'Probably Will's paradise': Family of rescued teen throw support behind farm project - The Age

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But the pair continued to share their extraordinary story on Friday, using their time in the spotlight to throw support behind the expansion of a school and residence for autistic children and their families at a sprawling farm on the outskirts of Mansfield, described by Will's loved ones as his idea of paradise.

"For William, it would be the best thing ever," Mr Ezard told The Age, as he heaped praise on the project being led by Mansfield Autistic Statewide Services (MASS).

"They have a huge project at the moment setting up the farm. If William could voice his preference, he would choose that organisation be the one to benefit out of this scenario. They are just amazing.”

It comes at the end of a huge week for the family, including Will's father Phil, who was out alongside 450 volunteers in one of the state's biggest search efforts.

Will Callaghan after he was found on Mount Disappointment on Wednesday. Credit:AAP

On Friday, Mr Ezard said the wait on the mountain had been "excruciating" for all of them.

"It's been tough [on Phil], I wouldn't even attempt to talk on his behalf ... I wouldn't have wanted to trade places and I felt for him, such a horrible, difficult thing to go through and it is in reality something that all parents of kids with autism, I think, fear and hope won’t happen to them."

"We all hear stories like Will's and just pray and hope and wish for a positive outcome because we all know it may not be and all feel very, very deeply for those involved," he said.

On Friday, Mr Ezard said Will was healthy and returning to home life with gusto, but probably "not as well as he thinks he is".

Will Callaghan, in his stepfather's arms, after being found. His mother Penny follows close behind.Credit:Justin McManus

"He's a true innocent, in the most beautiful of ways."

"He has gone down to the [Portarlington] ferry, it was so nice, the general manager of the ferries happened to be in the area and organised for us go on there and Will had run of the ferry on his own. He had a ball, so thrilled."

Mr Ezard said he hoped the extensive coverage of the search helped the public understand the complexities around caring for children with autism and other disabilities.

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"I really hope it makes a big difference," he said. "I'm under no illusions it will completely turn around the way society deals with people with disabilities. But hopefully the spirit of cooperation and love seen over the last few days will continue and help us all through the difficult time we are going to have with relation to COVID and a recession."

Damian Beasley, a MASS support worker who has worked with Will and his family for years, was one of the autism practitioners on the search scene helping guide police to use the best techniques to help draw the boy out, including decreasing the noise of machinery and vehicles and playing the Thomas the Tank Engine theme.

"I kept on looking into the bush and thinking, I reckon Will is watching us" he said on Friday.

SES volunteers searching for William on Tuesday.Credit:Chis Hopkins

He said Will's fitness and love of nature would have soothed him while out in the bush.

"He loves being outside among nature and enjoying his own time there and really is close to that environment. That's his one, two, three, four choice of where he most liked to be.

"He would have thought it was a bit of an adventure. He's very much at one with his own company.”

Mr Beasley said the expansion of the Mansfield property will allow kids, including Will, to spend more time there and give parents the help they need.

The 40-hectare farm just out of Mansfield in north-east Victoria which has been purchased by Mansfield Autism Statewide Service.

"It's probably Will's paradise. Dams, oak trees, undulating hills, views of snow-capped Mount Buller. A local donated ponies. It's just beautiful."

MASS director Simone Reeves said while the service already runs a small independent school, the purchase of the 40-hectare farm in April gives them the opportunity to expand.

"[Will's story] really highlighted how exhausting it can be being a parent of kids with autism, it's rewarding but also exhausting. The level of vigilance they require, it's 24/7, so they need good quality respite," she said.

"We are in a unique position in that families have the money in their NDIS plan for our service but we don’t have the physical capacity," she said. "We purchased the farm to build an autism friendly environment out here, a residence and school and a family camp.

"It would mean the world to so many families."

Tax deductible donations can be made via the Mansfield Autism Statewide Services's website.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMikgFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3Byb2JhYmx5LXdpbGwtcy1wYXJhZGlzZS1mYW1pbHktb2YtcmVzY3VlZC10ZWVuLXRocm93LXN1cHBvcnQtYmVoaW5kLWZhcm0tcHJvamVjdC0yMDIwMDYxMi1wNTUyNHEuaHRtbNIBAA?oc=5

2020-06-12 09:50:38Z
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