Paul Mullin Discusses Son’s Autism

Wrexham ahead Paul Mullin mentioned “soccer comes second” to his household when discussing his son, Albi’s autism throughout Welcome to Wrexham.

“It doesn’t matter,” Mullin, 28, shared in the course of the second episode of the FX docuseries’ season 2, which premiered on Tuesday, September 19. “He’s an important factor for me.”

Mullin welcomed Albi with spouse Mollie O’Brien in 2019. He joined Wrexham AFC in July 2021, and followers of the staff — together with The Declan Swans music group — have had solely constructive reactions to his addition to the staff.

“He’s an honest bloke,” Declan Swans member Mark Jones shared in the course of the third episode of Welcome to Wrexham season 2, which was additionally launched on September 19. “Nothing big-headed about him. Appears good. I haven’t met him myself, however perhaps someday we’ll.”

Mullin publicly revealed their son’s autism prognosis through X (previously Twitter) this previous January.

“Final week my little boy was identified with autism fortunately I’ve nice individuals round me to assist,” he wrote on the time. “Albi being Autistic doesn’t imply nothing he’s a cheerful and wholesome boy no completely different to anybody else! Just some hurdles in his means that am positive he’ll clear!”

Throughout Welcome to Wrexham season 2, Mullin shared some perception into his house life, additional discussing Albi’s prognosis.

The primary 12 months of Albi’s life he was hitting all of the milestones … Then Albi began to regress,” Mullin shared. “He stopped making eye contact with me and his mother and anybody, actually. He didn’t copy. He didn’t attempt to make sounds anymore.

Whereas Mullin and his spouse have a plan for Albi relating to college, the footballer can’t assist however really feel some degree of guilt.

“He’s a cheerful lad, enjoys each single day. Makes me smile. He doesn’t discuss,” Mullin shared in a separate confessional. “He’s nonverbal, however he may as effectively discuss as a result of I do know precisely every little thing he wants and when he wants it. He’s a pleasure. I wouldn’t change him for the world.”

One candy second within the episode confirmed Mullin and Wrexham AFC coowner Ryan Reynolds watching a video of Albi counting.

“He’s simply accomplished it out of the blue the opposite week,” Mullin mentioned. Reynolds replied, “Oh, however that’s so good although.”

Followers had been additionally launched to Wrexham AFC fan Millie Tipping, who additionally has autism, and sits within the stadium’s “quiet zone” throughout every soccer recreation.

All through the episode, Tipping spoke about connecting with the Wrexham footballers and the way being a fan of the staff allowed her to develop her degree of confidence.

At one level, Tipping met up with Mullin and introduced him with a present bag for Albi earlier than a Wrexham recreation.

“I received Albi a present. It’s stuff [that] I exploit to calm me down,” Tipping mentioned. Mullen replied, “Thanks a lot. I believe Albi can be so pleased with this.”

In the course of the recreation — which Wrexham received — Mullin made an “A” together with his fingers for Albi each time he scored a objective.

“So long as we will make him smile on daily basis, we’re doing one thing proper,” the athlete mentioned.

New episodes of Welcome to Wrexham premiere Tuesdays on FX.