1 UPLIFTING MUSIC Captions by Pippa Jefferies. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2015 GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC ROOSTERS CROW We last met Luisa Saupo in 2013, about to have the baby no one thought was possible. GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES PEOPLE SING IN DISTANCE BIRDS CHIRP, TRAFFIC PASSES BY Luisa's son, Lance, is now 2 years old and lives with his grandmother in Hamilton. TV: As a child... His only contact with his mum has been over Skype or watching videos. She repeatedly fractured her bones. Two years ago Luisa had to make an impossible choice. Lance has watched this video dozens of times. He's used to it now, but at first it was very raw. In her first days out of hospital, Luisa stays with her sister in Auckland. < It's a large blended family, and they welcome a cousin from Samoa. < LUISA: There is no support for me and my baby back home. < It's the reason why... WOMAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY Lance is returning to Samoa with his grandmother. It's the first time since Luisa gave him up, at the request of family. PEOPLE CHATTER, PA CHIMES Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Virgin Samoa Flight VA91 to Apia. If we have any families with infants, they're also welcome to come forward, thank you. RELAXED GUITAR MUSIC But,... you know... PEOPLE SING IN DISTANCE (COOS) GENTLE MUSIC (COOS) Luisa was born with a rare genetic disorder known as osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bones. As a child, she constantly broke bones throughout her body. Surgeons inserted steel rods into both legs so she could walk. GENTLE MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES Hey. When her entire family moved to NZ, they left Luisa behind in Samoa with her grandmother. They were told she couldn't get permanent residency because of her disability. PEOPLE CHATTER GENTLE MUSIC PEOPLE CHATTER (SPEAKS SAMOAN) LAUGHTER (SPEAKS SAMOAN) GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC As an adult, Luisa has strived to be independent. She's found some work but never married. She's needed family to support her. Then at 32, she found out she was pregnant. Doctors feared Luisa's body couldn't cope with a pregnancy, so the Samoan government appealed to NZ to give Luisa a special medical visa. But there was an expectation from her government. If tests proved the baby also has brittle bones, the pregnancy will be terminated. GENTLE PIANO MUSIC Lance was born by Caesarean completely healthy but eight weeks premature. Doctors were astounded Luisa's body could carry the baby even that long. Just days later she's striding around the hospital. GENTLE MUSIC GENTLE MUSIC FADES LANCE CRIES, PEOPLE MURMUR Luisa's mother has travelled up from Wellington to help her cope. Even picking up baby Lance is hard for Luisa. Oh. Yay. But Luisa's medical visa is limited. Once she recovers from her Caesarean, she must leave NZ. (CRIES) Oh. GENTLE MUSIC Luisa's decided to apply for NZ residency so her mother can help raise the baby. Oh! After a few weeks, Luisa's mother returned home to her own children and took the baby with her. (LAUGHS, MURMURS) Luisa's had to stay in Auckland for medical appointments. At last Luisa is reunited with her baby in Wellington. BIRDS CHIRP Luisa's mother is working around the clock. She arrives home from her cleaning job at daybreak to take over the morning care. And what`? What will Luisa do, do you think? > In NZ? > GENTLE MUSIC Luisa's bid to stay in NZ was rejected. And even though Lance was born in NZ, he too must leave the country. DOWNBEAT MUSIC PEOPLE CHATTER There's no government funding back in Samoa to support Luisa or her baby, so that means Luisa's mum must go as well, leaving her own children and husband behind. MEN SING IN SAMOAN, PLAY DRUMS MEN CONTINUE SINGING 1 SINGING FADES Baby Lance is only 3 months old, but already he's almost half Luisa's height. And Lance is getting bigger every day. (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) Luisa's mum can't stay in Samoa for long. One option is for her to adopt her grandson, separating Luisa from her baby. (GRUNTS) It's the hardest decision to make at the moment. I have to make my mum happy for everything she's done for me. (CALLS OUT) (GRUNTS) Ah, so heavy. ROOSTER CROWS Here. Luisa's mum is convinced she needs to take Lance back to NZ to live with her, but she's worried how Luisa will cope with the loss of her baby. REFLECTIVE MUSIC Go. MUSIC CONTINUES (SQUEALS) MUSIC CONTINUES BIRDS CHIRP Luisa's mother has already raised five children. Now in her 50s, she has a full-time job and a 13-year-old son at home. Taking on Lance is not ideal, but she can't see any alternative. CHILDREN CALL OUT IN DISTANCE (GRUNTS) What? The whole family is under pressure to reach a decision about Lance's future. PERCUSSIVE MUSIC Samoan protocol dictates the family chief will decide what happens. MUSIC CONTINUES (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) DOG BARKS Just... Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm. OK. It's just that, um, I just wanna be with him, eh. Mm. > BABY CRIES For the second time in her life, Luisa's facing a gut-wrenching separation from her family. Her five brothers and sisters all live in NZ. ROOSTER CROWS In the end, Lance stayed with Luisa for 18 months before the adoption came through and he left for NZ. GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PEOPLE CHATTER Lance has arrived in Samoa for a two-week visit. It's the first time Luisa has seen him for almost a year. GENTLE MUSIC CONTINUES Luisa is overjoyed, but Lance appears baffled by the new mother in his life. Luisa is hoping regular visits will keep him in touch with her and with his Samoan heritage so that one day he will want to return and be with her. BELL CHIMES, PEOPLE CHATTER (LAUGHS) PERCUSSIVE MUSIC Good. CHILD CRIES, DOG BARKS White Sunday brings the extended family together for a shared meal. UPBEAT MUSIC PEOPLE CHATTER With Lance here, there are four generations at the table. Luisa accepts Lance will grow up in NZ. The decision was always going to be one made by the whole family. (LAUGHS) Mmm, mmm. (CHATTERS) Giving up Lance was hard on Luisa. She needed to keep herself busy and now works for a disability support centre. ROOSTER CROWS After just two weeks, Luisa has to get ready to say goodbye once again to her son. It's uncertain when her family will next be able to fly him back to Samoa. (BABBLES) Two weeks is... APPLAUSE This year's ninth annual Attitude Awards will be held on December 3rd. Join us at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland to celebrate the achievements of NZers with disabilities. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, go to attitudelive.com UPLIFTING MUSIC See more like this on attitudelive.com Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air.