How AEIOU brings hope
Take a Hike Sunday fundraiser supports valuable foundation
KELLIE Monckton was scared when she first walked into the AEIOU Foundation in Toowoomba with her two-year-old son, Hunter.
The toddler had just been diagnosed with autism and Ms Monckton had been told her son might never speak or go to “normal” school, among other things.
“They replaced our fear with hope,” she said.
“We didn’t know where to go and they gave us all the support.”
Now nine years old and a Year Four student at Toowoomba Grammar School, people would never believe Hunter had trouble communicating and he knows it is all thanks to his time at AEIOU.
“He basically went in nonverbal. You wouldn’t think to look at him now,” Ms Monckton said.
“If you go back to the way he started and we were told not to expect a lot, don’t expect him to go to normal school or speak achieve anything and just with their help and Hunter’s dedication
‘‘ THEY REPLACED OUR FEAR WITH HOPE. KELLIE MONCKTON
and commitment in himself, it just blows me away to this day.
“We walked out with a little boy who could talk. He could have a conversation, smile and wave.”
Ms Monckton said AEIOU was a big commitment moneywise, which was why fundraisers like this weekend’s Take a Hike were so important.
The event is to support families receiving vital therapy and care. It is open to walkers, hikers and racers with distances of 21km, 10.5km and 5km.
All funds raised will directly support AEIOU’s early intervention program.
It will be held on Sunday at Queens Park on the corner of Margaret and Hume Sts. Registrations open from 6.30am and a celebration barbecue at 9am.