Winning at lockdown: creativity has been the key for Charles

Charles Blake (25) lives with sensory processing disorder and autism, so for him life can be frustrating at the best of times.

He can’t speak, but uses a technique called RPM, which involves a letter board, to communicate.

Charles lives alone, with carers helping him, and he was anxious his way of life would change with the coronavirus pandemic taking 
hold.

He said: “I was so worried the first time I heard about coronavirus.

“I was so concerned that I would have to go somewhere else and I would not be near Mum, so it would be harder than ever if I got the virus.

“I have managed to stay with my team; Susan and Claire have been brilliant to keep me focussed on what matters.”

Charles was also helped to remember other people were also facing a strange situation, with self isolation and restricted movement, and so he wanted to help.

He said: “We have written and posted letters of support to the neighbours in my village.

“I have also collected some food and toiletries to take to the new free church to give to others who may not be as fortunate as me.”

However, Charles’s main focus has been on his enterprise - Crazy Crafts.

This is something he has been doing for some time, with the support of his mum, Geraldine.

Charles hand crafts a wide range of items - from bunting to bags and pot holders to paintings.

He is also very keen on upcycling and recycling, with old records one of the items he refashions into bowls.

While his daily routine has been interrupted, Charles says he has managed to keep his reactions down by concentrating on crafting.

He said: “I have kept very busy.

“I have worked so hard on my enterprise that I have been selling so much that I should be taking money to the bank again.

“So it is good keeping busy.

“My hobbies have saved me from boredom.”

The bunting has been a particular good seller, especially around VE Day.

Charles added: “People can hang it up to cheer themselves up and to show they have survived lockdown.”

Proceeds from the sales of his items goes straight back into Crazy Crafts to help him buy more materials and to improve his skills with help of professional crafters and teachers.

And both Charles and his mum have nothing but praise for the Market Rasen businesses who are helping to sell the items.

Charles said: “The Green Life Pantry lady is so very kind selling the things I have made.

“The pet shop has also got my merchandise.”

Geraldine added: “They really are lovely people and have been so supportive, selling Charles’s items.

“It is good to look to the positives in this way.”

Charles too is looking at the positives from life in lockdown.

He said: “There hasn’t been much going out, but I have enjoyed lots of walks.

“It is so important to stay safe, but I hope we can soon not have to stay indoors so much.

“I like going to places. I look forward to going to an exciting place.”

When asked what he would mainly like to do when lockdown finally ends, he said: “I really think climbing, swimming and a very interesting building.”

One other thing Charles will be doing is keeping up with the new skills he has learned.

Geraldine said: “It is strange to say, but Charles has flourished, in fact he has said ‘lockdown has been good for me’.

“One of the skills he has been able to develop is using the iPad and computer to connect with our wider family.

“He has been communicating via email with our wider family - both in this country and across the world.

“Charles is highly intelligent and has opinions on everything, so this is a good way for him to express himself.”

However, Charles and his mum Geraldine are now facing another challenge.

Charles turns 26 shortly and, under the current system, his education will cease.

This will mean his arts and crafts support will go and he will no longer have a tutor.

Geraldine said: “How can they take it all away from him?

“He needs this stimulation.”

And it is something Charles, too, is very keen to progress with.

Charles says the RPM communication system has changed his life.

With no way of communicating, he has described his life before RPM as what he ‘imagined hell would be like’.

He said: “That time of my life was not pleasant.

“Everyone spoke to me as if I was stupid, so that angered me. I tried to stop them in the only way I knew. It made me violent, so that made me even more unpopular.

“I became more aggressive in the moments when I was not able to tell those looking after me what I wanted.

“I put up with so much to not be treated in the way I deserved.

“It was the best thing ever when Mum took me to meet Alex (his RPM tutor).

“I was so amazed when Alex showed me a letter board.

“She then taught me a lesson and showed me that I could answer questions by slowly pointing to letters.

“I was at last able to show that I understood when people were talking.

“I had at last got the chance I had been waiting for, for so many years.”

Now, Charles’s family is fighting for him to keep that chance for communication and a fulfilling life by pursuing the right to have a personal package.

This will mean he will be able to spend money on the things he wants to do - continue his education, including developing his skills with RPM, and carry on with his arts and crafts.

Geraldine said: “This package means he would live the life he wants.

“He wants to continue learning. He wants a social life. He wants friends.

“He just needs to get the support package in place to be able to do that.”