Orlando’s Journey: Why We Ride
When my son Orlando was diagnosed with autism (ASD Level 3) at just three years old, I had no idea what autism truly meant or how to help him. As a banker by profession, my instinct was to find solutions — I thought there must be a quick fix, maybe through doctors or medication. But I soon learned that autism isn’t something to “fix.” It’s a lifelong journey — a marathon, not a sprint.
After a lot of research, I found AEIOU Foundation, and that’s where Orlando’s learning journey began.
At three years old, Orlando faced many challenges:
- He was non-verbal and had global developmental delays
- He wasn’t toilet trained until he was almost seven
- He couldn’t sit still for more than a minute or hold a spoon
- He struggled to connect with other children, often hitting or avoiding them
- He needed strict routines — even driving the same route every day to avoid triggers
- He would go days without eating or sleep only a few hours a night
- He didn’t understand when he was hungry or tired
- And meltdowns could be explosive and heartbreaking
AEIOU was instrumental in helping Orlando through these early years. The therapies, the guidance, and the connections with other parents gave us the tools and community we desperately needed. Thanks to AEIOU, Orlando was able to transition to a special school — a huge milestone for our family.
My family's cancer story
But just as we were finding our rhythm, life threw us another challenge.
My wife, Aileen — Orlando’s mum — was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.
It started with what we thought was just a winter cough that wouldn’t go away. After several GP visits, scans, and referrals, we met our oncologist Dr Keith Horwood at Greenslopes who worked with the Icon Cancer Centre. From the moment we met him, we knew we were in the right hands. He was kind, patient, and open-minded. Aileen’s cancer was very rare, but Dr Horwood explored every possible option. He found a clinical trial she could join and guided us through every stage of her treatment with care, empathy, and professionalism. He always had a plan — and he was always there.
When someone in your family faces both autism and cancer, it’s not just the patient who goes through it — the whole family does. I was Aileen’s support person while also caring for Orlando. It was incredibly hard for the three of us to manage, especially with Orlando’s additional needs. I had to stay strong, be present, and stay positive every single day. I kept telling myself: if you give up, it’s over.
Aileen’s courage was extraordinary. Despite being very unwell, she was determined to stay fit, eat well, and keep going — not just for herself, but for Orlando. Initially, she was given only a short time to live, but through sheer will and the support of her medical team, she gave us two and a half more precious years. She never got angry or bitter. Instead, she taught me what real strength and grace look like.
The care we received from the team at Icon was nothing short of incredible. They see hundreds of patients every week, yet they made Aileen — and us — feel like family. Their compassion, guidance, and encouragement helped us stay positive through the darkest days.
When Aileen passed away, Orlando was Eight. He still believes his mum lives in the hospital. It’s something I’ll never have the words to explain to him. Losing her was the hardest moment of our lives, and it brought many challenges for Orlando as he tried to understand the world without her. Being non-verbal means he can’t express his feelings, and I’ve had to learn how to interpret every sound, every look, every action.
Autism has taught me so much. It’s shown me how people you thought would stay close sometimes drift away — but it’s also revealed the kindness of strangers who become family.
It’s taught me patience, resilience, and how to love our own unique world just as it is.
Because despite everything, there’s so much beauty in how Orlando experiences life.
He sees the world differently.
He’s happiest in his own space, with my undivided attention.
He may never become a scientist, lawyer, or doctor — but he will grow into a kind, pure-hearted young man who spreads joy and love with his smile.
That’s why I’m so grateful for your involvement in this event — for Orlando, for AEIOU, and for the Icon Cancer Foundation.
Both organisations have been there for my family in ways words can’t express. Every kilometre, every dollar, every moment you dedicate to this event helps families like mine find hope, healing, and strength to keep going.
Thank you for being part of this journey — and for helping change lives, one pedal at a time.
Warm regards,
Nash
