Uncle Alex gets his senses working overtime
THE uncle of a young lad who attends Loughborough’s Ashmount School embarked on a 20-mile charity walk, blindfolded and wearing ear defenders, to raise awareness of autism.
Alex Kowal, aged 37, said: “My nephew was diagnosed as autistic at the age of three.
“When the family was told, we were upset and wondered what we could do to help him.
“Ever since my nephew attended Ashmount Special School in Loughborough, he has been a completely different child. He is more open and there is a smile on his face every time I see him.
“To thank his school and to raise awareness of autism, I decided to set myself the challenge of walking 20 miles from my home in Wigston to Ashmount School in Loughborough, without the aid of many of my senses.”
Alex was blindfolded and wore ear defenders muffling out all background sounds, and was unable to speak for the whole duration of the walk.
He added: “Some people with autism can have sensitive senses that can cause them to have an outburst, so I wanted to have my sight and hearing taken away and refrained from talking throughout the walk.”
Family and friends were allocated one mile legs of the journey each in relay and guided Alex by linking arms with him and using body sign language to communicate.
Alex had been made aware of the start and finish points but was completely unaware of the route or which volunteers were helping him at any particular time.
Alex completed his journey in eight hours and 45mins, a full two hours ahead of the expected time.
Ashmount Headteacher David Deacon said: “We are incredibly proud of Alex for setting himself such an ambitious challenge and for completing it in such a good time.
“We would like to thank Alex and all of the friends and family members who supported him on his journey.
“The funds raised will make a huge difference.”
More than £1,300 was raised by Alex, which will be shared equally between Ashmount Special School and the National Autistic Society.