Tyson Fury boosts Michael Lee’s crusade for kids with autism
Michael Lee is a determined and courageous single dad with two linked missions: to love and care for his two sons, Tucker and Wisdom, who are both non-verbal autistic; and to campaign to raise awareness about autism among the Traveller communities.
“My fight is to get answers for autistic children, to get better education, to get faster medical attention and more people trained in the field to support these kids one-to-one because it's about building bridges to these children,” says Michael Lee, who is settled in Blackpool.
“Traveller mums and dads also need get educated about autism, so we can support our children better,” adds Michael Lee.
“This is what I am fighting for.”
Part of Michael Lee’s campaign included a recent trip to Cumbria along with 37 of his pals to climb Scafell Pike – the highest mountain in England.
Among the men gathering at the foot of the mountain getting ready to start the gruelling climb was Tyson Fury, who had turned up to lend his support.
“I'm very close to his cousin Phill Fury,” explains Michael Lee. He is a very good friend and we were talking about the campaign and the climb and Phill said, ‘should I ask Tyson?’”
“I said give him an ask. See if, he's going to come, and Phill rang him, Tyson then rung Phill back and said he’s going to come – but just keep it quiet for now.”
Tyson Fury’s support has given a big boost to Michael Lee’s campaign to raise awareness and, he believes, was critical in getting some great local coverage on the BBC about his campaign, which has by no means ended with the Scafell Pike climb.
"I want to thank each and every single person - my cousins and my friends - who turned out," said Michael Lee. "I've known most of you half my life and I am grateful for every one of you who came along."
Next in Michael Lee’s sights are Ben Nevis and Snowdonia, the two tallest mountains in Scotland and Wales respectively, and part of the ‘Three Peak Challenge’, of which Scafell Pike was the first peak which Michael Lee’s pals climbed.
The weekend after Scafell Pike, Michael Lee and friends took part in the Spartan Beast – a 15-mile obstacle course with 30 massive obstacles to clamber over, through and under.
Michael Lee also wishes to thank the Gypsy Traveller League, who he says has helped a lot in raising awareness about autism among Gypsy and Traveller communities through their massive social media accounts.
A spokesperson from the Gypsy Traveller League told the Travellers Times that their mission has always been to give a voice to their people, and Michael’s strength and dedication is a shining example of what Gypsies and Travellers can achieve when they stand together.
“The Gypsy Traveller League (GTL) proudly stands in support of our community members, especially those who are raising awareness around important issues such as autism,” said the GTL spokesperson.
“We are deeply appreciative that Michael Lee reached out to us for support, and we have done everything we can to stand alongside him – both through our organisation and through the personal friendship he shares with our founder, John Riley,” added the GTL spokesperson, before promising their continued support.
“Michael has worked tirelessly to bring awareness around autism, not only within our community but also to the wider public – through the BBC, through national articles, charity events, and even with the support of Tyson Fury. GTL recognises and respects the incredible work Michael has done, and we will continue to support him and all Traveller families facing similar challenges,” they said.
Another support organisation that Michael Lee wants to give a shout out to is the charity Ambitious about Autism, who have produced the video below where young autistic people explain what it’s like to be autistic.
The gruelling physical challenges are in many ways the easy bit in Michael Lee’s life as a proud single father to two autistic children, as getting the care and support for Wisdom and Tucker can be even more gruelling in the face of indifference, incompetence and prejudice among the local and national authorities that should be providing support to struggling families.
Tucker and Wisdom are nearly at school age - with one boy able to go to a mainstream school and the other boy needing a special school - and Michael Lee has already been turned down by all the schools he has applied to.
“The local mainstream schools said they can't meet the needs and the other schools said they never had enough places,” said Michael Lee.
“Part of this is racism – our children get trashed for being who they are even when they are not autistic.”
“I rang one of the special schools who had refused me because they said they had no places back using a different name – and this time they said had places available.”
Michael Lee is currently in dialogue with that school to get the initial decision reversed – so watch this space…
The Travellers Times asked Michael Lee two questions at the end of our phone interview; one was what was it like being a parent of two autistic children and where did he get his strength from? And the other question was what advice would he give to parents who have children that have just received a diagnosis of autism? Michael Lee took the time to write a beautiful statement in response to our two questions, which we publish in full below:
It’s been very hard, and very draining — mentally, physically, and emotionally … writes Michael Lee.
But in that struggle, by God’s grace, I’ve also achieved a lot. All praise and glory to Him.
I took my boys all the way to New York for stem cell therapy, changed their diet, got them on a good probiotic detox, switched to almond milk, and most importantly, got them into a very good and stable routine in a loving, stable home. That’s been one of my biggest achievements for them. Alongside that, I’ve fought hard to raise awareness for autism — especially around education and medical support, which are both so delayed.
Our journey has also inspired challenges. We climbed Scafell Pike, inspired by Wisdom and Tucker. Then my pal Jamesie Watts organised the Spartan Beast — 15 miles with 30 brutal obstacles — to raise awareness for autism and Alzheimer’s. We completed that too. Now, we’re preparing to take on Snowdonia on the 7th of next month, and then we’ll climb Ben Nevis and more beyond that.
What keeps me going is the pure love I have for my boys. Truthfully, I don’t even know where I get the energy from, because I don’t get much sleep at all. But, like the Bible says, God is our strength. I pray a lot, and I go to church when I can. That’s what carries me through.
I’ve also been blessed with the support of friends and family. My sister, Violet Lee, has been a big help. My cousins Louie Beaney and her husband Henry Beaney and their daughter Whitney Beaney have been very good to me and the kids — especially Lou, who even came with me to New York. She’s helped me a lot and really supported me in getting into a good routine with my boys.
If I had some advice for Traveller families who receive an autism diagnosis, it would be this: be ready to put in a lot of time, patience, and effort. I can only speak from my own two boys, but what I’ve learned is that you must build bridges. I don’t look at my kids and think they’re different from any other child, even though they are. I talk to them like any other child, and I try to understand their ways.
My two boys are non-verbal, so meltdowns are often just frustration because they can’t express themselves. In those moments, I come down to their level calmly and tell them, “It’s okay. Show Dad what you want. Show Dad what’s up.” Once we figure it out, they’re happy again — smiling, cuddling, kissing me — and we move on to the next obstacle together. Sometimes it’s as simple as a broken toy — they get frustrated, but if I stay patient and redirect them, they soon forget and move on. Patience, love, and care are everything. When you build those bridges, the children also start building back towards you. That’s what I’ve found with my boys, thank God.
We’re in a good routine now, but what’s still lacking is proper school and education. One-to-one support in schools is a massive factor for autistic children, and it’s something that still isn’t in place as it should be.
I would also say this: I believe I’m the only Gypsy man in England to get up and speak out like I have, out of many parents in all cultural backgrounds. I’ve done interviews with That’s TV Lancashire, I’ve been featured in BBC articles, and the BBC has even been out twice to interview me. The young journalist Molly as spoken directly with the Department for Education, and there are big things still to come.
This is bigger than me everyone in the Gypsy and Travelling community and even outside of our community in all opportunities should get behind me support me back me help me and together we win, it’s about standing up for the little children, giving them a voice, and fighting for a better future. I’ll keep doing it, with God before me, paving the way.
We’re in a good routine now, but what’s still lacking is proper school and education. One-to-one support in schools is a massive factor for autistic children, and it’s something that still isn’t in place as it should be.
Mike Doherty for Travellers Times News
(All images courtesy of Michael Lee)
