Sunny Chan and son promote autism awareness
7 May – Actor Sunny Chan and son, Edgar Chan, the latter who was diagnosed with mild autism three years ago, recently appeared in a campaign intended to increase the public's awareness about autism and autistic children.
As reported on Jayne Stars website, a representative from Heep Hong Society stated, "We hope to use Sunny's positive attitude to convey the message that acknowledging the situation is the first step to helping their children live a normal and fulfilling life."
The actor, who is currently in Suzhou to film an upcoming Chinese drama, expressed in a telephone interview, "Heep Hong Society has been very supportive to my family over these years. Their present campaign is also important because it calls out to the fathers to be more proactive in their children's lives."
The "Ghost Writer" actor took a year-long hiatus from work to fully care for Edgar when they first found out about his condition. The doting father is not afraid that his son being labelled "different", and is happy to discuss about his son's challenges and achievements.
Sunny stressed, "Public awareness will help people with similar situation to overcome stigma, similar to how patients with mental problems are no longer ostracised."
It was reported that with Sunny and wife, Ada To's perseverance and care, Edgar has turned from an antisocial boy to one who interacts well with his parents. Edgar will also join the rest of his peers in a mainstream primary school in September this year.
