a great charity that offers practical support and advice to families of children with autism so we decided very early on that this would be our chosen charity.

?

Mr Greaney said a chance visit from former Republic of Ireland soccer star Damien Duff to the troops in July provided the tool through which the battalion is raising money for the cause.

“He (Duff) visited the Lebanon on a morale boosting trip for the troops so I decided to ask him would he like to donate something for our charity as a prize,

? explained Mark.

“He very kindly donated the Irish jersey that he wore when he won his 100th cap and captained Ireland against Italy in both his final game for his country and Ireland’s final game of the European Championships.

?

The 106th Infantry Battalion have chosen to sell the memento in an online charity auction bid where the jersey will be awarded to the person whose bid matches a number chosen at random.

The battalion hopes to raise over e5,000 through the auction, which can be viewed online through www.mycharity.ie/event/106thbatallion