Community Means Everything To Me

Review by Patrick Saunders, nonspeaking autistic hiker and who spells to communicate on a letterboard. 

Patrick is a Walking SA ambassador, volunteer consultant at National Parks SA and dreams of becoming the first nonspeaking hiking guide in the world. 

Links: www.thestoryspeller.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamthestoryspeller/

Community means everything to me because my life is challenging and often very lonely. 

So, when io gave me a couple of tops to wear on an adventure last year they became part of my community. Knowing they had my back and believed in me made a huge difference in my life and on the trails. I have now worn their gear in all types of conditions, from humidity on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, USA, to snow on the Overland Track in Tasmania, Australia. 

I am Autistic and nonspeaking and have Apraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder and ADHD. Just over three years ago I couldn’t walk because my Achilles had shortened due to toe walking caused by the pain of placing my heels on the ground. I required an operation to lengthen my Achilles and spent the next 12 months doing extensive physio and rehabilitation exercises to learn to walk again and wore casts, AFO’s and spent time in a wheelchair. 

Some days I now wake up and all I want to do is go for a hike. Walking on the trails among the trees and noises of the forest makes me feel a sense of relief I receive nowhere else. 

I love to hike and plan trips in Australia and overseas. 

In July last year I travelled to Virginia USA and hiked the Triple Crown on the Appalachian Trail. Three walks back to back covering 45 kms in difficult conditions (35 degrees Celsius in humid conditions) and terrain (rocky outcrops and steep trails).

Later that month I hiked a trail in Oregon with beautiful views of Mt Hood. 

As an Autistic nonspeaker with motor planning difference I often can’t regulate my body temperature as I find it difficult to remove clothing layers and asking someone for help is impossible without my letterboard. io merino always makes me feel comfortable in a body that often has a mind of its own in unpredictable scenarios. 

In December I walked 65kms with my family and friends on Australia’s Premier Multi Day hike - The Overland Track, in Tasmania. For 6 days and 5 nights the trail threw everything at us – wind, snow, rain, sunshine and freezing conditions. I loved it and I felt a real connection to nature and the people I met and hiked with.  

Over the last 12 months of wearing io merino t-shirts I have hiked hundreds of kilometres on the trails and they still feel and smell like new. No t-shirt plays a role as important as io in my kit. Safety is a priority for me and remaining warm, dry or cool keeps me happy on the trail and performing at my peak. 

The t-shirts are soft, comfortable and smooth against my skin. When I wear io merino I feel like a hiking rockstar which is important as it provides me with confidence to achieve my goals. 

I recommend io for your next adventure. I’ll definitely be wearing mine.