The world’s boniest friend has helped an intellectually disabled Sydney girl overcome crippling shyness and become one of the most popular kids in her school.
Amelie, 12, adopted a life-sized Halloween skeleton as her best friend two years ago and the pair have been inseparable ever since.
Hugo Sebastian Wellington III joined the family as a Halloween prop at Amelie’s home in Sydney, that is until the youngster, then aged 10, decided the bony figure would be her friend.
It took a five-foot skeleton called Hugo for 12-year-old Amelie to find her voice and confidence, both pictured
Her mother Alex told Daily Mail Australia she had laughed when she first saw her daughter interacting with the life-sized prop, not knowing he would become a permanent presence in the home.
‘I remember walking into the room and seeing him sitting with her at the table writing,’ Alex said.
‘He was wearing a bright pink outfit – I don’t even know where she found it – and then he just kept popping up doing things with her.
Amelie’s life ‘revolves around trying to be happy all the time’ according to her mother, so the ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude of her favourite skeleton is an easy fit for the busy family.
And because it wouldn’t be fair to leave Hugo at home he is often out and about with Alex, Amelie and sometimes with the whole family.
The young girl, who has an intellectual disability, used to have crippling shyness in public and wouldn’t talk to people.
But now with the security of her best friend Hugo she is speaking to people outside her own circle.
The young girl started dressing the skeleton around the house when she was 10 – but now he is part of the family and goes almost everywhere with them
Amelie’s mother Alex said the young girl ‘breathed life into the skeleton’ but in turn he had ‘brought life to her’
‘The other day she was interacting with a policeman – he had broken the ice by talking about Hugo – she never would have done that before so it is really good to see.
‘She may have breathed life into Hugo but he has breathed life into her as well.’
But she has also come out of her shell at school – when Hugo isn’t around.
‘Her teacher was shocked the other day when the kids were at the aquarium and Amelie was telling them all about the fish – and how she had been there a few times with Hugo,’ Alex said.
Hugo is a big part of celebrations in the house, and has his own Instagram account so people can keep up with his busy life.
‘We love Halloween so it is a big time for us, and Hugo at the moment,’ Alex said.
The skeleton now has a huge following on Instagram – with daily photos added to keep fans in the loop
This bright pink shirt was the first shirt Amelie ever dressed Hugo in – it is now his workout wear
The skeleton goes on family outing, left at Eastern Creek, and even goes to work with Alex, pictured right
The young girl, now 12, has completely come out of her shell since he came to life
The skeleton is often seen around Sydney – seeing everything the city has to offer.
‘We have been on more family outings since Hugo came along.
‘It is great – it gives me a creative outlet but it is also a great way we get to spend time together.
‘She is really engaged when we are talking about him or doing things with him.’
The skeleton has his own wardrobe in the house and ‘loves to look fashionable and wear Doc Martins’ according to Alex
The skeleton has ‘more than 30 pairs’ of the popular shoes – all picked up second hand
The skeleton is often pictures ‘helping to cook in the kitchen and on the barbecue’ this happens every Sunday
Amelie and Hugo pictured during a visit to the city together
The skeleton has an Instagram account with more than 14,000 followers.
‘Amelie doesn’t really care about the followers but she likes to talk about what he has done during the while she has been at school,’ she said.
‘And I get messages from other parents sometimes saying things like ”my son brushed his teeth today because Hugo did”, the nice comments keep me going.’
‘Amelie doesn’t really care about the followers but she likes to talk about what he has done during the while she has been at school,’ Alex said
The family have been on more adventures in the past 18 months because of Hugo and Amelie’s new-found confidence
The skeleton’s clothes are usually found in second-hand shops and then altered to fit his bony form
Featherdale wildlife park is one of the family’s favourite destinations – here Hugo is with a koala
The skeleton was brought to life about 18 months ago and has been a huge staple of family life ever since, he ‘cooks dinner on Sundays’ and goes to work with Alex.
‘We take him on family holidays and out to dinner – some people look at us like we are weird but most people love it.’
The skeleton has his own wardrobe which includes ‘nerdy t-shirts’ and more than 30 pairs of Doc Martins.
Hugo often goes to the movies with Amelie – he is pictured here ‘about to watch Pets together’
The ‘happy-go-lucky’ skeleton loves to dress up for special occasions – and loves coordinated outfits
The family have noticed such a great change in Amelie that they are going to keep up with Hugo’s Instagram account for as long as possible
‘He loves to make sure he is looking good,’ Alex said.
A recent trip to see fire engines was a highlight for the family.
‘Amelie really loves fireman Sam so that was pretty good,’ she said.
The family have noticed such a great change in Amelie that they are going to keep up with Hugo’s Instagram account for as long as possible.
One mother who keeps an eye on the skeletons page says Hugo helped her to convince her son to brush his teeth with this photo
The skeleton goes on holiday with Amelie’s whole family including her brother, 18, mum and dad
The skeleton is pictured here during a public outing to the arcade – he is riding a horse at ‘maximum speed’ to win the race
‘It is great – it gives me a creative outlet but it is also a great way we get to spend time together,’ Alex said