1 Captions by Jean Teng. Edited by Alex Walker. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017 (UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC) NARRATOR: What's happening in 2017? I've already decided that the year is going to be fricken amazing. It's graduation year for me, and I've gotta find a job! It's also my 24th year of life. (BLEEP)! Are you excited to go out for New Year? COMMUNICATION DEVICE: So keen to party tonight. NARRATOR: Oh yeah! Hi. I'm Geneva, and what you just heard was my communication device. But if you think that makes me special or something, I'll tell you what ` underneath it all, I'm just like everyone else. Cheers, Geneva. (LAUGHS) # Just start believing. # Hey, Geneva. I've got some things for you. Got two red ones. (VOCALISES) This one? (VOCALISES) A bit more glamorous? (CHUCKLES) I thought that was a good dress. OK. And then what about this one? So, a little bit more about me. I'm a girly girl. I love to shop ` don't we all? ` travel, hang out with friends, get my hair done, you know, that kind of thing. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I would say I'm just like any other young woman. Just to let you know, I can't keep still, but I will try my best. It's OK. Don't worry. NARRATOR: Oh yeah. The joys of my disability (!) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I can't remember when I last got a pedicure, actually. (LAUGHS) NARRATOR: It can be a bit of a mission to get your toenails painted. (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I live with cerebral palsy, which is a neurological deficit, since birth, consisting of speech production difficulty and involuntary limb movement. In other words, non-verbal with a physical impairment. (PHONE RINGS) NARRATOR: Monday morning. Reality check. (PHONE CONTINUES RINGING) (GRUNTS) And... welcome, everyone, to a day in my life. (FUNKY MUSIC) A typical day for me needs a lot of planning. My communicator is charged ` check! I've got my chair ` check. My bag is packed and ready ` check. Text my support worker and tell her what time I need her ` check. This is amongst uni craziness and studying to the early hours of the morning. So, where are you going for your lunch? That's Jocelyn ` my support worker. She's a lot more than just a helper for me. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I'm going to Robert Harris with Luana. NARRATOR: We're good mates and have a lot of laughs. Yeah. She sounds a hard case. Yeah. NARRATOR: To be honest, sometimes my life can really suck. I wish I didn't have to fight the battle of proving myself to people who don't even know me. I wish I was more included in society. This constant battle is my reality. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Because I have a disability and non-verbal, many people think that I must be mentally challenged or have a mind of a child. It does really frustrate me, but I do understand. I have learnt a valuable skill ` to ignore the ignorance of those people. NARRATOR: But having a disability actually motivates me. I'm currently in the last year of my communications degree, and I want to work in public relations. (UPBEAT MUSIC) I realise it's going to be tricky with this communication device, but I know I can do it. (UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES) You might think that it's odd, choosing to study Communications. But here's the thing ` it's because of my disability that I am the perfect person for the job. If anyone knows how to overcome the challenges of communication, it's me. (UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: The cover letter I'm currently writing is for an internship at a public relations firm. The position is for two days a week, which would be perfect for me. I don't talk about my disability in my cover letter. I refer to it in my CV. I am fully aware that some employers may prejudge, but that does not stop me from pursuing opportunities. NARRATOR: I guess it's true. Every little thing takes a lot longer for me to do. Assignments and just typing takes heaps of physical energy. It's like my mind is going a hundred miles an hour with my body trying to keep up. I've sometimes thought to myself, 'Am I really up for the battle? Can I be bothered?' Then I think, 'Yes! Of course I am!' I just need to find that perfect position that allows me to do things in my own time. I know that I can do it; I just need to be given the chance. (QUIRKY MUSIC) NARRATOR: I was whangaied ` adopted. In our Maori culture, that's pretty common. It just means a family member adopted me as a baby. But I'm treated like anyone else in our big whanau. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I'm studying a Bachelor of Communications. NARRATOR: I'm just the one with the Australian accent. So when do you graduate? COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I graduate in December. Not long to go, then. Yeah, you do it from, like, the back page. The key is to get the screws and bolts... into there, but then when you got big, fat fingers, eh, Tala,... Yeah, what? ...it's just not working, eh? (RATTLING) (GENEVA LAUGHS) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: It's gonna be time for dinner by the time you've finished doing that. Teamwork. It's teamwork. This is team building, is it? Yeah, it's teamwork. (TALA CHUCKLES) It was meant to be. And often people say we were destined for her. Albert and I have been trying to have children, and unfortunately, we weren't able to conceive. Geneva was the third child that we tried to adopt. The two previous, uh, we had them for a little while. They were taken back by their parents. (GENEVA VOCALISES) ALBERT: That's a big smile. 'Two years prior to Geneva was an emotional time for us.' But that's not the only time you slept like that. 'My oldest brother and his wife was having a child.' How old were you then? COMMUNICATION DEVICE: 7. 'So they asked us if we would like to adopt her. So we said yes.' No, I think you were 2 there. 'We waited in anticipation for her birth. 'And then March 20th, we got the call to say that she was born. 'Geneva's, uh, birth mother went through a difficult birth.' Here you are, my darling. Your two mummies. Geneva had asphyxiation while her birth mother was giving birth. (SOMBRE MUSIC) They talked about the complications, what it would mean for Geneva, the difficulties of her health. Didn't really do anything for me. She was a child that needed a family, and we needed a family, so... we took her on, and I think we've beaten the system just by being... being a mum and dad. Apart from her` Watching her grow, it's, uh,... really something I can't express. (POIGNANT MUSIC) But she is our baby, so... she got a good mum and dad out of it. (LAUGHS) It's all falling into place. 'Everybody has had a role in raising her.' I don't know about falling into place. It's falling. It was falling to bits, it was. 'It's not just Albert and I and our immediate families; it's the community.' Going on to step four. You're the only one that knows what you're doing. 'It has been like an iwi has raised our daughter. 'This community has made Geneva be that confident person ` 'young Maori woman that is non-verbal ` to go out there and to strive for whatever she wanted.' (LAUGHTER) NARRATOR: Growing up with my many cousins was awesome. They see me for who I am. They don't see my disability. Do you have dishwashing liquid in there? I'm just one of the cuzzies. I'm still expected to work in the kitchen and clean up like the rest of the whanau. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Horoi o ringa. (TAP HISSES) I'll get, um, the spatula, Geneva. And you can mix it. NARRATOR: 'Uh, OK.' Now, the scones I'm making today are new, so I haven't made these scones before. 'This tap isn't turning off!' Right. Cheese in the fridge. Why are they in the oven? 'Mum-mum!' English fluffy scones, they call it. 'Look at me!' Um... (VOCALISES) 'Help!' What? Oh, can't you turn it off? All right. (GRUNTS) Far. Don't get me wrong ` Mum and I have a really close bond. She knows me better than I know myself. I don't always use my device with her. Sometimes we just sign. E. What? E for what? S-H-A... Share. Sorry. (LAUGHS) (BOTH LAUGH) 'We have our own language, her and I.' (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 'There's a lot of swear words in sign, which she does quite well.' Geneva, dickhead. Been using that sign a lot lately. 'But she makes her own up.' Yes? (LAUGHS) Terrible. (CONTINUES LAUGHING) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: For me personally, I've had no problem using my devices. It has actually opened my world to opportunities, providing me a voice to communicate. Yes. OK. Um... She's saying... She's saying, maybe,... he wera ia. What does that mean? That means, like, 'He's hot.' (ALL LAUGH) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: It would be good to have a voice that sounds human with a Kiwi accent and can speak in Te Reo. You see a hot-as guy, really hot, so you say, 'He tane purotu.' He tane purotu. (BOTH LAUGH) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: He tane purotu. (ALL LAUGH) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: In my dreams, I can talk and my voice sounds like my cousins. So I would probably sound like them if I could speak. That's all right. Set me up. Oh, this is flash. Oh wow. Hi. Hey. What would you like? COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Can... sandwich. NARRATOR: Damn. That's not what I meant. Embarrassing! COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Can I order a ham, cheese and pineapple toasted sandwich, please? OK. No worries. (REGISTER KEYS BEEP) Anything else? That's all? Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. NARRATOR: What I love about Luana is she's not afraid to make fun of me. Where do you wanna sit, cuz? At the end? And she doesn't treat me as someone with special needs. Did you not wanna start dating this year? Yeah, cos that's what we talked about, eh? And I said I was gonna be your wing-girl. Luana keeps wanting to sort me out with a boyfriend, but I don't really have time. I'll sit here and sip on this. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Maybe. I mean, I think it's time, but I don't know. (VOCALISES) Yeah, but ain't you 24 soon? You know, you really should, cuz. Just get out there, you know. NARRATOR: She always expects me to come out on the drinking nights ` no excuses. Yeah, we can start there, and then we can move down to K Road, see, cos that's where everybody is. Go clubbing, man. (VOCALISES) And then you can put your feelers out, eh. Yeah, you know. (LAUGHS) Yeah, you know. Because my family has never treated me any different, sometimes it can be a bit of a shock when the rest of the world doesn't expect much from me. That's why it's so important for me to be connected to my roots and speak Te Reo. Hey, honey. You're already dressed. What? Did you have a good sleep? (VOCALISES) Say it, honey. I got the wrong glasses on. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I just have to put a shirt on. And then you're good? OK. All right. NARRATOR: So, today's my first Te Reo class. Brush your teeth and then have a kai. I'm super excited about it! Which one? Oh, well, smashing out the Vikings last night. I know. Yeah, yeah. There was that and Suits. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I have always wanted to learn Te Reo Maori to be able to converse in Te Reo and about my cultural heritage. Yeah-yah! (LAUGHS) COMMUNICATION DEVICE: All my education has been mainstream, and I am now where I am in this world, where the time is right for me to learn my own language. So same old, same old for brekkie? Can I have banana on toast, please? And do you want it sliced or mashed? Mashed? OK. What... day do you do Te Reo? Wednesday. I think you'll power through it, darling. Like I said, you know more than you realise, you know, eh. # Ki runga, ki raro, # ki roto, ki waho. # Ki mua, ki muri, # Ki waenganui. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: 'I don't know exactly how I'm going to be able to communicate in Maori 'using my device. 'But I've been starting to install 'the words I learn every week into my device 'and ask people to read off my device when we're having a conversation.' We talked about when we meet someone for the first time. Culturally, it's correct to ask, 'Where are you from?' And how do we ask that in Te Reo Maori? ALL: No hea koe? So if we can be practising with each other. So, Geneva's saying, 'Kei Te Tai Hauauru a Tamaki Makaurau.' Kei Te Tai Hauauru o Tamaki Makaurau, all right? She lives out west; she's a westie girl. Tana kainga inaianei. Tena koe. Ka pai. The journey she's taking is a good start. There's gonna be a lot more families out there that are gonna follow Geneva, and hopefully she'll be the one that will start that, um... probably developing a prototype of a communication device in Te Reo. Yeah. So I'm quite excited for her. (LIGHT GUITAR MUSIC) NARRATOR: OK, guys. (SIGHS) I have to admit ` I can't be cheery all the time. Uni might be going really well, but other parts of my life are a bit more challenging. So far, I have put out heaps of internship submissions. And you know what? It's been, like, two months, and I still haven't had any responses. It's like I'm being prejudged every time. Sometimes it just gets you down. So, how do you feel, Geneva, about waiting? You know, how's this making you all feel? You know, you're on your last year of studies. And you graduate this year, and I know that you want to... get a job. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: I know I'll get work eventually. It's just a matter of when. I think I need to just keep applying for internships. Maybe it'll look more favourable when I do have my degree. Oh, yeah. I think that's a good idea, Geneva. You know, positive thinking. One day, you have to get a job... to pay for me. (LAUGHS) I'd like to think that she can get an internship in a mainstream environment that are prepared to, you know, look beyond her disability. The field that she has chosen, in public relation, it is all about communications. And because being non-verbal, having to use the device can be seen as a bit of a barrier. Like any parent, always fear for... what lies ahead for their child. Even more so for us, knowing that she's got all these other, um, issues that she has to face. NARRATOR: OK, Geneva, you've got to stop sulking. It's time to be positive. No point in wasting time like this. You know the story. Just remember back to when I was a kid. When I'm feeling down, I remember what my parents taught me. Most people with my level of disability use a wheelchair. I have the ability to walk, all thanks to them. Geneva was showing signs of things that she was able to move her body. We had a little trike that we would send to school, and she would ride around the school in her bike. And that was her way of getting around, rather than using an electric wheelchair. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: The school physiotherapist was really hesitant. The first few months was the hardest for me. I would often end up on the floor, crying because my legs were so sore. (SOMBRE MUSIC) The physiotherapist didn't like Mum at all and thought she was cruel. It just evolved from there. We thought, 'Well, if she can move this body, 'there seems to be a coordination pattern going on. Let's try her walking.' By the end of the year, I used my walking frame to attend the last school assembly. That has to be my greatest achievement. I knew from that moment that I could do anything. With Geneva hearing us talking so positively about what she could do, she believed in it herself, and it's made her more determined that, 'Yes, I can.' NARRATOR: Wow! Exciting news! I've just had an invitation to visit one of Auckland's most established PR companies. It's not a promise of an internship, but they've agreed to talk about me my opportunities, and who knows what this could bring? COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Hi. I'm Geneva, and I'm here for a meeting with Deborah. Hi, Geneva. Nice to meet you. Would you like to come through to the boardroom? Deborah will be here with you in a minute. (UPBEAT, FUNKY MUSIC) NARRATOR: Oh my gosh, this place is so flash! So, let me tell you about how we've, um, designed the business. Um, the next team down are Fashion and Lifestyle. So they work on brands like Farmers and Farmers fashion and Dulux. It would be a dream come true to work in a place like this. The next team is the food team. So they'd be working on restaurants and wine. It's a good team to be on. You do a lot of eating with that team. NARRATOR: (BLEEP)! Good. And then this team here ` and here's your friend Sydney ` this is our newest team; this is the content team. There's a space right here next to me for Geneva when you come work here. 'Course, you studied with Sydney. Was she a good student? (LAUGHS) NARRATOR: OK. So far so good. But next up is the sit-down interview part. Eek! Let's be frank ` I want to know if I can actually get a job in this industry. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: From your perspective, do you think that PR is an ideal industry for people with disabilities to work in? I think, um, it would certainly be challenging for some of the things that we are required to do. And just the oral communication is one thing. But so much of our communication now is written. We also plan projects. So for someone that has disabilities, that needs more time to complete a task, then a planned project could be research, could be writing, and we'd simply manage it in a way that gives you enough time to complete the task to the standard that's required. NARRATOR: This is so encouraging. I have to admit ` I've had some doubts about my chances of working in PR. But now I feel more confident. ...perseverance and resilience, you would certainly get a door in for an internship. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: Thank you so much for meeting with me. It's just a lot more... a lot more challenges for her. However, they're exciting challenges. As long as you can keep your head above the water, you know, I believe that the community that she's grown up in, that has given her a place of belonging, knowing who she is, where she comes from ` that will always keep her grounded. NARRATOR: OK. Here's my latest update. After visiting the PR company, I sent out a bunch of emails, and you know what? I've got some real work experience ` writing an article for a well-known foundation. Totally awesome! You don't wanna wear it? I think you should. (CHUCKLES) But today is the weekend. Time for the beach. Oh my gosh, so good to lie down. (LAUGHS) (VOCALISES) So, yeah, it turns out that when life gets you down, you can always get back up again. And things will turn out. I'm still reaching my dreams, and there is so much more for me yet. Would I change anything if I could? Yes and no. I would rather feed myself and dress myself instead of relying on others. But nothing is going to change in that sense, so I'll just continue to focus on what I can do by myself and live life to the fullest. # But I can say what I want to you. # I can say what I want. # I just don't care what you think, no, no. # You ain't the one living in my shoes. # Yeah. COMMUNICATION DEVICE: So, that's a day in the life of being me, Geneva Tino. Ka kite. But I'm treated like anyone else in our big whanau. It can be a bit of a mission to get your toenails painted. Good! (LAUGHS) (MAN CHUCKLES) But having a disability actually motivates me. (BLEEP)! (LAUGHTER) Copyright Able 2017