Peter Beddie - Bundaberg

Lorraine and Peter Beddie from Bundaberg

My son Peter was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome during primary school. He is now 17 and working at a recycling depot. We are just an ordinary family who have learned to live with a child with a disability and didn't think we had anything positive to offer until a seemingly small incident happened.

Peter has been working now for two-and-a-half years and has only had one day off sick, but that was not always so. While he was at school, if he was stressed he would put his head on the desk and just turn "off". We were always at the school trying to sort out many problems. Even at home we have minor problems such as boiling the kettle after it has been boiled (we've been through three kettles already this year).

Last month, while on holidays we went on a day bus tour. Peter thoroughly enjoyed it and was looking forward to going on another tour this month so I paid for his fare. The bus trip was scheduled on a work day, and the day before we were due to go, I told Peter that he should tell his bosses that he was not feeling too well and may not be at work the next day.

When he asked why, I explained to him that if he just took the day off, he wouldn't get paid for it but if he pretended to be sick, he would. Well you should have seen the horrified look on his face and he said, "That doesn't sound right". He decided right then that he would not take the day off from work.

After thinking about it, I realised Peter was right. I just want people to know how proud I am of him and how humbling it is to learn from him.