Attitude Awards 2009 nominees
Attitude Youth Award
Krystal Richmond
Krystal Richmond owes her life to surgeons who performed complex
open-heart surgery on her when she was a child. Born with a heart
defect, she spent months of her childhood in hospitals.
Now 17, Krystal lives with chronic pain.
Her experiences have driven her to volunteer for Heart Children -
her goal, to ensure kids born with heart conditions don't grow up
isolated.
Robbie Francis
Robbie Francis has a global vision - she wants to help solve world
poverty.
Earlier this year she worked as a Volunteer in the slums of
Calcutta, where she witnessed unfathomable poverty. The Waikato
woman is now committed to changing what she saw.
Robbie has phocomelia syndrome. Born with several bones missing
from her legs, she's endured numerous surgeries, and had her left
leg amputated at age 12. She may yet lose the other.
Despite a grueling time in Calcutta, she plans to study and
volunteer in Tel Aviv next year.
Katherine Rees
Savvy Katherine Rees jets to Wellington regularly as part of the
'Young People's Reference Group' - they keep the Children's
Commissioner briefed on key issues.
Katherine was born with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia.
Her goal... to expand her advocacy work and become a human rights
lawyer.
Spirit of Attitude Award
Karen Michalanney
Karen Michalanney signed on to the NZ Army's Nursing Corp intending
to help wounded soldiers, but lost her leg in a freak
accident.
Life dealt a second blow in 2004. A car accident resulted in a
serious head injury.
Karen used her long rehab to advance her career, enrolling in a
post grad diploma in Rehabilitation. She has since studied towards
a Masters in Health Science.
Now a field officer for the amputee society of Wellington, she has
only one assignment left to complete her degree. Later this month
she'll be capped!
Ben Hekenui
Ben Hekenui's disability is the result of an horrific work
accident. Crushed by a compacting machine, both legs were
amputated.
Within days of the accident he was determined he would walk, and
work again.
A keen rugby League player, his secondary goal... to compete in the
2012 Paralympics.
Less than two years on, Ben is walking unaided on prosthetics. He's
back working part time as a butcher, and yes, he's been identified
by Paralympics New Zealand! He's training in discuss, shot put and
weight lifting.
Ben has also proposed to Chrissie, his partner of 18 years.
Julie Woods
Julie Woods had lived most of her life with only partial sight.
Then within 3 months, she lost all her vision. That was 12 years
ago when she had two toddlers&. the loss was monumental.
Julie figured she just had to get on with it, and today she's a
life coach and a public speaker.
Her passion for independence spurred her to write a self-help book,
'how to make a silver lining', and establish a trust, 'Cooking
without Looking'.
Attitude Courage in Sport Award
Christian Nisbet
Eleven-year-old Christian Nisbet crushed his spine in a motocross
accident less than two years ago.
He immediately started talking about getting back to the sport he
loved, and a modified Kawasaki Teryx has allowed him to ride again.
His plan... to take up competitive kart racing.
There's no question he's back on 'the track'!
Matthew Aitken
Schoolboy Matthew Aitken was determined his intellectual disability
wouldn't hold him back - he hassled authorities to be allowed to go
to his local school.
His passion for sport grew at the school, which led to respect and
friendship from the other kids.
This year he won a prestigious Summer Blues Award in Athletics from
Otago Boys High School, he's captained Otago at the Independence
Games, and he's clocked up 3 gold medals at the New Zealand
Secondary Schools Athletics.
His sights are on representing New Zealand.
Liam Todd
Liam Todd's world turned upside down when he was just five.
First, he lost his father to Cancer, then Liam himself became one
of just twenty-three people in the world to be diagnosed with a
rare cancer that was invading his maxillary sinus.
A revolutionary 10-hour surgery removed the tumor, but left him
disfigured. Surgeons took a bone from his leg and performed major
facial reconstruction.
The cancer has left him blind in his right eye, he has trouble with
the ankle from where bone was transferred, and the right side of
his face remains numb.
Liam missed a lot of school while he was in hospital, but his
biggest distress was simply missing getting to play rugby with his
mates. Courageously, he's back playing full tackle in the under
9's.
He plays tight head prop... just like his Dad.
Attitude Sport Performer of the Year
Award
Adam Hall
Adam Hall was one of those kids who could never be tied down. He
set a goal at the age of 6 to be a ski champion.
Held in awe by disabled and non-disabled skiers alike, Adam was
named NZ snow sports person for 2009.
Adam has Spina Bifida and competes in the standing class for
skiing, despite having almost no muscle in his lower leg.
Last week Attitude traveled to Colorado where Adam is focusing on
winning Gold at the Winter Paralympics next March.
With 15 podium finishes for the 2008/2009 season and silver at the
World Cup finals in Canada he's ranked number 2 in the world.
David Monk
When members of New Zealand's blind lawn bowling association step
up to the mat, they know David Monk is the man to beat... he's won
the Men's singles title 7 times in the last 9 years.
At his local Gate Pa bowling club in Tauranga, he and wife Kath
regularly take on sighted players. Kath's his 'director'... they
have their own language which she uses to guide him on weight,
position, direction and distance.
David's regarded as a world leader. He's sought after for
advice nationally and internationally in the Blind Bowling
community.
Paula Tesoriero
Paula Tesoriero's spectacular tumble immediately after winning gold
at the Beijing Paralympics is an image we're all familiar with...
but what will be forever remembered is the grit the amputee rider
showed, getting back on her bike and going on to win two more
medals at the games.
This year has seen Paula better her World Record in the 500m Time
Trial and earn the World Championship jersey... lifting her profile
ever higher.
She's been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, and won three
gold's at the Paracycling World Cup in Manchester... all this while
working as a lawyer for the justice department!
Recently named Wellington Sportswoman of the Year, she gives back
to her community through speaking engagements, and visits to
schools and community groups.
Attitude Artistic Achievement Award
Glynne MacLean
When children's author Glynn MacLean was growing up, words puzzled
her. She has dyslexia.
Then Twenty years ago a series of unexplained episodes of ataxia
left her with severe brain damage. It's amazing Glynne can read or
write at all.
To overcome her disabilities, she uses speech recognition
technology.
Today, Glynn MacLean is the proud author of five books, published
in New Zealand and Australia ...all in the last 12 months.
She's won the prestigious Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New
Talent, and she's had one of those books listed as a New Zealand
Listener Best Book.
Rodney Bell
Growing up in Te Kuiti, Rodney Bell was unsure of his future.
It was only when he was paralysed in a motorbike accident he
discovered his passion as a disabled dancer.
That was 1996. Since then his artistic ability has taken him around
the world... teaching dance to people of all abilities.
Rodney was sought out by the prestigious Axis Dance Company in San
Francisco, where he now lives.
Mary Dennis
Mary Dennis experienced a childhood plagued by mental
illness... starting when she was still in primary school. She was
committed to a psychiatric ward when she was 14.
Throughout the dark times Mary found solace in writing.
Her writing has been honoured with awards from the Sunday Star
Times and poetry competitions in the United Kingdom and Italy. In
July this year she even won the esteemed Big 'A' Winton and
Margaret Bear Young Artist Award.
She writes to help others. In Wellington, she's a Youth Peer
Advisor, and she's designing a workshop using artistic expression
to help people with mental illness.
Attitude Community Award
Julie Bartlett
Julie Bartlett launched the kids show Star Jam In 2002. Her
inspiration was her brother Ross, who has Down Syndrome.
Starting with just 12 kids in the first production, there have now
been over 500 kids involved in 10 major shows and more than 20
performances. The Star Jam kids find their confidence soaring as
they realise their potential.
Star Jam is set to take off throughout the country... but Julie has
a grander, global vision.
Vanassa McGoldrick
Vanassa McGoldrick is on a mission... to uphold the rights of
disabled people.
A legal Executive and dedicated advocate, Vanassa juggles roles on
a whole bunch of governance bodies.
Single mum Vanassa has Nail Patella syndrome, which is
characterized by absent kneecaps and thumbnails& but nothing
holds this woman back!
Beverley Grammer
Beverley Grammer has a bee in her bonnet!
She has spinal muscular atrophy. And she's frustrated by how hard
it is to get basic information about rights and services.
Beverley has started an online community hub to share information
about the disability sector, and change attitudes.
Outside of her work, her greatest pride is being 'Aunty Bev' to her
two nieces and a nephew. It's the simple things in life that
inspire her most.
Attitude ACC Employer Award
Melrose Kiwi Concept Chairs
Engineer Phil Melrose is a classic Kiwi 'can do' guy.
When he became a paraplegic he decided he could make a better
wheelchair than any he saw on the market& Melrose Kiwi Concept
Chairs were an instant success.
From working out of his garage in the early 90's, the company's now
world class, manufacturing from a purpose built factory in
Christchurch... and they're taking on the U.S. market.
The company employs over 20 staff, including seven with
disabilities.
New World Victoria Park
The inclusive atmosphere at New World, Victoria Park in Auckland
ensures people with a range of disabilities not only work at the
supermarket, they rise through the ranks!
Take Peter Murdie, a polio survivor... he started as a Produce
Manager 10 years ago and is now managing Fresh Foods, one of the
biggest departments in the store.
Blenheim Foods
Blenheim Foods, owned by Mark and Shelly Witchalls, is a small
business with a big social conscience. All their factory employees
have disabilities.
They're part of an initiative with the Department of Social
Development and WINZ. Their products are the first to have labels
that state they're a Workbridge supported workplace.
Mark and Shelly are driven by their own experiences. Their daughter
has a disability and they feared for her wellbeing in the
community.
Although the culture is one of support, there's definitely no room
for slackers at Blenheim Foods!
Attitude Hall of Fame
Robert Martin
Robert Martin has led the world as a self-advocate for more than 25
years. He insists people with intellectual disabilities have the
right to determine their own lives.
Institutionalised until he was fifteen. Robert is very aware of the
injustice people with a disability face in everyday life, and he's
seeking accountability.
Employed by the United Nations for 12 years, he was instrumental in
drafting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities.
Attitude Person of the Year
Mackenzie Kench
As a disabled teenager, life is full of frustration for Mackenzie
Kench, She has cerebral palsy and uses a talk link device to
communicate, which is operated by her big toe.
She can't easily join in a conversation; it takes a while for her
to type up what she wants to say... by then the conversation has
moved on.
Despite the extra effort homework takes, Mac is excelling at NCEA.
A budding Marine Biologist, she fully expects to go to
University.
Mackenzie wants people with disabilities to get recognition for
their talents and contributions.
