An 18-year-old with autism, ADHD and epilepsy has told how he had to drop out of school because of his health struggles – but his passion for trucking has helped him maintain a positive outlook on life.
Jayden Pooley from Caboolture in Queensland was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of four.
A few years ago, doctors also discovered that he had epilepsy when he began suffering from seizures – and at one point they got so bad that he ended up in intensive care.
He struggled to keep up in school and had to drop out in the middle of Year 10, when he was 16.
“It was very hard for me last week, because that’s when I would have been graduating,” he told Big Rigs.
“I didn’t really have friends in school, but knowing my classmates all graduated without me was tough.”
Academia wasn’t the right path for Jayden, but he has a keen interest in the transport industry.
His dad Mick has been a truckie for the past 15 years, and the young truck fan loves hopping in the passenger seat of his Freightliner Coronado.
“I started going out in the truck with dad because when I was having seizures, I wasn’t allowed to be home alone,” he said.
“I used to go every day, but now my seizures are under control, I just go with him on weekends.
“Dad carts fresh produce and I help him unload at the markets, and every few weeks I’ll also go on a run to Townsville with him.”
Jayden likes the opportunity to explore Queensland and spend time with his dad, while also being captivated by the impressive size and power of trucks.
He’s a big fan of truck shows and has attended several in the past year, including Casino, the Lowood Truck Show, Lights on the Hill and the Brisbane Convoy for Kids.
The shows are an opportunity to check out cool rigs, but also to socialise with truckies.
“I have made lots of friends in the transport industry now, there are some really good people,” said Jayden.
“I have more in common with them than I did with my classmates in school.”
He has picked up truck photography as a hobby and set up his own Facebook page (Snap that Shot Photography) to showcase his work.
“Every now and then I will take photos at shows or from the side of the highway,” he said. “It’s a passion of mine.”
Because the teenager has not suffered a seizure for the past 18 months, he has been able to get his car licence – and one day he would love to upgrade to a truck licence.
He also dreams of becoming a diesel mechanic.
“I would love to be a mechanic, so I could be around trucks and learn to fix them.
“I want to do an apprenticeship and I’m in the process of trying to figure it out.
“It’s a bit confusing, but I have a support worker to help me.”
Jayden is grateful that his interest in trucks has given him an outlet to help him through his health battles.
“Things have been hard sometimes, but my passion for trucks has given me something to focus on.
“It helps to take my mind off things!”