Sikhs For Autism

Six months to live.

After being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, one father did not prepare for death. Instead, he began visiting residential facilities for people with disabilities across South Korea. He was looking for a place where his 27-year-old son, who has severe autism spectrum disorder, could live without him. But the only answer he received was, "We cannot admit him."

Jeon Gyeong-cheol is a South Korean author and father. His book “Goodbye, Peter Pan," is an essay that chronicles the time Jeon Gyeong-cheol spent fighting for the future of his son Je-won, who has severe autism, as he faced death.

Je-won cannot express himself in words, and his social age remains at the level of a 2-year-old. The author calls his son "Peter Pan." To him, his son is a precious presence who has given him the innocence of childhood for more than 20 years. His final wish is simple: "For my son to forget home, forget me, and live well on his own in a new place."

But the process of finding a place for his son was harsh. He visited residential facilities for people with disabilities nationwide, only to be turned away again and again.

Some would not even accept an application, citing staff shortages or the possibility of self-harm or aggression toward others. After many setbacks, he finally found a place, only to see the admission fall through twice.

As this desperate story spread through television and writing, support and donations poured in from across the country, and Je-won eventually found a facility that would take him in.

But the father’s determination didn’t end there. He has set his sights on the disability care system as a whole. He has also set a new goal: to build a community for independent living where people with developmental disabilities, including those with severe autism, can continue living in their local communities even after their parents pass away.

That vision has recently led to the concrete step of establishing the Peter Pan Foundation. All royalties from the book will be used to operate the foundation and build the community.

"This was writing I put down with the hope that even just one person would look after my son, who would have to survive alone," Jeon said. "I never dreamed that miracle-like moments I couldn't even imagine would come to us, and I am simply grateful to everyone for all the days up until today."

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