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Being Me: William
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety as a child, 25-year-old William Luskie is now an advocate for Kiwis living with a disability, and always has a creative project on the go.
![Being Me: Sarah Morrell](/media/crop/6329866925112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Sarah Morrell
Sarah Morrell has a rare genetic condition called Morquio IV which means she is just one metre tall....
Being Me: Sarah Morrell
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Being Me: Te Huia Apaapa
26-year-old Te Huia Apaapa is a gifted runner and triathlete known as ‘The Rocketman’. Te Huia has a...
Being Me: Te Huia Apaapa
![Being Me: Joshua Sade-Inia](/media/crop/6326210392112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Joshua Sade-Inia
Joshua Sade-Inia is a burns survivor who’s scars cover half of his body. To Josh they represent his ...
Being Me: Joshua Sade-Inia
![Being Me](/media/crop/6135894704001/image.jpg)
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Being Me
The quintessential Attitude episode. Being Me tells the story of remarkable individuals who face the...
Being Me
![Being Me: Juanita Willems](/media/crop/6316174105112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Juanita Willems
Pre-Christmas Juanita Willems is flat out, collecting, wrapping and distributing presents for foste...
Being Me: Juanita Willems
![Being Me: Bailee Lobb](/media/crop/6316123464112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Bailee Lobb
Installation artist Bailee Lobb uses her colourful works to explore lived experience of disability, ...
Being Me: Bailee Lobb
![Being Me Rex](/media/crop/6086895372001/image.jpg)
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Being Me Rex
Rhys Davies was a successful I.T. engineer before a head injury changed life dramatically. He's not ...
Being Me Rex
![Being Me: Veronique Theberge](/media/crop/6306574992112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Veronique Theberge
Five years on from an acquired brain injury due to encephalitis, Veronique Theberge is training for ...
Being Me: Veronique Theberge
![Being Me: Ian](/media/crop/6086898635001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Ian
Ian Stewart is a flamboyant 24-year-old with an eye for fashion, beauty and soap operas. But when dy...
Being Me: Ian
![Being Me: Sam Smith](/media/crop/6086895368001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Sam Smith
Sam Smith is a comedian and a new dad. He doesn't take life too seriously but he's just been diagnos...
Being Me: Sam Smith
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Being Us: Andrey and Eilish
Best friends Andrey and Eilish are the Yin to each other's Yang and would be lost without one anothe...
Being Us: Andrey and Eilish
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Being Me: Steff Green
Author Steff Green writes full-time from her home in the Kaipara Harbour. Legally blind, Steff was o...
Being Me: Steff Green
![Being Me: Cyrus](/media/crop/6272748737001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Cyrus
Resourceful 13-year-old Cyrus, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, wanted an accessible swing in the park...
Being Me: Cyrus
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Being Me: Eamon
32-year-old Eamon Wood has travelled all over the world in his wheelchair. Now he’s back home in Chr...
Being Me: Eamon
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Being Me: John
Sport has been a huge part of John Marrable’s life since an accident put him in a wheelchair. His ma...
Being Me: John
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Being Me: Lusi
Groundbreaking performer Lusi Faiva reconnects with her Samoan heritage as she makes her mark on Wel...
Being Me: Lusi
![Being Me: Devon Briggs](/media/crop/6312938588112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Devon Briggs
Para-athlete Devon Briggs was born with severe clubfeet, twisted backwards. The 18-year-old has end...
Being Me: Devon Briggs
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Being Me: Ripu
Ripu was 21, living in Sydney and finishing a Masters in Journalism when meningococcal septicaemia n...
Being Me: Ripu
![Being Me: Dillon Maydon](/media/crop/6306417665112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Dillon Maydon
Dillon's life was altered at just eighteen when he was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare ge...
Being Me: Dillon Maydon
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Being Me Sam
Sam Humphrey is the height of your average 7-year old. Except that he's not 7 - he's 22. However Sam...
Being Me Sam
![Being Me Alix](/media/crop/6086893167001/image.jpg)
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Being Me Alix
Alix Generous has spoken at the United Nations, made a significant contribution to science, given tw...
Being Me Alix
![Being Me: Aidan Terpstra](/media/crop/6310438947112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Aidan Terpstra
Aidan’s life changed forever when he was knocked out with a king-hit punch. The injury to his brain ...
Being Me: Aidan Terpstra
![Being Me: Jono](/media/crop/6256977944001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Jono
At birth, Jono Nelson was given just 24 hours to live. Now the Timaru-based hand cyclist, who lives ...
Being Me: Jono
![Being Us: Liam and Shane](/media/crop/6086893166001/image.jpg)
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Being Us: Liam and Shane
Liam has Down Syndrome, and while technically Shane is teaching him life skills, Liam's the one who'...
Being Us: Liam and Shane
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Being Me: Brylee
At six, Brylee Mills lost her arm, and has been coming to terms with it ever since. She's embarking ...
Being Me: Brylee
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Being Me Nick
Nick Chisholm is a body builder whose body is paralysed, a talker who spells words out with his eyes...
Being Me Nick
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Being Me: Geneva
Geneva Tino's cerebral palsy means she needs a TalkLink device to communicate... ironically the 24-y...
Being Me: Geneva
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Being Me: Josh Davies
26-year-old Josh Davies is a stand-up comedian trying to turn making people laugh into a full time l...
Being Me: Josh Davies
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Being Us: Nathan and Michael
A friendship born out of a love for sport, Nathan and Michael's fates aligned thanks to their passio...
Being Us: Nathan and Michael
![Being Me: Kiranjit Singh](/media/crop/6313318225112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Kiranjit Singh
Tetraplegic, Kiranjit Singh, is competing to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics in Para-sport shooting...
Being Me: Kiranjit Singh
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Being Me: Gigi
Gigi, a sassy girl with Down Syndrome from a small town America has a big dream - to walk the catwal...
Being Me: Gigi
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Being Me: Petra
When she was six Petra was diagnosed with cancer. She beat it - four times before she was sixteen. N...
Being Me: Petra
![Being Me Freedom](/media/crop/6086889602001/image.jpg)
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Being Me Freedom
Freedom was diagnosed with eye cancer at three months old, having both eyes removed by age five. Now...
Being Me Freedom
![Being Me: Cody Steps Up](/media/crop/6074257924001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Cody Steps Up
Tetraplegia hasn’t stopped wheelchair rugby star Cody Everson from stepping up to adulthood. He owns...
Being Me: Cody Steps Up
![Being Me: Susan Williams 8/5/22](/media/crop/6305687855112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Susan Williams 8/5/22
Non-binary performance artist Susan Williams adores theatre. Their latest show, Illegally Blind, is ...
Being Me: Susan Williams 8/5/22
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Being Me: Brent Eyskens
Unable to communicate verbally, songwriter Brent Eyskens - who lives with Cerebral Palsy - has found...
Being Me: Brent Eyskens
![Being Me: Robbie](/media/crop/6086889608001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Robbie
Robbie Francis is 27, and doing her bit to change the world. She's bringing together disability, sus...
Being Me: Robbie
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Being Me: Carlos
Carlos Biggeman is an award-winning photographer, he’s about to publish a book of his work. He was b...
Being Me: Carlos
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Being Me: Jared Flitcroft
Jared Flitcroft is a filmmaker, businessman, family man, and he is Deaf. Overcoming barriers to achi...
Being Me: Jared Flitcroft
![Being Me: Eltje](/media/crop/6086897539001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Eltje
Eltje lived for cycling and competing. While out training, she was struck by a car and suffered a tr...
Being Me: Eltje
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Being Me: Danielle Aitchison
Danielle Aitchison was born with Cerebral Palsy. As a child she struggled to walk, but her family en...
Being Me: Danielle Aitchison
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Being Me: Claire
Claire Freeman's achieved a lot since a spinal injury that put her in a wheelchair at 17, a design d...
Being Me: Claire
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Being Me: Jason
Throughout childhood Jason Edgecombe was different and suffered endless rejection. But a diagnosis o...
Being Me: Jason
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Being Me: Rachael Leahcar
Australian singer-songwriter, Rachael Leahcar, was born with retinitis pigmentosa and at 25-years-ol...
Being Me: Rachael Leahcar
![Being Me: Hayley](/media/crop/6086889603001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Hayley
17-year-old double amputee, Haley Birch is breaking records. Having survived meningococcal disease, ...
Being Me: Hayley
![Being Me Shakti](/media/crop/6086898637001/image.jpg)
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Being Me Shakti
Shakti Krishnan is leaving his family to pursue tertiary life in the big smoke, and to prove to his ...
Being Me Shakti
![Being Me: Heather](/media/crop/6086897535001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Heather
As Heather Lawson turns heads while walking the streets of Melbourne with her dressed-up walking can...
Being Me: Heather
![Being Me: Cory](/media/crop/6198602223001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Cory
Punk-rock frontman Cory Newman is creating big waves with his band. The award-winning 17-year-old, w...
Being Me: Cory
![Being Me: William](/media/crop/6063670165001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: William
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety as a child, 25-year-old William Luskie is now an...
Being Me: William
![Being Me: Erica](/media/crop/6088878702001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Erica
Born with a rare condition that affects her outward appearance, Erica Perry proves it’s what’s on th...
Being Me: Erica
![Being Me: Rachel Māia](/media/crop/6055707819001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Rachel Māia
Rachel Māia lives in constant pain, considering amputating her leg to reach new heights.
Being Me: Rachel Māia
![Being Me: Barney Looks Back](/media/crop/6075461535001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Barney Looks Back
Barney lost his hands and legs from meningitis as a baby. At 25, he looks back on the life lessons ...
Being Me: Barney Looks Back
![Being Me: Samarra](/media/crop/6074620214001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Samarra
Samarra Wright grew up fearing she’d get MND - it killed her mother and many of her wider family. H...
Being Me: Samarra
![Being Me: Jack](/media/crop/6074265002001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Jack
At 18, Jack Brown made a decision that would put him in a wheelchair for life. Facing his new realit...
Being Me: Jack
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Being Me: Sarah
Though born with CHARGE syndrome, 22-year-old Sarah Dalton doesn’t let it define her. She’s an avid ...
Being Me: Sarah
![Being Me: Joshua](/media/crop/6074540719001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Joshua
Joshua Sade-Inia is a burns survivor. The scars, which cover almost half his body represent his ins...
Being Me: Joshua
![Being Me: Ming Ming](/media/crop/6178583190001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Ming Ming
Blind since birth, Ming Ming has never let that stop him being involved in everything from cricket t...
Being Me: Ming Ming
![Being Me: Kasem](/media/crop/6196202034001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Kasem
13-year-old refugee Kasem lost his leg and much of his upper arm in a bomb attack in Syria, which al...
Being Me: Kasem
William Luskie is a 25 year-old dancer and artist living in Dunedin. He catches the bus into town, meets up with friends and lives with his cat, Monty. He is a Disability Advocate and Advisor for the Donald Beasley Institute and a self-described ‘Platist’.
When he was 14 he was diagnosed with autism and aspergers but he does not let this stop him; “I think I’m just a normal human being, it’s just my confidence and anxiety that plays up.”
Will has been living in many different houses in the residential service sector, and other people have done the decision-making for him.
But recently he has decided he wants to make the decisions for himself and take control of his own life, he says “I’m just trying to explore who I am and fight for my own self.”
Will describes himself as a ‘Platist’ which he defines as “When you have too much on your plate and it’s just trying to have a diverse range of activities or tasks or interests in your daily life.”
As a Disability Advocate and Advisor at the Donald Beasley Institute, William researches education in the field of disability, with a particular focus on learning disability. Will’s role is to help come up with ideas in the theorising part of the Institute.
His mentors at the Institute are helping him to research the different options for housing which he could pursue to increase his independence.
When he was looking for a new place to live to get out of residential service homes, Mel Smith General Manager of CCS Disability Action says “In true Will fashion he just keeps going and keeps looking for the next solution and the next idea.”
Will loves to dance to express himself, and last year he did a solo which told the story of all of his thoughts and feelings. He dances with Hahna Briggs who co-founded the Gasp! Dance Collective, an inclusive dance class. Hahna believes; “Dance is just such an amazing art form for anyone that maybe finds words difficult or for some people who have a lot of words to express themselves.”
He also enjoys art which he does at Studio 2, “I just started coming here to express myself.”
That same creative desire to express himself has led him to explore public speaking where one day Will wandered into a Toastmasters class, “It’s helping me in terms of public speaking, I just need to keep expanding and growing.”
Will is also striving to put more effort into making friends, “I’ve sort of not really engaged or invested enough emotionally or socially in friendships, I find it sort of easier in a professional relationship.”
A sentiment supported by Will’s friend Josh,”I’ve seen a significant change in his confidence, he’s still got a long way to go but he’ll get there.”
Winning the Leadership Award at the 2018 Attitude Awards is proof that Will’s way of embracing life is paying off. To have the self-belief and confidence to know “I’ve got this” shows how far Will has come. Mel Smith believes “the journey that he’s made, he’s been braver than most of us ever have to be.”
![Being Me: William](/media/crop/6063670165001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: William
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety as a child, 25-year-old William Luskie is now an...
Being Me: William
![My Perfect Family:Fragile X](/media/crop/6074244225001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family:Fragile X
To discover you’re the carrier of the genetic condition Fragile X only after your children are born ...
My Perfect Family:Fragile X
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Crips In Cars: Jess & Jason
Jessica Tyson is Miss World New Zealand and a mental health advocate. Jason Gillard has channelled h...
Crips In Cars: Jess & Jason
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Crips In Cars: Paula & Hunter
Paula Bennett is a politician and former Deputy Prime Minister. Hunter McGregor studied media design...
Crips In Cars: Paula & Hunter
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My Perfect Family: Hunter
Hunter McGregor is a passionate gamer, a design school graduate, and he runs a B&B with his mum, Roi...
My Perfect Family: Hunter
![My Perfect Family: Welcome Home Stevie](/media/crop/6086884365001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Welcome Home Stevie
Murray and Janine's son Steven was a gentle boy with autism. 18 months ago he left their house with ...
My Perfect Family: Welcome Home Stevie
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Unlocking Autism
As a neurologist and mother, Ros Hill is determined to unlock the mysteries of autism.
Unlocking Autism
![My Perfect Family: Courtenay](/media/crop/6086889605001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Courtenay
Demar Gear was just five months old when she contracted meningitis, leaving her unable to walk or ta...
My Perfect Family: Courtenay
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The Mutes
In this rock-u-mentary we go on tour with The Mutes from Mars. They've been madly practicing for one...
The Mutes
![Being Me Alix](/media/crop/6086893167001/image.jpg)
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Being Me Alix
Alix Generous has spoken at the United Nations, made a significant contribution to science, given tw...
Being Me Alix
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Seclusion
Ashley lives with autism, behavioural challenges and mental un-wellness. He's in a secure mental hea...
Seclusion
![Being Me: Jason](/media/crop/6086895365001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Jason
Throughout childhood Jason Edgecombe was different and suffered endless rejection. But a diagnosis o...
Being Me: Jason
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My Perfect Family: Meet the Asners
They call themselves the "The Brady Bunch of Autism". Descendants of Hollywood royalty, Matt and Nav...
My Perfect Family: Meet the Asners
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Damiana Rides Again
For years Damian Day has cycled up and down New Zealand searching for a place to fit in. Has he fina...
Damiana Rides Again
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Philip's Puppets
Meet Philip - a quirky puppeteer living with Autism. With the help of 2 puppets he's spreading a mes...
Philip's Puppets
![My Perfect Family: Twins](/media/crop/6086897533001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Twins
For young mum Nikki Stokes being a mother of five means there's never a dull moment. With non-verbal...
My Perfect Family: Twins
![Jimmy Wants a Job](/media/crop/6086898628001/image.jpg)
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Jimmy Wants a Job
Twenty-two-year-old Jimmy Rae Brown wants a job, he loves film and he may just have found the perfec...
Jimmy Wants a Job
![Josh Flannagan: Horse Whisperer](/media/crop/6086899029001/image.jpg)
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Josh Flannagan: Horse Whisperer
Humans and the way they behave have always confused Josh Flannagan but his special affinity with hor...
Josh Flannagan: Horse Whisperer
![My Perfect Family: Scruff's Bunch](/media/crop/6086925157001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Scruff's Bunch
Kim Preston (Scruff) reckon's she'll be caring for her three adult sons with Autism until she 'carks...
My Perfect Family: Scruff's Bunch
![Sam's Big Adventure](/media/crop/6086928939001/image.jpg)
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Sam's Big Adventure
Sam Muir-James can swim to Rangitoto Island, perform magic tricks and make children laugh. He doesn'...
Sam's Big Adventure
![Being Matt Frost](/media/crop/6103197994001/image.jpg)
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Being Matt Frost
When the personal becomes political: Matt Frost, policy advisor and advocate asks us to take a walk ...
Being Matt Frost
![Hunter's Universe: Hunter's World](/media/crop/6103203978001/image.jpg)
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Hunter's Universe: Hunter's World
Hunter is a young guy living with Autism. He has an unusual way of looking at the world. He writes s...
Hunter's Universe: Hunter's World
![Four Go Flatting](/media/crop/6103203979001/image.jpg)
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Four Go Flatting
Four young people reckon it's time they moved out of home and went flatting. But with intellectual d...
Four Go Flatting
![Brothers and Sisters](/media/crop/6103204181001/image.jpg)
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Brothers and Sisters
The unique perspective of those closest to us, our brothers and sisters.
Brothers and Sisters
![My Perfect Family: Kim Preston](/media/crop/6103204485001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Kim Preston
Raising three boys is always a big task, especially when two of them have severe autism. But Kim Pre...
My Perfect Family: Kim Preston
![Tiny Houses Jason Gillard](/media/crop/6126058911001/image.jpg)
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Tiny Houses Jason Gillard
Jason has autism and never fit in with his peers at school. But it's his quirks and attention to det...
Tiny Houses Jason Gillard
![My Perfect Family: The Priestleys](/media/crop/6188999012001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: The Priestleys
Four of the six Priestley family members live with Autism. Because they’re able to function at a hig...
My Perfect Family: The Priestleys
![My Perfect Family: The Cookie Project](/media/crop/6203754874001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: The Cookie Project
Born with disabilities including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Ngā Hou now works as a baker at The Cookie ...
My Perfect Family: The Cookie Project
![Born Different](/media/crop/6234751954001/image.jpg)
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Born Different
James, a teenager with autism, knows what it’s like to feel like an outsider. He wrestles between st...
Born Different
![My Perfect Family: Melody](/media/crop/6248479021001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Melody
Within just one year Melody entirely lost her vision, gave birth to her first child, and left her ho...
My Perfect Family: Melody
![Being Me: Denise](/media/crop/6276994024001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Denise
Living with autism and anxiety disorder has made social connections difficult for Denise. But in a n...
Being Me: Denise
![Being Me: Julia](/media/crop/6284945099001/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Julia
Artist and disability activist Julia Young lives with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. She has learned to...
Being Me: Julia
![My Perfect Family: Georgia Heard](/media/crop/6304449016001/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Georgia Heard
Georgia Heard thought she had parenting all mapped out. But when the younger of her two boys was di...
My Perfect Family: Georgia Heard
![My Perfect Family: Grace Payne](/media/crop/6314087932112/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Grace Payne
Grace Payne is a powerlifter who has competed in the Special Olympics as an autistic athlete. Now, 2...
My Perfect Family: Grace Payne
![My Perfect Family: Mitch Brown](/media/crop/6338215880112/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Mitch Brown
20-year-old Mitch lives on Aotea/Great Barrier Island with his dad and sister. Mitch lives with auti...
My Perfect Family: Mitch Brown
![Tiny Houses Jason Gillard](/media/crop/6126058911001/image.jpg)
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Tiny Houses Jason Gillard
Jason has autism and never fit in with his peers at school. But it's his quirks and attention to det...
Tiny Houses Jason Gillard
![My Perfect Family: Grace Payne](/media/crop/6314087932112/image.jpg)
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My Perfect Family: Grace Payne
Grace Payne is a powerlifter who has competed in the Special Olympics as an autistic athlete. Now, 2...
My Perfect Family: Grace Payne
![Being Me: Te Huia Apaapa](/media/crop/6327113763112/image.jpg)
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Being Me: Te Huia Apaapa
26-year-old Te Huia Apaapa is a gifted runner and triathlete known as ‘The Rocketman’. Te Huia has a...
Being Me: Te Huia Apaapa
![Bulletproof: Ashley](/media/crop/6083536156001/image.jpg)
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Bulletproof: Ashley
30-year-old Ashley Treseder dived off a pier in NSW and broke his neck. Now fresh out of rehab and i...
Bulletproof: Ashley