-
[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...
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...setting up the New Zealand
Disabled Person's Associaion
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Her smart ideas led to a role
as an analyst...
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...for the Royal Commission
on Social Policy
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She gets her messages out
wherever she can...
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...rallying people to blow the whistle
on those who abuse others
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[Robyn] Now I'm really after justice
for other people...
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...disabled women in particular,
both here and internationally
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We've still got a long way to go
