An angry mother has hit out at "ignorant and laughable" comments made by Mersea residents about autism sufferers.
Tracey Gwilliam, of Morley Road, Tiptree, couldn't believe her eyes when she read that nearly 90 Mersea residents had put together a petition opposing a care home for five autistic adults in the town.
They claimed the fear of coming across an autistic person in one of the narrow alleyways would affect their daily lives and routines if the plans were given the go-ahead.
They also said the home would "deeply affect the level of insecurity that the residents would feel".
Mrs Gwilliams, whose 12-year-old son Joshua is autistic, said: "It's quite laughable really.
"Being a mother I've had to fight against this prejudice all of Joshua's life - having people say they have reason to fear them is just a nightmare."
She added if a resident were to bump into someone with autism, they would probably wouldn't even notice.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Friday, February 4, 2005
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