Our Diet Pact Killed My Son

All Melanie Brazier, 52, wanted was to lose weight and get healthy, but for her son it wasn’t that simple.

- Frances Leate And Hattie Bishop

My son Stevie was an active lad, roaring around on his scooter or BMX bike. He was obsessed with cars too, especially Vauxhall Corsas.

And from one week tothe next, he had become fascinated with somethingnew, going to skateboarding or motocross rallies with his big brother Nick. His dad Steve and I couldn’t keep up. ‘Calm down!’ I’d tell him as he rushed around.

Stevie had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at eight, which meant he was prone to develop the odd obsession. It was harmless enough, but his condition also meant he was socially awkward, struggling to make friends. It broke my heart watching kids walking back from school together, with Stevie trailing behind on his own.

Piling on the pounds

He hated school so much that after he turned 12 in May 2005, we decided to get a home tutor. Afterwards he seemed much happier and started to make friends at the skate park. But he never wanted to be too far away from me. ‘Love you, Mum,’ he’d say, snuggling up to watch EastEnders.

After his GCSEs, he went to work with his dad as a kitchen fitter. But, tired from his job, he stopped being so active. Food had always been a big part of family life. We’d have home-cooked dinners most evenings, and then Stevie and I would sit on the sofa, scoffing chocolate. We loved our filmnights, and at weekends we’d have popcorn and hot dogs washed down with fizzy drinks. Steve and Nick were built differently, never seemed to put on weight, but before I knew it, Stevie and I had really piled on the pounds.