15 April 2025<\/time>\n <\/p>\nRosie O\u2019Donnell has opened up about how her 12-year-old child Clay suffered isolation and fear. <\/p>\n
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Rosie O\u2019Donnell has opened up about how her 12-year-old child Clay suffered isolation and fear<\/p>\n
\nThe comic, 63, recently relocated to Ireland from her home in America in protest at Donald Trump\u2019s second presidency, and she has now told of her youngster\u2019s torment due to their autism and non-binary identity, which means Clay uses the pronouns they\/them.<\/p>\n
\nShe told People: \u201cThey would not leave the house. It was me and Clay. And it got very isolating and very lonely.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nRosie added for years, Clay preferred to remain in their own world \u2013 drawing, watching YouTube clips and retreating into silence. <\/p>\n
\nThe comic and actress feared the worst as she saw Clay\u2019s behaviour becoming increasingly concerning. She said: \u201cI was afraid because Clay\u2019s drawings were getting darker and some of their thoughts were scaring me. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI was very, very afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nRosie and Clay\u2019s world took a turn when they were introduced to a program run by Guide Dogs of America, which pairs inmates with dogs in training for various purposes, including helping children with autism. <\/p>\n
\nThe connection came through an unlikely source \u2013 convicted murderer Lyle Menendez, who had reached out to Rosie after she publicly expressed support for his bid for freedom. <\/p>\n
\nWhen Menendez invited Rosie to visit him in prison, she learned about the program and its potential to help families like hers. <\/p>\n
\nShe added: \u201cI had never been away from Clay for 10 days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBut encouraged by Menendez, she took part in the 10-day training program in February 2024.<\/p>\n
\nThe experience was transformative for Rosie, who said about taking part: \u201cIt was a very emotional bonding experience. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt was one of the most cathartic things that I had ever done as an adult.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nTwo weeks later, Rosie brought home a black lab named Kuma, who quickly became a lifeline for Clay. She said: \u201cWe went inside and her tail was wagging and they were loving each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSince Kuma\u2019s arrival, Rosie says their life has totally changed, adding: \u201cAll of a sudden there was this connective force alive in the house between us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nClay, who struggles with ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), now feels comfortable going out to eat when Kuma is present. <\/p>\n
\nRosie said: \u201cThe dog would lay on Clay’s feet or put her head on their lap, and Clay would able to have a meal with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nShe added about uprooting to Ireland: \u201cIt was something I needed to do for myself and for my child, and for my own sanity.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt turned out to be even more wonderful than I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n
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