Mum’s story gets to Number 1 slot

9:48am Friday 27th June 2008

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MOTHER Jan Greenman, whose story of living with an autistic son Luke has become a best seller, has tugged heart strings with other struggling families.

Mrs Greenman, who lives in The Parklands, Hullavington, wrote Life at the Edge in a bid to help other families cope with an autistic child.

Last Sunday the book reached the Number One slot in its category on Amazon.com and was displayed at the Los Angeles Book Fayre earlier this month.

It has also been featured in the national newspapers and through it, Luke, 16, has met his hero, racing driver Nigel Mansell who endorsed the book.

In February, Luke shared a platform with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and last week he addressed a seminar of doctors at Bath Royal United Hospital.

Mrs Greenman, who lives with her husband, North Wiltshire District councillor Howard and Luke, who has Aspergers Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and who suffers from anxiety.

She also has a daughter Abby, 14, and four step sons.

Mrs Greenman says parents in her situation are offered no help and she hopes the book can act as inspiration to others.

"In the past Luke has been violent and aggressive towards me and I have had to call the police," she said. "It's not pretty but Luke has been brave to not mind sharing the worst side of himself with society.

"A lot of mums cry when they hear Luke speak because they suddenly get a glimpse into the thoughts of their own child, who suffers from the same conditions."

Luke was expelled from Malmesbury School for disruptive behaviour and now goes to Springfield, a special school in Calne.

"Springfield has totally turned his life around and he gets the help he needs," said his mother.

"He says he is now the best of the worst instead of the worst of the best.

"Autism is a very complicated condition and it is very difficult to understand it.

"That's why we both hope this book can help people understand it, make sense of it and change their perceptions."

She said she was immensely proud of her son who had to work very hard to get where he is today.

Life At The Edge is available from Amazon.com and Malmesbury Abbey bookshop. Mother and son also signed the book in Waterstones, Chippenham, last Saturday.