Why we ride: Nash and Orlando’s story

Orlando’s story

Told by his father Nash

When my son Orlando was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD Level 3) at just three years old, I had no idea what autism truly was or how to help him. As a banker by profession, my instinct was to find solutions. I thought there would be a quick fix, maybe with the help of doctors or medication. But I soon learned that autism isn’t something to “fix.” It’s a lifelong journey – a marathon, not a sprint.

At three years old, Orlando faced many challenges. He was non-verbal and had global developmental delays. Often struggling to express his basic needs he was late to reach milestones such as toilet training. He found it difficult to connect with others, relied on strict routines to feel safe, and experienced explosive, and heartbreaking meltdowns.

After a lot of research, I found AEIOU Foundation, and that’s where Orlando’s learning journey began.

AEIOU Foundation 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.

But just as we were finding our rhythm, life threw us another challenge.

“AEIOU Foundation 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.“

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 Icon Cancer Centre Greenslopes. 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.”

“When someone in your family faces both autism and cancer, it’s not just the patient who goes through it – the whole family does.“

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. She taught me what real strength and grace looks 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. 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. He still believes his mum lives in the hospital.

“Both AEIOU Foundation and Icon 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.“