Our son, our only child, Michael Baxby, took his own life on 19 November 2023. We will remember him for his generosity, kindness, passion, humour, and many unbelievable talents.

Michael had a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, which today is simply called autism, but both of us, and many people whose paths crossed with our Michael's, and all his friends, firmly believe that he was simply a GENIUS.

Michael was a BORN aeronautical engineer. There was never any doubt about his career choice. All he ever wanted to do almost from the time he was a toddler he was barely four was to design aircraft. Start talking to him about anything to do with a wing or an engine design, and even while walking to the top of Ben Nevis — 1345m, aged 8 — without even noticing the climb, he would describe the concepts of a wing or an engine design, in details well beyond his age, with clear 3D images of what he was 'designing' in his head.

He excelled at school, even though his approach to many tasks was, as described by his teachers, rather 'unusual'. He was never satisfied with anything less than perfection, and never grasped the concept that 99% in an exam would give him an 'A', but so would 'only', as he would put it, so would 81%! The extent he was prepared to go, to achieve such standards was a bit much — close to madness.

Yet at no point throughout his entire primary, secondary and sixth-form education did anyone mention the possibility of Asperger's Syndrome.

In 2003, Michael followed his dream — an aeronautical engineering Master's degree course at the University of Cambridge. This is when his autism started causing him serious problems. His perfectionism, bordering on obsession, was just about sustainable at school, but certainly not at Cambridge. He was clearly struggling, but would not change his approach to the course. This insatiable thirst for learning resulted in him having to take three mental health-related sick leaves between 2003 and 2009.

By the time Michael received a formal diagnosis in 2009 at the age of 24, he was already drained and burned out — obsessively seeking out knowledge and perfection. Eventually, Michael’s physical and mental health deteriorated, and he crashed out of Cambridge — and now out of life.

Autism: a global concern

Autism is a set of neurodevelopmental conditions which can present differently in autistic people. Autistic people may have differences in their style of communication and relating to others socially, and experience anxiety because of unexpected change. Autistic people may show atypical learning styles with unusually narrow interests, excellent attention to detail and pattern recognition skills. Autism is an example of neurodiversity. About 1-2% of the UK population is autistic, and autism affects people of all genders.

More autism research is desperately needed. Without a serious focus on autism research, nothing will ever change for autistic people like Michael and so many others!

That’s why, in memory of Michael, we are raising money to support cutting-edge research at the University of Cambridge Autism Research Centre (ARC) led by Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, a world-renowned autism researcher and former president of the International Society for Autism Research. Any donation will help make a big difference in the lives of autistic people and those who love them.

Please help Michael's family and friends in their quest!

Thank you,

Tanya and Carl Baxby