Imagine being overwhelmed by new places, big crowds and loud noise. Those triggers left one Christchurch boy virtually housebound for years — until he got his "VIP card" and the world opened up, as Seven Sharp reporter Rachel Parkin discovered.
Orange golf club in hand, a yellow golf ball at his feet and a scaly, blue tail bouncing — Aiden Kees raced around the mini golf course.
At 8 years old, he was more raptor than boy, right at home at Jurassic Adventure in Christchurch.
"He loooves dinosaurs," said Mum Tash, smiling. "Ever since he was a baby."
Meet Aiden, and that’s crystal clear.
"This is Blue," he said, revealing a disarming dinosaur in the park’s maze. "He does 40 or 50 [kilometres per hour]!"
Not so obvious though are Aiden’s challenges.
"So he’s ASD level 2, he’s combined ADHD — he’s got both types. He’s also SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder," Tash explained. "It’s quite a combination."
"There’s a lot going on," I replied, gently.
"There’s a LOT going on," she said, blinking.
And for years, that made heading out and about all too much for this dino dude and his Mum.
"He’s very good one-on-one, but in big crowds or with lots of people around him, that’s when things start to happen, and he can have a really hard time.
"He’ll start ‘stimming’ (getting over-stimulated), he’ll be really loud, or he’ll shut down and put his head down and just be still," Kees said.
"“And people don’t know how to deal with it?" I asked.
"No, they don’t, he just looks like a naughty little boy," she said.
Then, life changed. Aiden got a special card.
"It’s an I-pai… argh," he told me, surrounded by dinosaur toys in his bedroom.
"Hāpai card?" I asked.
"Hāpai card… I can’t pronounce it, but Mum said it’s a VIP card and I don’t know what that means. It helps me get around."
"That means you’re a very important person," I explained, "I think that’s right!"
"Oh, my goodness, we just love the Hāpai card," Tash grinned. "It means that I can take Aiden out and about in the world and not have to worry about looks and stares and judgement and know that if we have any issues they’ll come over."
The Hāpai Access Card system is simple but effective.
Any disabled person can obtain a card bearing symbols relating to their individual needs. Supporting businesses are schooled on how to help.
Three years after the system rolled out in Canterbury, there are now more than three thousand users and 150 businesses onboard nationwide.
'Programmed a little different'
"We don’t want to see this as a product, we want to see it as a movement," said Hāpai Access Card founder Loudon Keir.
For Jurassic Adventure co-owner Aaron Keown, signing up was a no-brainer.
"It’s an organisation that is facilitating a better life for people with disabilities," he said. "We’d built the park wheelchair-friendly anyway... we’re one of few parks globally to do it."
Kids like Aiden were "just programmed a little different", he said, as Aiden climbed the mechanical T-Rex behind him and stood on its head.
"We can embrace that as a society, or we can push back against it. There’s still a lot of stigma," Tash said, quietly.
"I’m not the only mother of a child like Aiden that is subject to that. But they [Hapai] have been wonderful to Aiden, we’ve actually been to so many businesses."
The mini golf park though, is the undisputed favourite. Aiden was so enamoured after his first visit, he wanted to move in.
“Yeah, and there’s a lot of places for a kid to hide here!” Keown laughed.
For Aiden and his Mum, there’s still a long road ahead, a lot of appointments and a lot of therapy but there is hope.
"Hole in one!" Aiden yelled as he slotted lucky number 13. "It went over there and then went there!"
"Good job Aiden," said his proud Mum, smiling.
SHARE ME