0:00:08.295,0:00:11.481 [Narrator] AJ MacDonald[br]is expecting baby number 3... 0:00:11.481,0:00:13.498 ...in just 4 weeks. 0:00:13.714,0:00:15.765 She's a confident, practical mom. 0:00:15.765,0:00:18.494 But with each child,[br]AJ has had to adapt... 0:00:18.494,0:00:20.791 ...and learn new skills. 0:00:20.818,0:00:22.693 AJ is going blind. 0:00:22.847,0:00:24.853 Oh, I'll stay really close[br]to Zayb... 0:00:24.853,0:00:26.649 ...within reaching distance [br]of his hand. 0:00:26.649,0:00:30.111 And I will grab him sometimes[br]and pull him back by me. 0:00:30.111,0:00:32.186 It's scary.[br]It is hard work. 0:00:32.186,0:00:35.003 Yeah, it's not easy. 0:00:35.211,0:00:38.324 [Narrator] AJ has the condition[br]macular edema. 0:00:38.324,0:00:40.397 It's a complicated [br]auto-immune disorder... 0:00:40.397,0:00:43.532 ...where her immune system[br]attacks her eyes. 0:00:44.168,0:00:46.551 Her sight has gradually[br]deteriorated. 0:00:46.551,0:00:48.996 She's now completely blind[br]in one eye... 0:00:48.996,0:00:52.042 ...and only has around 30 percent[br]vision in the other. 0:00:52.259,0:00:54.577 When I look out there[br]I can just see waves... 0:00:54.577,0:00:56.180 ...and the beach,[br]I can't see. 0:00:56.180,0:01:00.202 If it's like just Jayden,[br]and he's coming in close... 0:01:00.202,0:01:01.100 ...I'll see him. 0:01:01.100,0:01:04.296 But, yeah, I can mostly[br]just see waves. 0:01:13.240,0:01:15.987 Who's that? [br]He's home! 0:01:15.987,0:01:17.710 Hi, son! 0:01:18.050,0:01:20.831 AJ's oldest boy, Jayden[br]is eight... 0:01:20.831,0:01:22.634 ...the same age she was[br]when she discovered.. 0:01:22.634,0:01:24.760 ...she was losing her sight. 0:01:26.610,0:01:28.996 - Hi![br]- Mwah! 0:01:30.262,0:01:33.210 $$[AJ MacDonald] Like, I don't remember it[br]being one day I woke up... 0:01:33.210,0:01:34.990 ...and couldn't see.[br]It was really slow. 0:01:35.736,0:01:38.156 I just remember thinking,[br]"I can't read that now."... 0:01:38.156,0:01:42.475 ...or "I can't see that far." 0:01:42.475,0:01:44.948 Or I would mistake things,[br]you know. 0:01:44.948,0:01:46.290 I would say... 0:01:46.290,0:01:48.282 My stepdad always laughs,[br]because one time... 0:01:48.282,0:01:50.213 ...I...there was a white rock[br]and I said... 0:01:50.213,0:01:52.787 ..."Oh, look at that duck!"[br]You know. It was a rock! 0:01:52.787,0:01:54.207 And things like that. 0:01:54.207,0:01:57.468 And it wasn't like you go[br]"Oh, I can't see now." 0:01:57.468,0:02:00.607 It was, like, just little things[br]that got worse and worse. 0:02:01.770,0:02:05.220 They did surgery on my left eye,[br]removed the lens, so... 0:02:05.220,0:02:07.734 ...that there's no sight,[br]I get light and dark... 0:02:07.734,0:02:09.325 ...and some shadows. 0:02:09.325,0:02:10.912 The other eye, I see [br]some movement... 0:02:10.912,0:02:13.341 ...but absolutely no focus. 0:02:13.756,0:02:16.643 I can read things,[br]for a few seconds... 0:02:16.643,0:02:19.852 ...or for a bit. But then[br]the focus goes on me. 0:02:19.852,0:02:22.888 A short distance, I can see[br]if I hold things really close... 0:02:22.888,0:02:23.991 ...to me. 0:02:23.991,0:02:26.297 But long distance is really gone. 0:02:26.297,0:02:29.800 Within...if people are a meter[br]away, or two meters... 0:02:29.800,0:02:31.218 ...I won't know[br]who the are. 0:02:34.763,0:02:36.332 Wee! 0:02:42.398,0:02:44.953 [AJ] I don't see my kids' faces[br]really clearly... 0:02:44.953,0:02:48.163 ...but I can see where they are. 0:02:48.301,0:02:50.127 I can hear them and I know[br]what they're doing... 0:02:50.127,0:02:53.637 I know when Jayden jumps[br]out of that tree. 0:02:56.730,0:02:59.369 I know when Zayb's coming up[br]from underneath him and that. 0:03:00.722,0:03:03.267 Yeah, I listen to them play[br]and that's... 0:03:03.267,0:03:06.767 ...that's how I see them play. 0:03:08.387,0:03:11.246 [Narrator] Eventually AJ [br]will lose all her vision. 0:03:11.246,0:03:14.815 Surgery is an option,[br]but it comes with risks. 0:03:16.263,0:03:18.754 [AJ] I'm a bit scared about[br]having surgery... 0:03:18.754,0:03:20.469 ...especially on my 'good' eye. 0:03:20.469,0:03:23.443 Because if it comes out worse,[br]then you know... 0:03:23.443,0:03:25.989 ...or do I stay happy [br]with what it's at now? 0:03:25.989,0:03:29.250 Do I try and make it better[br]and risk it getting worse? 0:03:29.250,0:03:31.646 I mean, the risks[br]are pretty high. 0:03:32.644,0:03:34.388 There's definitely a chance[br]of putting a lens... 0:03:34.388,0:03:37.348 ...in that left eye, which[br]would give me a bit more sight. 0:03:37.348,0:03:40.816 And also, there's cataracts[br]in the right eye... 0:03:40.816,0:03:43.301 ...which is taking away[br]quite a lot of sight. 0:03:43.301,0:03:46.782 Which, cataracts are easy to fix,[br]but you have to have... 0:03:46.782,0:03:49.379 ...no inflammation, is what[br]they call it... 0:03:49.379,0:03:51.239 ...and that's the condition[br]that I have. 0:03:51.239,0:03:53.883 The uvulitis is what causes [br]the inflammation. 0:03:53.883,0:03:56.716 So, I have to be [br]on heavy medications... 0:03:56.716,0:03:58.840 ...for a period of time... 0:03:58.840,0:04:00.981 ...to make sure there's no[br]inflammation in that eye. 0:04:00.981,0:04:03.620 So they could do that operation. 0:04:04.742,0:04:06.390 [Narrator] And with a new baby[br]on the way... 0:04:06.390,0:04:09.785 ...AJ has decided to stick[br]with the status quo. 0:04:12.589,0:04:14.175 - Hi![br]- Hi! How're you doing? 0:04:14.175,0:04:16.315 Good, come in! 0:04:16.664,0:04:17.728 [AJ] We've got four weeks to go. 0:04:17.728,0:04:20.172 Baby's due in four weeks. 0:04:20.172,0:04:21.833 I've got worries, you know,[br]having a toddler... 0:04:21.833,0:04:24.989 ...and a new baby, it's going[br]to be tricky... 0:04:24.989,0:04:26.522 ...but it's cool. 0:04:26.522,0:04:28.803 You know, lots of people do it[br]and, yeah, I'm excited... 0:04:28.803,0:04:30.341 ...about it. 0:04:30.341,0:04:32.394 Ok, so do you think we should[br]have a feel and a listen... 0:04:32.394,0:04:33.705 ...to this little poppet? 0:04:33.705,0:04:35.171 - Yeah.[br]- ok! 0:04:35.171,0:04:37.808 [Narrator] Macular edema[br]is known to be hereditary. 0:04:38.650,0:04:41.000 In AJ's case, it simply[br]developed... 0:04:41.000,0:04:43.084 ...from the auto-immune[br]disease. 0:04:44.944,0:04:46.317 Ok, they're nice and warm[br]today! 0:04:46.317,0:04:48.217 That's good! 0:04:48.217,0:04:50.357 [Narrator] Her eyesight is [br]changeable. 0:04:50.357,0:04:51.963 When she's sick, [br]she has less vision... 0:04:51.963,0:04:53.670 ...than when she's well. 0:04:54.656,0:04:56.812 Her pregnancy could have[br]affected her sight... 0:04:56.812,0:04:58.733 ...but luckily it hasn't. 0:04:58.733,0:05:00.887 Either way, I just hope[br]for a healthy baby. 0:05:00.887,0:05:02.867 But yeah, a girl [br]would be nice. 0:05:02.867,0:05:04.955 A girl would be nice,[br]but three boys... 0:05:04.955,0:05:08.199 ...would be loud and ruckus[br]and cool as well. 0:05:08.199,0:05:11.059 You know, it will be [br]what it's meant to be. 0:05:11.741,0:05:19.971 [Baby's heartbeat pulses[br]on ultrasound] 0:05:22.769,0:05:24.536 That's a happy baby! 0:05:24.536,0:05:25.699 [They laugh] 0:05:25.699,0:05:28.292 140s... 150s 0:05:29.398,0:05:31.416 And we'll do your[br]blood pressure. 0:05:31.416,0:05:33.001 [Narrator] AJ has a younger [br]brother... 0:05:33.001,0:05:35.303 ...living in the same town,[br]but she's always managed... 0:05:35.303,0:05:38.924 ...on her own. And doesn't expect[br]any help with this baby either. 0:05:40.529,0:05:42.836 Even though her partner, Lionel,[br]works long hours... 0:05:42.836,0:05:46.114 ...often commuting away [br]from AJ and the kids. 0:05:46.299,0:05:47.614 Mum, what's for tea? 0:05:47.614,0:05:50.704 - Mince.[br]- Yummy! Garlic? 0:05:50.704,0:05:52.284 - And potatoes. 0:05:52.284,0:05:53.378 Yep, garlic. 0:05:53.378,0:05:54.544 Do you want to help? 0:05:54.544,0:05:56.742 Err, can I go[br]and play outside? 0:05:56.742,0:05:59.027 - Yeah.[br]- Ok. 0:05:59.362,0:06:01.430 [Narrator] Eight year old Jayden [br]is well aware... 0:06:01.430,0:06:04.329 ...of mom's limited vision,[br]and naturally helps her. 0:06:04.776,0:06:06.766 But AJ just wants him[br]to be a kid... 0:06:06.766,0:06:08.991 ...as much as possible too. 0:06:09.225,0:06:11.141 [AJ] He knows my condition. 0:06:11.141,0:06:12.588 He knows what my sight's like. 0:06:12.588,0:06:14.456 He probably knows better than [br]anyone, what I can... 0:06:14.456,0:06:16.345 ...and can't see. 0:06:20.257,0:06:22.851 Zayb, what are you doing? 0:06:23.942,0:06:27.516 Zayb? What are you doing,[br]mate? 0:06:28.337,0:06:31.185 Can you pass me a potato?[br]Please? 0:06:31.703,0:06:33.056 Ah! 0:06:37.062,0:06:39.132 That's been my new year's[br]resolution.... 0:06:39.132,0:06:41.864 ...to be better in the kitchen[br]and find ways of doing things... 0:06:41.864,0:06:43.365 ...you know, like, [br]with the baking... 0:06:43.365,0:06:45.636 ...to find ways of doing it. 0:06:45.636,0:06:48.701 It's the same with cooking[br]you find ways of doing it. 0:06:48.978,0:06:51.100 It's not always great, [br]but... you know. 0:06:51.100,0:06:54.308 I'm sure my kids probably eat[br]a bit more dirt... 0:06:54.308,0:06:57.193 ...on the edge of the potatoes[br]than other kids, but yeah. 0:07:00.004,0:07:01.374 Jayden, can you see [br]what the dog... 0:07:01.374,0:07:03.353 ...is choking on, please? 0:07:03.353,0:07:05.668 [Jayden] Ok, hang on. 0:07:07.451,0:07:10.398 With using knives, it's like[br]you feel the potato... 0:07:10.398,0:07:11.847 ...you feel where it is. 0:07:11.847,0:07:13.782 And then you know[br]where to cut. 0:07:13.782,0:07:18.598 It's just using intuition[br]more than your sight. 0:07:23.288,0:07:25.693 Things like cooking chicken,[br]I don't cook chicken... 0:07:25.693,0:07:27.619 ...if I'm by myself. 0:07:27.619,0:07:30.267 I'll cook it if I know Lionel's [br]going to be home in time. 0:07:30.267,0:07:33.459 And then he can check it[br]make sure it's not pink. 0:07:37.211,0:07:39.580 You all right? Come here. 0:07:39.580,0:07:41.763 Come on, we're going [br]to wash the potatoes. 0:07:43.512,0:07:44.388 Oh! 0:07:45.560,0:07:46.886 Oh, ta. Can you[br]pick it up? 0:07:48.493,0:07:50.154 Here's your grapes. 0:07:51.250,0:07:51.980 Oh no. 0:07:51.980,0:07:54.100 That's Karen's stuff! 0:08:04.778,0:08:07.361 [Narrator] Even though she's [br]36 weeks pregnant... 0:08:07.361,0:08:10.420 ...AJ is still helping others[br]in her community. 0:08:10.997,0:08:12.882 She recognizes that her [br]loss of sight... 0:08:12.882,0:08:15.727 ...played a part[br]in tough teenage years. 0:08:16.777,0:08:18.766 [AJ] I did drop out of school,[br]school was hard... 0:08:18.766,0:08:20.963 ...when you can't read, [br]you can't see. 0:08:20.963,0:08:23.540 You know there's lots of reasons[br]why kids don't function... 0:08:23.540,0:08:24.680 ...well in school. 0:08:24.680,0:08:26.852 And mine was just[br]that I couldn't see. 0:08:26.852,0:08:30.667 So I dropped out early[br]and I did get into trouble... 0:08:30.667,0:08:32.301 ...as a teenager. 0:08:33.224,0:08:37.541 And when Jayden was one,[br]I decided that this... 0:08:37.541,0:08:39.148 ...wasn't the kind of life[br]that I wanted... 0:08:39.148,0:08:40.900 ...to bring my child up in. 0:08:40.900,0:08:44.147 Lots of drugs, and yeah, [br]lots of trouble. 0:08:44.147,0:08:47.006 So, I thought, no.[br]This isn't for my son. 0:08:47.741,0:08:50.723 [Traffic noises] 0:08:51.169,0:08:53.351 Tell us when we're good, eh? 0:08:54.654,0:08:56.159 Jayden's really, really good. 0:08:56.159,0:08:58.429 He's been taught road safety[br]from real young. 0:08:58.429,0:09:00.405 And he will cross us [br]over roads... 0:09:00.405,0:09:03.164 ...because I actually can't[br]see the cars. 0:09:07.381,0:09:09.698 When it's quiet streets,[br]I can hear cars... 0:09:09.698,0:09:11.430 ...and you do know [br]when the road's clear. 0:09:11.430,0:09:13.606 But when it's a really, really[br]busy street... 0:09:13.606,0:09:16.675 ...and you've got to look[br]for a gap and rush over... 0:09:16.675,0:09:18.885 ...that's...I will walk [br]a long way... 0:09:18.885,0:09:20.875 ...to get to a crossing,[br]and then backtrack... 0:09:20.875,0:09:23.189 ...if I need to. 0:09:24.160,0:09:25.790 - Are we good?[br]- Yeah. 0:09:38.221,0:09:40.631 [Narrator] When AJ was a teenager[br]nobody helped her... 0:09:40.631,0:09:43.780 ...with career opportunities[br]and she became lost. 0:09:44.462,0:09:47.607 She had her first baby[br]when she was seventeen. 0:09:53.532,0:09:55.945 In June last year, [br]AJ graduated... 0:09:55.945,0:09:58.983 ...with a diploma in[br]applied social science. 0:09:59.110,0:10:01.250 She now works as a social[br]worker and is studying... 0:10:01.250,0:10:03.549 ...for her degree. 0:10:04.835,0:10:07.254 She works here with young moms[br]attending a course... 0:10:07.254,0:10:11.804 ...at the YMCA, and elsewhere[br]with teenagers at risk. 0:10:12.404,0:10:14.327 And she's a youth mentor. 0:10:15.488,0:10:17.842 Ok, so are you keen to do[br]some baking this afternoon? 0:10:17.842,0:10:23.526 We're going to bake[br]for Sandy's farewell, I think. 0:10:24.991,0:10:27.177 [Narrator] AJ passes on[br]the knowledge she's built up... 0:10:27.177,0:10:29.544 ...through her own experiences. 0:10:30.821,0:10:32.422 She's a voice of reason[br]for the young moms... 0:10:32.422,0:10:34.982 ...and their babies. 0:10:35.503,0:10:37.808 [AJ] And people can be so[br]judgmental with young moms. 0:10:37.808,0:10:39.960 I know what it's like.[br]I've been there. 0:10:39.960,0:10:42.750 And it is tough.[br]And you do need help.. 0:10:42.750,0:10:45.231 and you do need teaching[br]all of that. 0:10:45.231,0:10:47.192 And I just, I love[br]watching them go... 0:10:47.192,0:10:49.118 ...from being pregnant [br]to having their babies... 0:10:49.134,0:10:51.924 ...to just being [br]beautiful moms. 0:10:52.592,0:10:54.273 What happened? 0:10:54.273,0:10:57.503 Oh, the slide was [br]on your toe! 0:10:58.137,0:11:00.775 [Baby cries] 0:11:00.775,0:11:02.863 [Narrator] Last year AJ [br]received the prestigious... 0:11:02.863,0:11:05.342 ...Leslie Pearce Woman [br]of Courage award... 0:11:05.342,0:11:08.430 ...for her outstanding work[br]as a mentor... 0:11:08.430,0:11:10.743 ...and her influence[br]on young people. 0:11:11.954,0:11:13.491 [AJ] Winning the Leslie Pearce [br]award was... 0:11:13.491,0:11:15.752 ...it was huge, really. 0:11:15.752,0:11:19.328 Because I'm quite a quiet,[br]private person... 0:11:19.682,0:11:21.363 ...and to have it out [br]in the public... 0:11:21.363,0:11:24.160 ...that you, you know, I[br]can't see, um... 0:11:24.160,0:11:28.962 ...to have it, you know, it was[br]in a magazine, it was on TV... 0:11:28.962,0:11:31.151 ...it was kind of this thing[br]where you have to go... 0:11:31.151,0:11:32.853 ..."Ok, I'm going to [br]go public about it..." 0:11:32.853,0:11:34.249 "...or I'm going to hide away." 0:11:34.249,0:11:37.309 And you had to make that decision[br]of, "Yeah I want to talk..." 0:11:37.309,0:11:39.572 "...about what it's like to be [br]blind, what it's like..." 0:11:39.572,0:11:41.100 "...to bring up kids." 0:11:41.100,0:11:43.507 You know, all of that stuff. 0:11:43.784,0:11:45.253 I'll bring some food down[br]actually and just... 0:11:45.253,0:11:46.486 ...put it on the table[br]for him. 0:11:46.486,0:11:47.561 Ok. 0:11:47.561,0:11:49.489 Thank you! 0:11:49.489,0:11:52.402 Nice meeting you, Fay. 0:11:54.871,0:11:55.987 All right. 0:11:55.987,0:11:57.898 [Narrator] AJ knew she needed[br]qualifications... 0:11:57.898,0:12:01.517 ...to give herself and her[br]children a better future. 0:12:01.927,0:12:04.446 [AJ] Because for me, I couldn't[br]just work on a checkout. 0:12:04.446,0:12:07.607 I couldn't do admin, I couldn't[br]do those jobs... 0:12:07.607,0:12:09.769 ...that we can kind of [br]walk into. 0:12:09.769,0:12:10.894 You know, cleaning.... 0:12:10.894,0:12:13.581 A lot of that stuff, I couldn't[br]do, because I couldn't see. 0:12:13.581,0:12:16.465 Lots of jobs, you have to [br]have a driver's license. 0:12:17.588,0:12:19.721 And so, for me, it was[br]what can I do? 0:12:19.721,0:12:21.577 What am I good at... 0:12:21.577,0:12:25.796 ...enough that will counter[br]the eyesight thing? 0:12:26.499,0:12:29.067 So grab out the ingredients[br]that you need. 0:12:29.600,0:12:32.053 Umm. 0:12:33.365,0:12:35.267 Ok, guys, take your [br]butter out... 0:12:35.267,0:12:37.435 ...and put it in your golden[br]syrup, pre-melted. 0:12:37.435,0:12:38.932 Oh, ok. Uh... 0:12:40.516,0:12:43.413 Honey, don't put your butter[br]in there dry. 0:12:44.643,0:12:45.851 [AJ] I taught myself [br]how to cook. 0:12:45.851,0:12:47.429 And I learnt a lot[br]from friends and family.... 0:12:47.429,0:12:51.614 ...because you need to be able[br]to cook and feed your kids. 0:12:51.614,0:12:55.597 That's something that's really[br]important with the young moms. 0:12:55.597,0:12:59.186 And if I can cook, when I can't[br]see anything, then they can cook. 0:12:59.478,0:13:02.217 Ok, Court, can you [br]turn this on? 0:13:02.217,0:13:03.456 What do you want it to? 0:13:03.456,0:13:06.657 Umm, bake 180 degrees. 0:13:14.800,0:13:16.387 [Narrator] But even attending[br]polytech... 0:13:16.387,0:13:18.590 ...put her out[br]of her comfort zone. 0:13:18.754,0:13:20.590 [AJ] Seven years ago, when I [br]first started... 0:13:20.590,0:13:22.186 ...my sight wasn't [br]that bad... 0:13:22.186,0:13:24.740 ...so I got to know[br]my way around. 0:13:25.833,0:13:27.258 We count the steps. 0:13:27.258,0:13:29.501 You know how many steps [br]there are. 0:13:29.501,0:13:31.862 I think too, you use[br]your other senses. 0:13:31.862,0:13:36.305 And it's not like it's not[br]a conscious thing... 0:13:36.305,0:13:38.135 ...that you do. 0:13:38.969,0:13:42.267 You sort of, you feel things,[br]you know that things are there. 0:13:45.449,0:13:46.944 When they change stuff[br]it's hard. 0:13:46.944,0:13:49.398 Like, this space was all open[br]then they put in these... 0:13:49.398,0:13:51.602 ...lovely gardens. 0:13:51.602,0:13:53.448 And that kind of mixes[br]me up for a bit. 0:13:53.448,0:13:56.039 But once you know it,[br]you know it. 0:14:03.605,0:14:05.264 Finding my class was difficult. 0:14:05.264,0:14:07.360 Sometimes if we were in[br]a different classroom... 0:14:07.360,0:14:08.843 ...and I couldn't see[br]the number on the door... 0:14:08.843,0:14:12.224 ...and if I looked in,[br]I was never sure... 0:14:12.224,0:14:14.575 ...if it was my class[br]or not. 0:14:15.496,0:14:16.917 [Narrator] With baby number three[br]on the way... 0:14:16.917,0:14:20.162 ...she needs to put her studies[br]on hold, for now. 0:14:28.127,0:14:30.820 Oh, come on.[br]It's time to go home! 0:14:31.637,0:14:33.252 Come on! 0:14:34.839,0:14:36.848 Good boy. 0:14:36.996,0:14:38.841 Thanks, Sandy! 0:14:38.841,0:14:41.517 Thank you girls,[br]see you later! 0:14:55.820,0:14:57.552 - Hi! You guys ready?[br]- Yep! 0:14:58.698,0:15:00.784 [Narrator] It's a busy life[br]and every week... 0:15:00.784,0:15:04.090 ...Lionel's daughter, Jade,[br]also comes to stay for the weekend. 0:15:04.763,0:15:06.556 Pop in that side. 0:15:14.171,0:15:17.884 Pop in your seat.[br]There's Jaja! 0:15:19.630,0:15:25.615 Jayden, Jayden! 0:15:26.599,0:15:28.552 Good boy, I'll plug you in. 0:15:29.327,0:15:32.732 Have you got your belts on? 0:15:32.732,0:15:34.488 [Jade] I've got my belt on. 0:15:34.488,0:15:36.369 [Narrator] AJ likes a busy[br]household... 0:15:36.369,0:15:39.600 ...but sometimes it's the [br]everyday practicalities... 0:15:39.600,0:15:41.716 ...that can get her down. 0:15:42.234,0:15:44.535 [AJ] The one thing that gets me[br]is not being able to drive. 0:15:44.535,0:15:46.854 That's the tough thing. 0:15:46.854,0:15:50.165 With the kids, with working[br]and studying and... 0:15:50.165,0:15:51.870 ...you know, trying to do[br]all of that... 0:15:51.870,0:15:55.177 ...it just adds a big extra[br]pressure onto your day... 0:15:55.177,0:15:57.644 ...trying to either walk there[br]or find a ride... 0:15:57.644,0:16:00.101 ...or if it's raining. 0:16:00.101,0:16:03.363 Or just when you need to go[br]to the shop or something. 0:16:03.363,0:16:05.694 You have to pack the kids up[br]and walk there. 0:16:05.694,0:16:07.638 You know, that's a mission. 0:16:13.627,0:16:16.510 [AJ] I don't struggle along with [br]this condition on my own. 0:16:16.510,0:16:22.389 I have beautiful friends[br]and family that support us... 0:16:22.389,0:16:25.868 ...that love my kids and love[br]us and help us every day. 0:16:27.083,0:16:29.571 There's never a time when I'm[br]sitting there on my own... 0:16:29.571,0:16:33.625 ...going "Oh my gosh, [br]I can't cope with this." 0:16:57.595,0:16:59.412 [Narrator] AJ is fiercely[br]independent... 0:16:59.412,0:17:02.098 ...but she needs help[br]with supermarket shopping. 0:17:02.268,0:17:04.522 [AJ] I don't think anyone[br]loves the supermarket that much... 0:17:04.522,0:17:07.319 ...but for me it is a lot[br]harder. 0:17:07.319,0:17:09.815 I do it with Lionel, or with[br]my friend, Gina. 0:17:11.477,0:17:13.433 [Narrator] She finds the noise[br]and the maze of shelves... 0:17:13.433,0:17:15.129 ...disorienting. 0:17:17.901,0:17:21.741 [AJ] Lots of people, lots of stuff[br]and lots of movement. 0:17:21.741,0:17:24.143 And that I feel a bit...[br]I can't see much. 0:17:31.327,0:17:32.867 Ok, do you see plums[br]on there? 0:17:32.867,0:17:34.755 Ummm...no! 0:17:34.755,0:17:37.862 Ok, go search, push 'P'... 0:17:40.804,0:17:43.345 Are pears the same as the[br]other ones? 0:17:45.220,0:17:46.389 Umm... 0:17:48.923,0:17:51.162 [AJ] Just trying to get the [br]cheapest thing... 0:17:51.162,0:17:55.404 ...you can't see the [br]small prices is hard. 0:18:07.170,0:18:10.140 [Checkout beeps] 0:18:15.471,0:18:16.134 Nah. 0:18:16.134,0:18:18.421 Oh yeah, it did it,[br]it did it! 0:18:25.488,0:18:27.484 Thank you! You too! 0:18:29.559,0:18:31.250 Take the trolley, baby. 0:18:31.250,0:18:33.188 Good girl. 0:18:42.351,0:18:43.308 [Zayb gurgles] 0:18:43.308,0:18:45.663 Change your bum! 0:18:46.732,0:18:47.916 Lie down. 0:18:52.760,0:18:55.531 [AJ] I worry about other things[br]like practical things. 0:18:55.531,0:18:59.289 Like, I worry that now, I do[br]a lot of stuff with me... 0:18:59.289,0:19:01.324 ...and my friend and their child,[br]you know... 0:19:01.324,0:19:03.269 ...and now we're not[br]going to fit in one car! 0:19:03.269,0:19:05.943 That's the kind of stuff [br]I worry about. 0:19:05.943,0:19:08.210 I'm going to have three kids[br]and if I'm with... 0:19:08.210,0:19:11.500 ...one of my friends who has a kid,[br]yeah, I won't fit in the car... 0:19:11.500,0:19:12.405 ...with them. 0:19:17.181,0:19:19.242 [Zayb shouts] 0:19:19.242,0:19:21.271 [AJ] You know, taking three kids[br]on a bus is a lot tougher... 0:19:21.271,0:19:23.602 ...than taking one or two. 0:19:24.633,0:19:26.572 So I worry about that kind of[br]practical stuff... 0:19:26.572,0:19:29.446 ...but I try not to worry[br]about the future... 0:19:29.446,0:19:31.805 ...and whether I'm going to[br]be able to see them or not. 0:20:06.583,0:20:09.639 [Narrator] Baby Eli arrives [br]right on cue. 0:20:10.239,0:20:13.499 Are you hungry? 0:20:21.822,0:20:24.250 [Zayb screams] 0:20:24.250,0:20:25.216 Quietly! 0:20:25.216,0:20:28.699 [Narrator] Having boy number three[br]brings new challenges. 0:20:29.701,0:20:33.214 Don't hit! No hitting, man,[br]come on! 0:20:34.133,0:20:36.419 [Narrator] Life just got[br]a whole lot busier... 0:20:36.419,0:20:38.687 ...yet AJ's making light[br]or her load. 0:20:38.687,0:20:41.716 [AJ] It's going to be tough,[br]I mean, three boys! 0:20:41.716,0:20:43.514 It's a lot of testosterone. 0:20:43.514,0:20:46.968 I think, yeah, it's cool. 0:20:46.968,0:20:48.771 We'll just have to get out[br]and about... 0:20:48.771,0:20:53.102 ...take them for walks, it'll be[br]Zayb that needs to be taken... 0:20:53.102,0:20:55.268 ...out of the house, and [br]energized. 0:20:55.268,0:20:57.721 He's, oh, he's got a lot [br]of energy to get rid of. 0:20:59.435,0:21:07.160 [Boys shout and play] 0:21:11.397,0:21:13.387 [Narrator] Her younger brother Ben[br]has been helping out... 0:21:13.387,0:21:15.725 ...while Lionel's away. 0:21:17.191,0:21:20.993 I suppose she's come a long way.[br]AJ has done a lot of things, eh? 0:21:20.993,0:21:23.241 And didn't really notice it[br]at the time. 0:21:23.241,0:21:26.966 Because she's sort of, [br]I don't know... 0:21:27.556,0:21:31.293 ...never really given her the,[br]what's the word for it? 0:21:34.277,0:21:36.538 - Help me out, man![br]- I don't know! 0:21:37.168,0:21:41.031 Respect for doing really well[br]and that. 0:21:41.031,0:21:43.411 - Yeah.[br]- Because she's done a fair bit. 0:21:43.411,0:21:45.367 And I've sort of always[br]just seen her... 0:21:45.367,0:21:47.242 ...as my sister, AJ. 0:21:47.242,0:21:50.487 Like, her eyesight and that[br]doesn't really come... 0:21:50.487,0:21:53.417 ...into our lives [br]when I'm around. 0:21:53.464,0:21:57.372 - Woke up.[br]- Yeah, he's... 0:21:58.203,0:22:00.251 [Makes kissing sounds] 0:22:01.927,0:22:03.465 You hot? 0:22:04.521,0:22:06.505 I'll go check on Zayb. 0:22:08.346,0:22:10.814 Can't climb up that fence [br]any more, so that's good. 0:22:12.447,0:22:14.170 Oh! 0:22:14.865,0:22:16.181 Man, is it ready? 0:22:16.181,0:22:17.396 Yeah, we can serve it up,[br]man! 0:22:17.396,0:22:18.161 Ah, awesome. 0:22:18.161,0:22:20.385 Can you grab a tea towel[br]and put it down? 0:22:20.385,0:22:22.616 Oh, it's all right, I'll[br]put that chopping board down. 0:22:24.001,0:22:26.447 Thank you! 0:22:27.986,0:22:32.181 Been home bodies since last...[br]since he was born. 0:22:33.227,0:22:35.810 It's good having Jayden[br]so much older... 0:22:35.810,0:22:40.288 ...so he's sort of responsible[br]and Zayb kind of is learning. 0:22:40.519,0:22:43.320 Good boy, Zayb.[br]Go wash your hands. 0:22:43.320,0:22:45.717 It's all ready![br]Jayden will help you. 0:22:45.717,0:22:48.008 Good boy! 0:22:48.553,0:22:50.466 [AJ] I haven't been out by myself[br]with all three of them. 0:22:50.466,0:22:53.188 It's been me and Lionel[br]taking them out. 0:22:53.188,0:22:54.553 [AJ] It's going to be hot, ok? 0:22:55.553,0:22:57.222 [I don't know] Is that for Jayden? 0:22:57.222,0:22:59.923 Ok, you hop over there then. 0:22:59.923,0:23:01.658 Auntie will pass that [br]over the table... 0:23:01.658,0:23:03.549 ...you hop over there. 0:23:07.025,0:23:08.402 All right, are you [br]getting drinks? 0:23:08.402,0:23:10.483 OJ for Zayb. 0:23:13.528,0:23:15.066 Let me help you. 0:23:15.412,0:23:16.848 [Ben] Do you want to feed [br]now then? 0:23:16.848,0:23:20.346 Right then, your plate, [br]please. 0:23:20.953,0:23:22.501 Here's your fork. 0:23:23.268,0:23:27.798 - But not the noodle.[br]- Careful. 0:23:29.557,0:23:34.336 [Conversation fades] 0:23:51.103,0:23:54.130 Come on, mate. 0:23:56.376,0:23:58.215 Have your bath. 0:24:06.598,0:24:08.385 [Narrator] Young Jayden eagerly[br]takes on the role... 0:24:08.385,0:24:10.300 ...of mother's helper. 0:24:10.300,0:24:11.715 He's her second [br]pair of eyes. 0:24:11.715,0:24:13.916 Son, can you please grab me[br]a towel? 0:24:14.488,0:24:15.485 [AJ] I think that sometimes[br]happens with kids... 0:24:15.485,0:24:17.278 ...when you have a disability. 0:24:17.278,0:24:20.658 You know, it's things like[br]"Jayden can you look at this rash?" 0:24:20.658,0:24:22.106 "What does it look like?" 0:24:22.106,0:24:23.872 "Can you tell me[br]what it looks like?" 0:24:23.872,0:24:25.303 "What does he have in his [br]mouth?" 0:24:25.303,0:24:28.445 Um, just those extra kind of[br]things that kids don't usually... 0:24:28.445,0:24:30.216 ...have to worry about. 0:24:30.355,0:24:32.767 [Narrator] Eli's been diagnosed [br]with hip displacia... 0:24:32.767,0:24:34.715 ...or clicky hips. 0:24:34.715,0:24:37.140 It's a relatively common[br]condition... 0:24:37.140,0:24:39.772 ...but he has to wear a brace[br]for the next few months. 0:24:40.360,0:24:41.472 [AJ] It is hard with[br]his brace... 0:24:41.472,0:24:43.672 ...because I can't bath him[br]and I've always... 0:24:43.672,0:24:46.135 ...bathed my babies a lot[br]in case I've missed... 0:24:46.135,0:24:47.773 ...a bit of poo, you know? 0:24:47.773,0:24:50.622 In case they're dirty[br]and I can't see it. 0:24:50.622,0:24:52.570 And just keeping an eye [br]on his skin... 0:24:52.570,0:24:54.920 ...because he can get rashes[br]and stuff from his brace. 0:24:54.920,0:24:57.172 So yeah, that's been tough. 0:24:57.519,0:24:58.832 [Narrator] Never one to sit around[br]for long... 0:24:58.832,0:25:01.554 ...AJ has already decided[br]on a new way... 0:25:01.554,0:25:04.154 ...to support other moms [br]in her community. 0:25:04.615,0:25:07.404 She's training as a breastfeeding[br]mentor. 0:25:07.961,0:25:09.228 [AJ] It's something that they're[br]putting in place... 0:25:09.228,0:25:11.816 ...over New Zealand, I think,[br]to try and encourage... 0:25:11.816,0:25:14.411 ...or support women[br]to breastfeed. 0:25:14.411,0:25:17.715 Yeah, that's something that I'm[br]quite passionate about too. 0:25:17.715,0:25:20.631 I think if women can get that[br]support and help... 0:25:20.631,0:25:22.850 ...that they need and can [br]do it well... 0:25:22.850,0:25:25.096 ...then it's an amazing thing. 0:25:27.060,0:25:28.571 Yeah, I am an advocate[br]for breastfeeding... 0:25:28.571,0:25:32.927 ...but I'm not a pushy[br]"breast is best" person... 0:25:32.927,0:25:34.096 ...you know! 0:25:36.484,0:25:39.294 I do worry sometimes that[br]if my eyesight goes completely... 0:25:39.294,0:25:41.804 ...then how will I cope[br]with that? 0:25:41.804,0:25:46.003 I do sometimes think, y'know,[br]if I couldn't see my kids... 0:25:46.003,0:25:48.495 ...I can still see their faces[br]now and I think... 0:25:48.495,0:25:51.935 ...that's something that makes me[br]feel sad, thinking what if.. 0:25:51.935,0:25:54.447 ...I couldn't see[br]their little facial expressions? 0:25:54.447,0:25:56.910 Or see what they're doing. 0:25:59.989,0:26:03.254 Zayb is going to climb up[br]onto the tree! 0:26:06.294,0:26:07.942 [AJ] But then I think of the[br]other side of it... 0:26:07.942,0:26:11.563 ...and I can still kiss them[br]and hug them... 0:26:11.563,0:26:13.160 ...and hold them. 0:26:13.160,0:26:15.844 I think I'll always be close[br]to my babies... 0:26:15.844,0:26:18.309 ...whether I can see them[br]or not, I think. 0:26:18.556,0:26:19.911 Do you want it[br]on or off? 0:26:19.911,0:26:21.632 [Zayb whinges] 0:26:21.632,0:26:23.232 You want it off?