2007 Episodes

Alternative education technique

We're reporting from Madrid, Spain. Hearing children of deaf parents straddle two cultures; signing and speaking. A support group, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), aims to support these young people with the responsibility of their dual roles.

Reporting/ signing from Madrid, Spain, is Lianna Kennedy. She's at the 15th Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf.

Nicky is a Go Kart racer.

Cameron is a Paralympic Swimmer.

This week Curtis reports from Taipei and the IWAS World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. Kiwi athlete Kate Horan reclaimed her world record, and earned a gold medal, in the 400m track event. Swimmer Sophie Pascoe (15) won four gold medals from four events -- definitely a top prospect for Beijing next year. Cameron Leslie achieved personal best times in his events.

Disabled travellers often face difficulties, especially when flying. Curtis discovers that EVA Air has given real thought to servicing it's disabled passengers. Larger toilets and well-trained staff make the journey that much more comfortable.

Attitude joins Patrick Bronte of Palmerston North as he conducts interviews for his website Nga Toa, dedicated to preserving the history of New Zealand's war veterans. Patrick, who broke his neck when he was 16, has recorded more than 400 hours of interviews.

Kiwi power lifter George Taamarua manages a massive 235.5kg -- not enough for a gold but easily enough to reach the qualifying standard for the paralympics.

We first met new mum Jenny Sosich, a woman with a physical disability, in 2005. At the time her son Matthew was 5 months old. Jenny was worried that she was about to lose funding to pay for the carer support she needs. We find out how Jenny and her toddler son are getting on.

Attitude's out playing tennis this week in an effort to push play. We're inspired by number one US wheelchair tennis player Beth. We meet up with Beth in Hawaii and discover that she's a role model for more than just her sporting achievements.

We're surfing Hawaii. Rich Julian's passionate about surfing, and can't bear to miss the next wave. He's a paraplegic who has adapted surfing for himself and other people with physical disabilities that want to be part of the action.

We're in beautiful Opotiki with wheelchair racer Matthew Lack. A life with spina bifida hasn't deterred Mathew from realizing every target he sets. He's got his sites set on the 2012 Paralympics in London, and his coach is confident that medals are on the cards.

Blind beekeeper Bryce Hooten has finely tuned his other senses to care for his bees and build a successful business. He proved his detractors wrong and his Matamata company now exports honey all over the world.

Leaving school is a big deal for anyone. The young adults at Sommerville School tell Curtis about the British programme they have adopted to make that step a little less daunting.

We're at the Rugby event of the year...ok, well its not the world cup, but grassroots Auckland Grammar versus Kings College. And the Grammar boys pass on a few of their skills with an upcoming rugby team from South Auckland - so we could be forgiven for being a little biased.

We're with amputee Jayne Craike, and her brand new horse at the World Para Dressage Champs in the UK. Will Jayne and horse Robert de Niro be able to adjust to one another in time for the competition?

Duane Kale retired from swimming with a swag of gold medals under his belt. He is using his experience as a top athlete and successful businessman in his role as Chef de Mission for the NZ Paralympic team.

Athlete Kate Horan is building towards the Paralympics in Beijing. Kate is determined to have the best prosthetic leg to give her a competitive edge. Curtis went with her to the Gait Lb in Auckland where biomechanics analysed her running style.

Strokes are the greatest cause of disability in New Zealand. They're generally associated with older people. But 1 in every 20 strokes occur in people under the age of 45. Kia was just 15 when the unexpected happened. Two years on and she's making good progress.

Curtis and Tanya attend the Anniversary Celebrations for the North Harbour and Auckland Special Olympics organizations.

Bruce O'Halloran left his job as a chartered accountant to start a bike repair business, Adventure Cycles. Now he offers work to people with a disability. Bruce goes above and beyond the call of duty in supporting his workers.

Two gutsy cyclists have completed a three-week road trip around New Zealand on a unique tandem bike to highlight what disabled athletes are capable of. Rob Creagh is tetraplegic and uses hand pedals while John McPeak is partially blind and deaf.

Kate Clark was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was just 52 -- at a time when her career was in its prime. She has since become the first person with Alzheimer's to be on the board of Alzheimer's New Zealand.

Athlete and city councillor.

Ten years ago Dean Brennan had an accident that left him with no movement below his chin. But Dean had a passion -- gardening. Earlier this year a garden designed by Dean, and developed by supporters, was judged the best Housing New Zealand yard in the country.

Chris Hickling has always been passionate about track and field. In his youth he was one of the country's top sprinters. Almost twenty years on he's returned to the track, competing this time in a racing wheelchair!

Also attending the world cycling champs is Sam Eddie. She took up hand cycling less than a year ago. She's rocketed onto the international scene, winning four golds at an international competition in Australia and qualifying for the World Champs.

The winner of our Shortland Street competition. Attitude spends a day on the set of the Kiwi TV series.

This week (August 27-September 2) is the Cancer Society's awareness week...an ideal time to update you on the progress of Tae Kami, a young Tongan girl who's shown incredible courage as surgeons worked to eradicate a massive facial tumour.

Sophie Pascoe is just 14. Last year she competed in the IPC swimming champs in South Africa. She won bronze. Now all eyes are on her. Attitude will be following Sophie to the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports in Chinese Taipei in September.

Nicole MacConaghie has finally admitted she needs help. The Paraparaumu Mum is one of the youngest New Zealanders with Parkinson's Disease. She receives Ministry of Health funding for her own needs but no support to help look after her pre-schooler.

Jayne Parsons has already featured on Attitude several times. The blind cyclist is in France competing with her new tandem pilot Gabi Bahler. We talked to Jayne about her preparations.

We profile Attitude's very own editor Jai Waite.

Angela Behrens was just six weeks off having her first baby when she experienced a stroke. Five years on she's learnt to walk and talk again...and has even run the Sydney Marathon.

Earlier this year Melanie Trevethick spoke out against the inequity of funding for people with disability. She drew attention to the disparity between what ACC clients can receive in support compared to New Zealanders who receive support through the Ministry of Health. Today the issue is more basic. Melanie is struggling to find caregivers. And she's not alone.

When nine-year-old Shakti was born doctors predicted that he would live a bedridden existence. His parents focussed on finding fun ways to keep Shakti entertained. The spin-off? Shakti has extended his level of movement way beyond expectations. Just check out his tennis skills.

Samuel Gibson is experiencing fame! The mobility chair he designed caused a storm at a recent trade fair in Germany. Samuel has brittle bones and designed the chair for himself. Now he's on the brink of taking the product worldwide.

Grant Gillett, is a Neurosurgeon and Professor of medical ethics at the University of Otago. He's this country's leading expert on stem cell research. The New Zealand Ethics Committee is currently reviewing calls for a clinical trial of stem cell surgery for spinal cord patients. Grant Gillett explains what's involved.

Alice McConnochie is a twenty-year-old student with her heart set on being a fashion designer. She's studying fashion and wants to have her own label. We catch up with Alice in her new home where she's enjoying a new level of independence.

Terry Faleva'ai is ranked fourth in the world for shot-put and fourth for javelin. Twelve months ago Terry was Auckland based. Today Terry is living in the Waikato and he's seriously upped his training in a bid to win a medal at the Beijing paralympics.

Jimmy and Leo Brown both have Asperger syndrome. "Hustle for Russell" was a fundraising event staged to help their dad media commentator Russell Brown and his partner Fiona Rae get the best help for their sons. School is often a challenging environment for a child with Aspergers - this family now choses to home school their sons.

Pompe's Disease.

Heart transplant.

Attitude TV goes to the 'Race to the Sky'.

Stem Cell Debate.

Attitude TV catches up more potential Paralympians.

Tanya shows attitude with her rehabilitation programme.

Attitude goes to Massey University.

We celebrate some award winners.

Curtis rides the waves in Sydney.

Sarah is a young surfer from Sydney.

Attitude visit San Francisco.

Full story on our legless skateboarder.

Erin debut's on Shortland street.

Attitude viewer gets to audition for shortland street.

Blind cyclist, Jayne tackles the Taupo cycle race.

The Power of Attitude.

The Power of Attitude.

Celebrating Down Syndrome week.

One woman takes on the government.

The New York Marathon.