(LIGHT-HEARTED GUITAR MUSIC) - And I'm Grace. I'm Max's little sister, and I'm 22. GRACE: 'I think in the past, 'there has definitely been a stereotype 'of what the typical lifestyle for someone with Down syndrome should be.' Yeah, easy. 'And this trip, it's a chance for Max to showcase 'the independence that he has now. 'Yeah, he's gonna be having a lot of fun.' Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021 (UPBEAT MUSIC) (SHEEP BLEAT) (BIRDS TWITTER) (SHEEP BLEAT) - Sweet, Maxie. Let's do some planning, eh? - Mm-hm. - Do you remember where we're going to start from in the South Island? Nice, yeah. So what are we gonna do here? We're gonna take the...? Nice. We're gonna land in... Picton, yeah? - Yeah. - 'The main thing with the road trip that really motivated us to get this going ` 'I really wanted to give Max and I a new challenge.' We both did. We wanted to put our epic relationship to the test and see what we could kind of do. And then I think the best place after the West Coast that you're most excited for is where? Oh yeah. 'Max is both my little and big bro. '100%, he's my big brother first and foremost. 'He's always there for a supportive hug. 'Not so much a chat.' Obviously, Maxie's not the chattiest bloke on the block, but that's not what I desire out of our relationship anyway. And what are we gonna do in Queenstown? - Uh... - The Gluge? The Luge? (LAUGHS) 'I think I can spend an hour with Max and I will always come out feeling happier and more myself.' OK, who's driving? - You? - LAUGHS: Yeah, OK. You don't wanna drive? - Mm-mm-mm-mm. - No? - Not me. - Not you. - Just you. - Just me. OK. 'The little brother aspect, though ` I mean, obviously,' there's that unique aspect to Max's and my relationship which does mean I'm a big sister in a practical sense sometimes. 'Basically, it just means that the kind of stuff 'you would normally depend on your older sibling to take care of 'I do instead, 'but that's why we're putting our relationship to this next level.' - Cheers. - Cheers. So good to see you. God, it's funny, eh? We just go for weeks. - GRACE: 'We are the Cussell clan, the Cussell bunch. 'Lots of energy. Definitely got a rap for being a bit of a crazy fam, 'but also the best.' - Dad fixed the gate. Pretty cool, eh? - 'Helen and I have been married for 30 years now.' We've got three children who are all quite, uh` quite different in their own ways. There's Sophie, the eldest, who's very creative, and there's Grace, who's very focused on her degree but also all sorts of extracurricular activities, and then there's` there's Max, of course. He's a joy to have around. - Time to eat, guys. Doing my usual role. I'll do that. Matty, can I serve you? - Yeah, please. - 'We have here on our lifestyle property,' and the kids have had a chance to sort of see what country living is a little bit like. - Oh, d'you want a couple more potatoes, Max? There you go. 'Max and I, I think our bond with each other is closer than any other bond either of us have with anyone.' That's why I'm so excited for this road trip. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else, I don't think. - I was so excited for Max and Grace. I just thought it was gonna be, like, the coolest experience, and I knew that they'd be able to hook up all the` all the sweet, like, destinations and go to all the coolest places, and they'll be getting to have some serious bonding time. - Yep. They'll have some great memories together. 'What an opportunity for Grace and Max to, you know, connect and just have time together 'for them to see a lot of New Zealand and to learn stuff along the way.' (GENTLE ACOUSTIC MUSIC) - Can you remember that night? - MAX: Yep. - Your hair? - Yeah. - (LAUGHS) What had you done to it? - Spike. - 'When Max was a baby and when he was first born 'and when he turned up 'and we had this baby that we didn't really expect, 'he was so cute! He was so` 'I wish sometimes that I'd been more focused on how awesomely cute he was 'and not... not all the conditions that came with Down syndrome.' Rusty and Bonnie. - Aww. - (CHUCKLES) Who's that? - It's Grace. - Yeah. 'Well, kind of, going right back to when they were really, really little and Max was the elder brother... 'and it was very clear, because she was learning from him. 'And that continued for some time, 'but it wasn't long before Grace overtook him, really. 'That didn't detract from that lovely relationship 'of big brother and little sister 'and, you know, just that he had this person 'that he was able to sort of mentor or look after, to a certain extent.' Max as a 26-year-old is like any other 26-year-old young man. I think that there's a part of Max that would like to be not living at home with his parents. (VACUUM WHINES) This trip to the South Island that Grace and Max are going to do is a really good example of independence for Max, is being able to take challenges that any person would face and go with it and deal with it. We have to be realistic about independence for Max. - GEOFF: Right now, Helen and I have got the challenge of where he goes to next and how he can live a full life without relying too much on Mum and Dad. That's what we've got to think through now. (BIRDS TWITTER, CICADAS CHIRP) (SANDING MACHINE WHIRRS) - GEOFF: The carpentry ` yeah, he just` he loves to get into that, and he's really at a point now where he recognises what tools are required and what the general process is to do a job. (CHAINSAW WHIRRS) - What d'you think? - Mm-hm. - We'll get a few out of there, eh? (SAW WHINES) 'When we're building, we'll work together ` 'you know, mark out things, measure things carefully 'and, wherever possible, get Max to do it.' So, Maxie. Excited? - Yeah. Yeah. - You're gonna to go to a few of the places that you've been to before... - Yeah. - ...but it's gonna be neat. In this case, you know, you're gonna have to get things ready with Grace... - Yeah. - ...wherever you stop, wherever you bivouac. - Yeah. - Yeah? 'Grace does her best to bring the best out of Max, 'but it's not all a fairy tale. 'It could go pear-shaped.' If it is a challenge, they're gonna have to sort it out. - So, this is really, really exciting, what you guys are doing. - (CHUCKLES) - But I am worried. If you go somewhere and you leave him or send him somewhere to do something like pick something up and you're driving, I mean, it just could possibly be that he doesn't come back. 'Yeah, as a mum, I-I am very nervous. 'I think that Grace is going to learn that there are some challenges that we face' as his parents that she doesn't realise right now. We don't want Grace doing all the tasks. And Max is` - Yeah, and that's the point of this trip, is to, you know, encourage both mine and Max's independence. - Yeah. - So I will definitely do my best to delegate and make sure that I'm not doing all the cooking and cleaning. - 'I think they'll work together really well 'to make this trip a success.' What are you gonna do about the toilet? - So... - (LAUGHS) - That's a great question. (UPBEAT MUSIC) - MAX: - Morning, Max. - Hi. - Morning, Max. - Hi, everybody. - 'Real World Living is a collection of day programmes 'for disabled within communities. So we cater to everybody' and anybody, really, who wants to come and join a little happy group. - (DRILL WHIRRS) - Beautiful. What d'you reckon? - Yeah. - Sorted, eh? - Yeah, good. - Very good job, my friend. 'Max does everything.' (SANDING MACHINE WHIRRS) 'Whether it's from cutting the boards up to start with, 'the screwing together,' the sanding... - (BLOWS) - 'Anything we do here, 'Max is involved in it from start to finish.' Remember to clean the brush out of` That's the one. And just nice long strokes, eh, and get it all on there. 'Max is very meticulous, you know, in everything he does.' Yep. Nah, that's good, mate. It's very, very good. 'His dad has done an amazing job with him, 'teaching him those little bits and pieces 'that he brings to our workshop. 'Ah, he's a good lad.' He's enjoyable to have around too, I must say. - Two, one... There we go! (CHUCKLES) Max, you... (LAUGHS) What's happening today? - Uh, here? - Yeah. What are we doing? - Uh, - Yeah, we're having a ball! (LAUGHS) 'I work for Recreate New Zealand, and the ball is a collaboration 'with the Auckland Down Syndrome Association.' Oh, there's another one. Yeah, can we put that on this table? 'Recreate is an organisation started... 'bordering on 20 years ago now. 'We organise programmes for youth with disabilities, access needs.' And we need two on that side down there. 'My role at Recreate ` I coordinate the programmes. I get the crew along, 'make sure that we've got an amazing bunch who are all enjoying themselves from the age of 11 up. (STRAINS, LAUGHS) Pull! Pull, pull, pull! (GRUNTS, CHUCKLES) - D'you want me to help? - 'Maxie and Dad as well came through to help set up.' Yay! - So much for that. All right? - Oh, we need you, Dad. We need you. Yeah, they're just awesome the way they get behind this job. - Ready? - Like this? - Yeah, like a cactus. (CHUCKLES) Ready? Let's go. 'We went with the Hollywood theme because they just absolutely adore a good boogie, a good dance,' and getting dressed up for the day. Champion. (CHUCKLES) (LAUGHS) Oh... (UPBEAT MUSIC) - There you go, you slick dude. All righty. We'd better do you up, because Laura's inside now... - Yep. - ...so we'd better make sure... (GENTLE ACOUSTIC MUSIC) - HELEN: Max and Laura have known each other really since babies and sort of were just friends, and then in their teens, they really got a lot closer and realised that they had a special bond. - Yeah. - Yeah. Cool, eh? - Yeah. Mm-hm. Yeah. - Good. - Laura does pretty much all of the talking for the two of them. I think Max can certainly make his feelings known, and he's no pushover, but he's pretty happy with Laura making the calls on... (LAUGHS) on what they do. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) (CHEERING) (LIVELY MUSIC) - GRACE: It was so amazing seeing them come off the bus and walking up the red carpet. Yeah, the mood here is just infectious. Who's ready to have a good night? (CHEERING) You should be! It's gonna be so fun. So, we'll have some yummy food, and then after dinner, we'll get lots of photos at the cool photo drops with Ollie. It's going good. Everyone's just sitting down for dinner now. So very, very happy. Maxie and Laurie, they are just the strongest bond. They've been together forever, and... yeah, having nights like this, they really just get to enjoy each other's company. (UPBEAT TECHNO DANCE MUSIC) Maxie, he's in his happy place, and I definitely hope to spend some good time with the bro tonight, and Laurie as well, and just see them taking it all in and dancing like the kings and queens they are. OK, cool, bro. So, we've got our list ` what's this one here? Yeah, sweet. Let's go. 'Like any sibling, the reason why we're going on this trip together 'is because it's a chance for Max to showcase 'the independence that he has now 'and for us to work together as a team.' Nice folding, bro. Beautiful. 'I think he's gonna smash it. I'm so excited. 'You know, it's not gonna be easy, but it's just the right amount of challenge, 'and he loves the stuff that we've got planned.' Nice. Let's do it! (CHUCKLES) (UPBEAT MUSIC) - MAX: - Yes! Whoo! - MAN: Ah! (LAUGHS) - GRACE: 'We are off to everywhere. 'The main part of the trip will definitely be seeing 'the beautiful whenua in the South Island.' (GRACE LAUGHS) (CAR HORN TOOTS) We had five things, eh? D'you remember the five things? - Uh, yeah. - Go on. - Uh... - (LAUGHS) Basically, every time we go over a speed bump, the campervan goes 'doosh'! And we just... we just we like to say 'doosh' every time that happens, yeah. - Whoa. - (CHUCKLES) Grab the table. And can you go set that up? 'All the stuff that Maxie you does around the house, all the` 'yeah, independence-building skills that he's learnt over the past few years, 'this is a chance for him to put those to the test,' and yeah, yeah, really excited to see it. Yum! Got old Gordon Ramsay over here, eh? - Yeah. - Oh yeah. 'Maxie is a good chef. 'I mean, when you love food that much, 'you're automatically gonna be a good chef, I feel.' Now we need some more water, eh? Come fill it up. - Cheers, sir. - Yep, cheers. - (CHUCKLES) 'What are we up to today? What are we doing?' That's us, Maxie. Straight ahead. That's where we're going, eh? - Yes. Yes, yes, yes. - Pretty cool. - Yeah. - Max has got his interests just, like, like clear-cut, eh. And the main thing Maxie is looking forward to is definitely the Luge. 'He won't stop chatting about it, 'and all of those adventure-based activities 'around Queenstown as well.' We're gonna test his fears a little bit, I hope. (CHUCKLES) Are you scared? Shall we rock it? - No! - Ah! Shake it! Shake, shake, shake` - No, don't shake` - (LAUGHS) Makes it more fun, though, eh? No? Ready? - No! - (LAUGHS) Oh... Ooh! We have a winner! (LAUGHS) (UPBEAT MUSIC) (GRACE LAUGHS) - Yep, good. - Yeah, good? - Mm-hm. - (LAUGHS) That is the face of a winner right there. (GRACE LAUGHS) (UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES) Check out this, Maxie. Over here. How's the height? Is it pretty high? - Uh... - It's too high, d'you reckon? - Yeah. - Oh, I think we'll be sweet, mate. Let's do it. Whoo-hoo! All right. - All right. Shall we get goin'? - Yeah. - Perfect. - Go, bro. Whoo-hoo! Get that harness on. - OK... - 'The flying fox is definitely going to test Max's fear of heights.' Just stand up. CHUCKLES: No, you... - I've got you. Now grab my hand. - You can hold on to these if you like. - Maxie, it's just a flying fox. OK? Let's go. Yeah, good job. Yeah, boy. CHUCKLES: It's just a flying fox, Maxie. It's OK. Just step up on the step... - You can do this. - It's all good. It's just a step. - Come on, buddy. It's all very safe. - It's just a step, OK? - Pull yourself up. - See, look. See, look. Just standing up. Yeah, nice. And one more leg, over here. Just here. Yep. Up. Yeah, one more. Yes, Max! - Perfect, mate. - Happy days! - Perfect. And you're already in now, man. - Here we go. Three... - INSTRUCTOR, GRACE: ...two, one... - (SHRIEKS) - (ZIPLINE WHIRRS) - Whoo-hoo! Yay! Whoo! Whoo! (LAUGHS) How was that? - Yeah. - (LAUGHS) Not even impressed. You did so well. Good job. (GENTLE ACOUSTIC MUSIC) Have you had a good day? - Uh, yep. - Yeah. I think we've had a pretty mean day, eh? - Uh, yeah, sure. - CHUCKLES: 'Yeah, sure.' 'The main thing I, obviously, wanted out of the trip was for mine and Max's bond to grow stronger 'and to see him champion new goals and new limits, and he 100% did.' I loved having today with you, bro. - Yeah. - It was legendary. - Yes. - Even though you were a bit of a scaredy cat... - Yeah. - ...on the... - Yeah. - ...on the zipline. (LAUGHS) - Yeah. - No, you did well. (LAUGHS) You did really well. You did really well. 'I hoped that our friendships and siblingship would be stronger, 'and it is. 'I can undoubtedly say that it's been the perfect way to strengthen our bond, 'and it's been really special.' (GENTLE ACOUSTIC MUSIC) Captions by Maeve Kelly. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2021 (MUSIC CONTINUES)