A Manitoba mother wants help keeping tabs on her son, who lives with autism. Like any mom, Shayleen Chartrand keeps a close eye on her 10-year-old son at the playground, but she has to be more diligent than most parents. “He just doesn’t have a sense of like danger,” said Chartrand. When he was two, Brixton was diagnosed with autism. “He really wasn’t hitting his milestones appropriately. He was walking on his toes, he was flapping his hands a lot, he also wasn’t really trying to talk or communicate as much.” Chartrand said Brixton also likes to run; in a split second he could be out the door and gone if one lock is missed. She said he has gone missing before, one time for a few hours. Luckily he was found safe and sound. “He could die,” said Chartrand. “He could get hit by a car, he could drown, it’s a big fear. He could get taken because he doesn’t understand.” She wants to get set up with a tracking device for Brixton, like a wrist bracelet, from the non-profit organization Project Lifesaver Manitoba. The wristband emits a signal that can be tracked on the ground for 1.5 kilometres and in the air for several kilometres. Project Lifesaver said the cost for the initial bracelet is around $600, plus a $20 monthly fee for the replacement of the battery, bracelet, and administrative costs. There can be a reduced fee pending sponsorships. Still, Chartrand said the cost is out of reach for her right now. She’d like the province to provide funding for families like her and Brixton. “I don’t think parents should have to choose between their financial stability and keeping their child safe.” In a statement, Minister of Families Nahanni Fontaine said her heart goes out to any parent who lives with the additional fear of their child wandering away. “Our government is committed to ensuring children with disabilities and their families have access to the supports they need to thrive,” she said. “I understand this family has reached out to my office, and we have reached out to them and to their case manager to learn more about their situation and better understand how we can support them. Hearing directly from families helps us better understand the challenges they face and identify opportunities to strengthen the supports available to Manitobans, and we appreciate them bringing this issue forward.” Chartrand is speaking out because of the tragedy in Calgary, where the body of a missing 11-year-old boy with autism was found after a two-week search. “Within a drop of a dime, it could just be your family,” said Chartrand.
