A mother's love and determination has transformed a personal challenge into a community resource, bringing much-needed support to families with children who have sensory processing needs.
When Kylee Eagle's daughter Amelia was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder nine years ago, it marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead to the creation of a unique community space. The diagnosis came after the young New Zealand family had moved from the UK to Australia's Sunshine Coast, where Amelia was born, following the birth of Kylee's first child in the UK.
Realizing that Amelia wouldn't be able to access the medical support she needed in Australia, Kylee made the difficult decision to relocate her family once again, this time back to New Zealand. They settled in Hawke's Bay, where Kylee had family connections through an aunt in Napier.
However, upon arrival, Kylee discovered a significant gap in local services. While her medical needs were met, "there was nowhere for Amelia to go to meet her social needs," Kylee recalls. This realization sparked an idea that would change not only her family's life but also the lives of many other families in the region.
Kylee began envisioning a space specifically designed for children with sensory needs – somewhere free from running, loud sounds, and extreme temperatures. Her vision became reality when she opened the Sensory Hub in the Onekawa industrial area, where it operated successfully for two years before recently relocating to a prime location in the Taradale CBD.
The Sensory Hub operates on a unique model that emphasises family involvement. Unlike traditional drop-off centers, the facility welcomes children alongside their parents or caregivers, who play an active role in helping their children navigate and benefit from the various sensory items and areas available.
"Parents and caregivers help instruct their kids on how to use the various sensory items and areas, so kids can get the best out of the experience," Kylee explains.
The hub caters to different age groups with dedicated sessions for babies, toddlers, adults, and all-ages sessions, ensuring that every family can find appropriate support and activities.
One of the hub's most popular offerings is birthday party bookings, available in two-hour slots. The venue features rotating themes that change every couple of weeks, creating excitement among families as they check the timetable for their children's favorite characters.
Recent successful themes have included Frozen and Matariki celebrations, and Kylee promises something special for the upcoming holiday season. "I'm going to create a Santa's grotto like none other in the two weeks leading up to Christmas this year," she says.
Parties can be either catered or self-catered, providing flexibility for different family needs and budgets.
Amelia's influence on the hub extends beyond its initial creation. The young girl, also affectionately known as the "disco queen," inspired Kylee to introduce disco sessions for different age groups. Despite Kylee's background as a dance teacher being cut short by a ligament injury, Amelia's love for movement and music brought a new dimension to the hub's offerings.
These disco sessions are available for online booking at just $10 per session, making them accessible to families throughout the community.
Reflecting on her journey, Kylee speaks with evident pride about her daughter. "Amelia is 'one in the world' and she is 'the happiest kid in the world – she makes my day every day,'" she says.
When asked about coping with Amelia's initial diagnosis, Kylee references the poem "Welcome to Holland," which helped her reframe her perspective. "It made me think, 'this is my life – what can I do with it'?" she explains.
Despite the vital service it provides, the Sensory Hub currently operates without funding. Kylee expresses gratitude for the overwhelming community support the hub has received since its move to the CBD, though the financial sustainability remains a lingering concern.
The hub's success reflects a broader need in the community for specialised services supporting children with sensory processing needs and their families.
In a lighter moment, Kylee shares a unique family fact: she believes she must be one of the few people in the world who has had children born on three different continents – one in the UK, one in Australia, and one in New Zealand.
This international journey, while challenging, ultimately led to the creation of a resource that serves families facing similar challenges in their local community.
The Sensory Hub welcomes visitors to drop by and meet Kylee, continuing to build connections within the community it serves. For families seeking support or simply curious about the services available, the hub represents both a practical resource and a testament to what can be achieved when personal experience drives community action.
