Canberra boy Logan McCarthy and his family love Ricky Stuart not only because he is the super-coach of their favourite team, the Raiders, but because he has made an incredibly positive difference in their life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Logan, who has autism, has been to every home game of the Raiders bar one this season and, contrary to the stereotype of his condition, absolutely loves the noise, bright lights and throngs of people.
"He is even enjoying the Viking Clap and can do the Viking Clap," mum Lucy said
Logan, who is largely non-verbal, has also learnt to kick a football and loves meeting the players after the game.
"Jack Wighton is always really good with him and comes up and says, 'Hello'," Lucy said.
The Gungahlin family credits Stuart with also giving them a new lease on life. Since the Ricky Stuart House opened in Chifley in February, Logan has been able to go there for a week or a weekend every month, giving his family some respite.
"Without that, we would be a complete mess," Lucy said, with a laugh.
Anyone who saw the A Current Affair episode about the opening of the house may remember Logan who was filmed constantly running away as the team tried to interview his dad Jason.
Lucy said that was just life for the family, which also includes sister Jenna, 13, and Kellan, eight.
"He's constantly trying to run away. He is always looking for ceiling fans, because he loves things that go around," she said.
"You're constantly on edge. 'Is the front door locked?', 'Is the garage door open?' 'Has he got out of the garage door?' Friends ask us over but we always say it's easier to come to ours because we know our place is secure'."
Lucy said Ricky Stuart, who's daughter Emma has autism, understood everything they had to cope with as a family.
"At the opening of the house, he came over and gave my husband a big hug and you could see we were connecting as parents, not as Ricky Stuart the Coach," she said.
