[Narrator] We're closing in on the sixth annual Attitude Awards
Today, the finalists!
[Narrator] Some talk about moving mountains, Neil Cudby cycles over them.
This year, he hand cycled more than 1,000km...
...through the Tibetan mountain range to raise money for spinal cord research.
The team conquered ten Himalayan range passes...
...reaching Mount Everest base camp
It's just fantastic
To ride and ride and ride all day every day
Up hills, you'd never get bigger
I will never go higher
I mean, to have that opportunity to be there...
...I just loved it
[Narrator] Neil broke his neck playing rugby as a 17 year old
He has tetraplegia
All four limbs are affected
Hand cycling affords him a level of freedom
[Neil] For me, even the regulation ramps are hard work...
...and so if you put in a bit of dirt and a few stones...
...it's often not achievable in my wheelchair
For the bike, you go over those sorts of things.
[Narrator] His family and friends provide support...
...vital for Neil's extreme adventures
[Neil] We work together to achieve a goal for me...
...which is quite selfish, but I think they get a kick...
...out of being part of that team and seeing someone achieve
Go, daddy!
[Narrator] The next adventure is never too far away
[Neil] Next cycling plan is more cycling...
...but they'll be bigger, further, faster!
[Narrator] Mackenzie Kench is always determined...
...to push those boundaries
But Mackenzie's choice of sport tested even her determination
[Mackenzie] My motivation comes from wanting to be a normal young adult...
...who can be as independent as possible
[Narrator] Born with cerebral palsy, Mackenzie's greatest strength...
...is in her mind and her right foot
After just one year, Mackenzie's a confident solo sailor
[Mackenzie] Going sailing gives me a sense of freedom...
...because it is the only water sport I can do by myself
Sailing-wise, the biggest challenge for me is working out...
...which way the wind is coming from
Disability-wise, the biggest challenge for me is trying...
...to communicate with people on the support boat
I think the exceptional thing about Mackenzie is her attitude to sailing...
...and just getting on with life
[Narrator] Mackenzie applies that attitude to her university studies
The 20 year old is studying journalism at Massey University
This year, she'll do her internship with Attitude Pictures
I want a job, because I see working as a way to show people...
...that I can be a functional and contributing member of society
[Narrator] Mackenzie's next big goal?
To represent New Zealand in sailing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics
[Narrator] In 2008, Phil Thorn contracted bacterial meningitis
He became deaf, blind and paralyzed
Phil initially refused to accept his disability...
...until a friend highlighted the amazing life still to be had
[Neil] Cycling helped me getting through some dark times
Getting out in the fresh air and going hard
It's helped me to get some clarity in my head
[Narrator] Phil puts every bit of energy he can muster into training
[Neil] Exhilaration, the speed on the bike...
...and the energy that it gives me
The greatest thing about it is I love getting fresh seeds...
...from new dreams drop into my soul
[Narrator] He's set to compete in this year's gruelling Lake Taupo...
...Cycle Challenge
Most able-bodied people wouldn't do this
I think we motivate you to have the heart...
...to get out and do this
[Neil] This challenge for me is as much mental...
...as it is physical
I wish to use this challenge to inspire others...
...to never let anything in life limit them in any way
[Narrator] Maia's naturally shy...
...yet she chose a sport that requires her to be fearless
Becoming the only female player for the Wheelblacks...
...has taken a lot of courage
[Maia] I enjoy being like one of the boys
Wheelchair rugby is one thing I feel I'm a little bit good at
[Narrator] Maia Amai was in a car fire as a toddler
Years later, a spinal infection left her paralyzed
The tragedy destroyed her confidence
Her caregiver Laetitia recognized that sport could...
...help draw Maia out of her shell
[Maia] Heaps has changed since I started playing rugby
I train more and harder
I trust the boys
And I don't need my Ching Chong Bro holding my hand all the time anymore.
[Narrator] Maia calls her most loyal supporter her Ching Chong Bro
I just think she's amazing
Everything that she does, every trial that she overcomes...
...she's amazing
[Narrator] Believing in herself, that's Maia's most important achievement yet
[Narrator] Margaret Alden knows how to network
She uses her connections to drive fundraising...
...for the disabled community
[Narrator] Margaret lives with cerebral palsy...
...short-sightedness and severe arthritis in her hands
She devotes her life to her own charitable trust...
...We'll Make Cents
All the money she raises goes to projects...
...for the disabled community
[Narrator] Margaret's well-known in her Auckland community
Drawn to her positivity, people readily donate
[Narrator] Elizabeth Charleston was once a competitive horse rider...
...and international model
Multiple riding accidents culminated in one severe head injury
She founded Think: The Head Injury Network for Kiwis
...to raise awareness
[Elizabeth] I've been brought to my knees in life...
...and I just don't want other people going through this
And so, instead of my experience with head injury being a complete waste of time...
...and knowing that I'm preventing some head injuries out there...
[Narrator] The network was so successful, that the New Zealand Head Injury Society...
...joined forces
Elizabeth passes her skills onto younger riders
Her first instructions are about safety
It's really heartwarming to get these private messages on Facebook..
...to say thank you for saving our child's life
Vanassa McGoldrick knew she had the power to change lives
She just needed to get that law degree first
[Vanassa] I think I recognized fairly early on that lawyers had this ability...
...to go and advocate for other people
Go out and fight for their corner, and that really appealed to me
Vanassa had to overcome her own challenges first...
...and fight bureaucracy to be admitted to the bar
I do
[Narrator] Today she fights for the rights...
...of people with disabilities
[Vanassa] For them, it's a bit of a relief, not having to tell this story...
...right from the beginning, because I've lived the life...
...I've walked the walk the same that they have
[Narrator] Vanassa was born without kneecaps and quadricep muscles
A genetic disorder called nail-patella syndrome
[Vanassa] I think that I'm a better person and I've achieved more in my life...
...and done more things because of my disability
It's given me a passion to try all of the things...
...that people tell me that I can't do.
[Narrator] She has high levels of fatigue...
...but the solo mom is still active with her two girls
[Vanassa] I have huge dreams. I have huge ambitions...
...to get out there and do things that other people...
...might not think are attainable
So, the sky's the limit!
I set the bar as to what is possible in my life
[Narrator] Loren Corbett's using her strong voice...
...to support students with disabilities at Waikato University
[Loren] I'm fighting for the students with disabilities...
...to have equal access
Whether that be access that they feel comfortable...
...with coming in
Or physically access our building.
[Narrator] She's Director of Sport and Recreation for the Student Union...
...and in demand as a public speaker
[Loren] Being smaller and having that extra bit of attention...
...on my life is definitely an advantage...
...because I can use it to show just because I have a disability...
...it doesn't limit me at all
[Narrator] Being the focus of attention comes naturally to 21 year old Loren
She uses her talents to teach disabled children at Star Jam
[Loren] I hope what I'm teaching them is how to be confident...
...and how to take on the challenges that life throws at them
[They cheer]
[Narrator] Jordon Milroy has a message for the world...
...and he's literally shouting it from the rooftops...
...of the globe's tallest towers
[Narrator] Jordon has cerebral palsy and needs a walker or wheelchair...
...to get around
Yet last year, he climbed Auckland's Sky Tower...
...all 1029 steps, reaching the top in just over one hour
Jordon's popular, he has nearly 5,000 fans worldwide
...so far!
[Narrator] Jordon's ultimate goal is to climb the world's tallest tower...
...the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
[Narrator] 22 year old Olivia Shivas is focused on making a name...
...for herself in print
[Olivia] I want to be a journalist, the goal in the end...
...is just to see more people with disabilities...
...in the mainstream media and proving to people...
...that they can be just as professional and do their job...
...just as well as any other person
[Narrator] Olivia was born with muscular dystrophy
The AUT student encounters issues around accessibility every day
This year, Olivia had her first taste of working in the media...
...as an intern for Attitude Pictures
Olivia spent eight years teaching performing arts as a leader for Star Jam
[Olivia] As I've grown up, I've learnt that I'm the one...
...that can be helping other people
I've got special skills that other people won't have...
...and I think I really want to use them
[Narrator] Mary Fisher exploded onto the world's swimming scene...
...at the 2012 London Paralympics
She took everyone by surprise, winning a gold medal...
...two silvers, a bronze and breaking a world record
It was her first Paralympics.
[Mary] When you're representing your country on the world stage...
...with 17,000 people going nuts in the stands...
...it's just kind of the most amazing thing I've ever done
[Narrator] Mary gradually lost her sight as a child
She adapted using her other senses
The 20 year old is now studying Speech and Language Therapy..
...at Massey University
[Mary] Ultimately, I'd love to work with people...
...and I've had so many different organisations and people around me growing up...
...I'd love to do that for other people in speech and language...
...which I have to use a lot
[Narrator] Earlier this year, Mary's Paralympic success was acknowledged
She was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
[Mary] There's a lot of things that keep me going
It's all my friends and family that support me...
...and representing New Zealand, you're away with a group of people...
...who've put their lives on hold to do everything they can...
...to racing at elite level and that's something really special
[Narrator] Cameron Leslie strives for constant improvement
At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Cameron claimed gold in the 150 meters...
...medley
And smashed his own world record
[Cameron] To win my gold medal in London was extremely satisfying
You've worked so hard for it and you've given up so much...
...that it's just so good to actually finally achieve...
...what you set out to do four years earlier
[Narrator] Born without fully-formed limbs, Cameron admits his success comes...
...from a determination to prove his capabilities
[Cameron] I think my successes in the sporting world...
...helped me gain a bit of confidence about myself
Part of that comes from being thrust in to the limelight...
...and people recognizing you on the street
I think it's a good thing to have a bit of extra confidence...
...and that sort of thing, because you need it sometimes...
...when you've got a disability
[Narrator] This year, Cameron became the sports reporter...
...for the Northern Advocate in Whangarei
[Cameron] I think my work with the Northern Advocate...
...is important to me because it shows...
...that you're more than just a sportsperson
Yes, I do sports reporting, but I've gone off, got a degree...
...and got a career from it now
[Narrator] One way or the other, there'll be more headlines...
...on the horizon for Cameron Leslie
[Narrator] At the London Paralympics, cyclist Philippa Gray took the trifecta...
...gold, silver and bronze
[Philippa] To be an elite athlete, it takes a lot of dedication
My life revolves around my training and cycling
And if it was easy, everyone would do it
But because it's hard and we keep pushing though during the hard times...
...I think that's what makes the difference between an elite athlete...
...and a normal athlete
[Narrator] 24 year old Philippa has just 3 percent vision and severe hearing loss
Co-pilot Laura Fairweather acts as Philippa's eyes
Having a visual impairment, it sort of motivates me to see and do things...
...now while I'm younger, just in case I do lose it
However, having a disability doesn't make me want to chase success...
...more than anybody else
I want to chase it, because I want to do it myself
Their partnership delivered a new world record...
...in the 3,000 meters pursuit
Roll on Rio 2016!
[Narrator] Swimmer and multiple medallist, that's Sophie Pascoe
An undisputed star of the 2012 Paralympics
[Announcer] Take your marks
[Starting buzzer]
[Narrator] Sophie slashed her times and boosted her medal haul...
...three gold, three silver and two world records
[Sophie] Yeah, I had very high expectations but I conquered all of them
I did exactly what I wanted to do and it's a pretty amazing feeing...
...knowing that you're not only doing the gold for yourself...
...but you're achieving the gold for the rest of New Zealand
[Narrator] Sophie had her leg amputated when she was just two...
...the result of a lawnmower accident
She began swimming at seven
She's now a household name
[Sophie] I swim at elite level, because it's the ultimate goal
For me, I'm just fortunate that it's turned into a job as well
And I just do what I love
[Narrator] This year, Sophie was honoured as the Halberg Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
I've got so much to fulfil throughout the years...
...and I can do that by putting it in the pool
[Narrator] Phil Spring's an artist and a problem solver
He's used trial, error and determination to perfect techniques...
...that bring his ideas onto canvas
[Phil] I love to challenge my mind as much as my body
When you're creating something, it gives you a real buzz
[Narrator] A rugby accident at the age of nineteen...
...left Phil tetraplegic
Painting was a way to express himself
[Phil] Art is an expression of a person and the way that they see things...
...that doesn't matter what disability you have
Anybody can be an artist
[Narrator] With minimal feeling left in his hands..
....paintings can take months to complete
[Phil] When I first started painting, I painted pictures for pleasure...
...but now I use my art to tell stories
[Narrator] Don't ever call Alisha McLennan "wheelchair-bound"
Her body is her artistic tool
[Narrator] Born with cerebral palsy, Alisha is continuously testing her body...
...in every training session
Alisha performs with contemporary dance company: Touch Compass
She's also excelled by going overseas, and training over there
That's what makes a great dancer, is knowing where the deficits are...
...and then going, getting extra training for them
And she's done that
[Narrator] Always a high-achiever, it's determination...
...that has audiences mesmerized
Her personal highlight was performing as the principal dancer...
...in last year's show, Spring
[Narrator] Alisha McLennan's multi-talented skills hint at a spectacular future
[Narrator] Tiffany Collett's paintings are in a striking neo-pop style
[Tiffany] It's overwhelming
It's just all new to me
Finding ways of becoming famous
[Narrator] Tiffany has a learning disability
From a young age, painting was her thing
The staff at Sands have drawn out her artistic ability...
...over the past two years
Tiffany's art's special because of the bright colours...
...it's very strong work
She keeps it very simple
And curators in galleries are actually asking for her work, now
[Narrator] The 24 year old does extensive online research...
...and then transfers her ideas onto canvas
Tiffany is her own biggest critic
[Tiffany] I ask myself if I think it's a strong painting...
...and if you can read the painting like you read a book
[Narrator] She's about to have her first solo exhibition of neo-pop art
And with fresh confidence up her sleeve, Tiffany's believing her own press
[Tiffany] I think I've become a better artist
And I'm quite proud of myself
[Narrator] Here at CCS Canterbury, a lived experience of disability...
...is a real plus on your CV
A solid, strategic plan means 60 percent of staff live with a disability
We need the best people to be doing this work...
...and sometimes the best people are people who have a disability
[Narrator] When Tara Loy applied for a job, managers recognized her abilities...
...first and foremost
[Tara] CCS has been very supportive of my visual disability
That has helped me get to where I need to be...
...so I can work and feel confident...
...and actually be a valued member of the company
[Narrator] CCS policy ensures people feel ok to ask for help in the workplace
And they provide transport to and from work...
...for anyone who needs it
A lot of that is about openness around what people need...
...what's working, what's not working, let's just find a way...
...to make it work, because it's a mutual thing
I learn and I get value from working with everyone...
...in this workplace
[Narrator] That's it from Matt, he's got to get back on the job
[He laughs]
[Narrator] Fairfax Media has recently recognized the valuable contribution...
...of disabled workers
Now it's going almost door-to-door, actively encouraging other companies...
...to follow suit
Project Manager Annamarie Jamieson started by creating two positions
Emma and Chloe both have intellectual disabilities...
...and love their jobs
There are so many people that are touched with a disability...
...why not represent that community in our workforce?
[Narrator] Chloe and Emma are Admin Assistants
The roles have been adjusted to suit their skills
But those skills keep growing, along with their confidence...
...and sense of independence
I love it
You know, the people are really nice, the company's nice...
...my boss is amazing
It's turned my life around
Because I thought I'd never get a job here
[Narrator] Excited by the impact of their employment strategy...
...Fairfax developed a campaign called Creative Spirit
My message to other employers, is absolutely give it a go
Why not step up and make a difference?
[Narrator] When Justin took over the family transport business...
...he wanted to make sure it maintained that family focus
The staff that work here from my perspective...
...I consider them friends as well as colleagues
[Narrator] Penny Fletcher had been working for Justin for just nine months...
...when she contracted meningitis
It resulted in the amputation of both her legs....
...and the fingers on one hand
Justin always reassured me that depending on the outcome...
...there would always be something here for me
And I think it was clear that Penny would be able...
...to have that focus
And returning to work was a big part of her rehabilitation
[Narrator] Funding was taking too long so Uzabus paid...
...for their own building modifications
Because at that time, Penny was using a wheelchair
[Penny] They lifted my desk up with 4 x 2s...
...because I couldn't fit under there in my wheelchair
We knocked out a wall to go to the toilet...
...because a wheelchair wouldn't fit in
[Narrator] When they'd finished, they went to her house...
...and sorted that out too
From an employee point of view, I think you get a lot of loyalty from that
And certainly that shows in their work and how they value their jobs as well
[Narrator] Thirty years: that's roughly how long 82 year old Glynis Collins...
...has spent poolside, supporting Special Olympics
Touch, go!
[Narrator] She's a volunteer for Special Olympics Whangarei
I just love doing it
You know, it's them achieving
Come on!
[Narrator] Glynis has five adult children
Her son, Darcy, has Down's syndrome
Glynis insists Darcy has got as much out of Special Olympics...
...as she's giving back to the organization
[Glynis] I'm challenged as well, because they're relying on someone....
...to bring the best out of them
[Narrator] Glynis is one of those tireless volunteers
She's a taxi driver...
...uniform manager and administrator
[Glynis] When I wake up in the morning, I think...
..."Oh well, another day! I'm here again," y'know
I never get tired of it
I just love people
[Narrator] Gary Endacott's life and work is about maximizing opportunities
Born with cerebral palsy, Gary was told he would never walk
...yet he's climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, completed the New York marathon...
...played rugby league
And he's former New Zealand and World disabled tennis champion
[Gary] The best way to change society's attitudes...
...is do things that people don't think we're capable of doing
You know, I always thought to die on a mountain...
...you had to stop
And I don't stop
[Narrator] Gary's the Disability Facilitator for the Ministry of Education
He says his experience of disability was the best qualification for his job
[Gary] It's one of the few jobs I'm going to go to...
...where I'm at an advantage
And even if some flash academic Harry goes to university for six years...
...they're not going to know what I know
[Narrator] Gary's approach to teaching is to prepare students...
...for the real world
[Gary] When I'm working with students, I always try and get them...
...to keep it realistic to their individual situation
And we need to get people ready for life...
...how it's going to be, not how it should be..
...or how we'd like it to be
[Laughing and shouting]
[Narrator] After work, Gary mentors young adults with disabilities
His message: simple, straightforward, just like Gary
[Gary] You've got to have aspirations and expectations
And disabilities will affect that it's not going to define me...
...on my life
[Narrator] Robyn Hunt should take a deep, proud bow
She's paved the way for the inclusion of people with disabilities
For eight years, she was New Zealand's Human Rights Commissioner
She was a driving force, demanding people with disabilities be included...
...as part of the Human Rights Act
[Robyn] And in my life I've watched disabled people...
...and particularly people with intellectual disabilities...
...being seen as not able to speak for themselves
And yet, I've seen people with intellectual disabilities...
...perform, in all kinds of situations, as well as anyone else
[Narrator] She started out as a feisty journalist...
...prejudice she experienced as a visually-impaired female reporter...
...made her determined to stand up for herself and others
[Robyn] I have faced discrimination on ridiculous grounds
I developed a social conscience early on, and I guess I just always...
...had a recognition of social justice issues
[Narrator] Robyn began a quest to change society...
...setting up the New Zealand Disabled Person's Associaion
Her smart ideas led to a role as an analyst...
...for the Royal Commission on Social Policy
She gets her messages out wherever she can...
...rallying people to blow the whistle on those who abuse others
[Robyn] Now I'm really after justice for other people...
...disabled women in particular, both here and internationally
We've still got a long way to go