My son Dominic

by Carmel Bombardini
(Spalding, Lincolnshire, England)

Two years ago my son Dominic jumped off a Church in Boston, England to his death. He was 20 years old. He was a tall, handsome, intelligent young man but like Ann Bauer's son he had an unimaginable rage inside of him which he admitted himself he couldn't control.

He told his close friend who he loved dearly 'You'd better leave now, because I am going to hurt you.'

When he was young he was a bit hyper active but nothing was ever mentioned at school and his behaviour at home was fine, he always loved his family.

Until Dominic hit puberty and then he suddenly changed from a quiet, respectful and loving son into a living nightmare. He grew into a huge, hairy 6ft 2inch giant of a boy, he ate like a pig, spat and raged and terrorised us.

We lived on eggshells because we were too scared to upset him. We took him everywhere to get help, he had all the scans,MRI, EEG but the doctors said there was nothing wrong with him.

He was sectioned in a top psychiatry hospital but they just let him leave with a valium tablet to keep him quiet.

I could actually write a book about the four years my family and I spent living on eggshells, living in fear of a son who we loved and loved whatever he did to us.

I can really understand so much of what Ann Bauer spoke about in her article and would love to talk further to her and other people who have lived through experiences of this kind.

Dominic's second anniversary is coming up on 23rd October next and we are learning to cope a little with life without him but it will never be the same.

He was never diagnosed with autism but I do believe that it was what he had.
Thank you for listening
Carmel Bombardini
England