My Name is Patrick and I am 9 years old.

I have Asperger’s disorder.

My first contact with pigeons was at the North Central Florida Pigeon Fanciers Show in January 2007.  At the show my mother and I walked among the cages looking at these cool and cute birds. In the sale area we came upon some fantail pigeons. I took a liking to them. We wanted to purchase the fantails, but the gentleman owner gave us 4 of them.

At first I thought they would bite me, so I kept my hands away from them. I am afraid of animals. My mom held one in her hands and showed me they would not bite. I stroked the bird and we took them home.

Later we converted our chicken coop in to a pigeon coop. I helped my mom with this. I am not much on cleaning the coop as I am very sensitive to smell. (I am hypersensitive to touch, taste, smell and sound.)

I also helped trim the rear feathers to help in breeding.

When I feed and water them, I like to give them a petting and just look at my birds.

Mr. and Mrs. Rex are sitting on eggs and I watch to see when they will hatch

I love my pigeons especially the rust colored cock, “Mr. Rex”. I also have two cocks that are named “Rex One” and “Rex Two”. 

I like petting them and looking into their pretty soft eyes and feel their soft feathers.  

I can now catch them by myself and this gives me a nice feeling. Also listening to them cooing is a soft sound that does not bother my sensitivity to sound.

Mom and I were curious to the taste of a pigeon egg, so she cooked one. Just like a chicken egg, but too small for a meal.

I don’t have many friends, because other kids don’t understand my disorder. My pigeons are the greatest, are my friends, and they have opened up a new world for me.

Note: Patrick’s story was written with the input from NPA Junior Member Patrick, his mother Kim, and Bill Burnside, National Pigeon Association Representative Florida

Bill Burnside writes:

Recently I had a visit with Kim and Patrick. He is a nice kid who is very, very enthusiastic and super active. I found out he can out talk me, which is quite an accomplishment.

I told Patrick I was getting a pair of pigeons with real curly feathers (Frillback). I invited him to name the birds. The white cock is now named “King Squanto” and the black hen is “Brockly”. Yes, you read it correctly! From young minds come the best pigeon names.

(Thank you to the gentleman at the show who showed an interest in Patrick by giving him some birds. Your help opened a new world for this child)