Cover Udey Ismail with his daughter
Udey Ismail with his daughter
1 / 1
Tatler+
A proponent of nature therapy, Udey Ismail makes use of the Next-Generation Ford Everest to go on outdoor adventures with his daughter
Wan Salahuddin Wan Ismail, more commonly known as Udey Ismail, was a freelance wedding and outdoor photographer, who used to contribute to Lonely Planet, with a penchant for outdoor pursuits. Seven years ago, he prioritised his family and became a full-time caregiver to his eldest daughter, who was diagnosed with autism.
See also: The Prekkers Cycling Club Go Off The Beaten Track With The Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak
He's now on a personal mission to destigmatise autism. His love for the outdoors leads him to believe in the healing powers of nature, believing they could help improve his daughter's condition. And the Next-Generation Ford Everest comes in handy when it comes to taking them on these outdoor adventures every weekend.
A Natural Connection
Nature therapy is said to be able to help with sensory stimulation, which is what some autistic children crave. Udey's daughter also has boundless energy, and it didn't help that the Covid lockdown restricted her avenues to expend it. Udey had to come up with different types of activity to get her to calm down and not have trouble sleeping.
As soon as restrictions eased, Udey started taking his daughter to parks and outdoor fields to allow her to bask in nature. Soon, she learnt to self-regulate better. Despite being non-verbal, she is now able to understand and follow basic commands and conversations.
1 / 3
The Reliable Outdoor Companion
The Next-Generation Ford Everest is made to transport you effortlessly and safely from road to off-road paths with a simple switch. The seven-seater SUV comes in six drive modes—Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Sand—thus ensuring it remains in peak performance even in the grittiest outdoor situations. En route to going off road, Udey sets the SUV to Normal or Eco mode, before switching to Slippery or Mud depending on the type of terrain he and his daughter are exploring that day.
For Udey, safety is his prime concern and the next-gen Ford Everest is equipped with a number of safeguards, among them the amazing driver assist technologies. Occupant protection is not compromised either, thanks to seven airbags and, an underbody protection bash that's found in the Titanium variant. Other safety features across the Next-Generation Ford Everest range include Isofix mount points, ABS braking, electronic stability control with traction control, emergency brake assist, hill descent control, hill launch assist, roll-over mitigation, and adaptive load control.
Also not forgetting the 360-degree camera with off-road viewing capabilities and the bright Matrix LED headlamps, both of which help Udey check his surroundings before making the next move. The numerous protective measures give Udey a peace of mind, be it on- or off-road.
The Matrix LED Headlamps ensure maximum visibility
1 / 4
The SUV delivers in terms of performance too. The Everest Trend and Titanium are powered by the proven 2.0L bi-turbo powertrain that is mated to Ford’s efficient 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which has a peak torque of 500Nm packed under the hood. Ensuring power and acceleration when needed, whether it is to provide traction to get out of muddy situations or hurry to a meeting.
Driver convenience is another reason why Udey finds the Next-Generation Ford Everest appealing. The wireless charging pad makes it easy for him to consistently ensure his phone has enough juice, as he usually connects it to the 12-inch infotainment screen to keep his daughter occupied during their drives.
Then there is the intuitive Active Park Assist 2.0, which helps him to park safely should he get distracted. Hands full to open the boot? No problem as the hands-free power liftgate allows for a simple kick motion to unlock the trunk for you to load the SUV. This comes in handy when Udey is lugging all the gear and equipment to and fro for their weekends in nature.
1 / 1
If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
Check out his Instagram @aaronlpereira.
