"I DON'T want to be remembered just for having the disability . . . I would like to be remembered more for the person I was and my sense of humour and how I handled the disability."
The quote sums up Gary Endacott, a hard shot who has used his
contagious sense of humour and dogged determination to make the most of his disability, cerebral palsy.
I have a disability too and Gary has been a great inspiration to me over the past year as my disability adviser.
He tells it like it is, with a wicked sense of humour.
His many accomplishments include climbing one of the world's best known mountains, competing in the New York marathon four times, becoming a New Zealand and world disabled tennis champion, playing rugby league, working for the Ministry of Education and giving motivational speeches to a variety of groups, including at-risk kids here and abroad.
He recently went to Washington to receive an internationally recognised award for the way he carries himself with his disability and strives for the best quality of life.
From his Hornby School beginnings and with great support from family and friends, Gary has always seen life as a glass half full. When asked if he knew he was different as a child, he said: "It's not something that's really bothered me, to be honest. In saying that you know I'd rather not have the disability..."
"My mother in particular prepared me for how to handle how things are going to be, not how they should be. I feel she's the one person who understands my situation better than I do myself ... She had the happy knack to have to balance between nurture and understanding and I think to this day she is my greatest ally."
Gary is the disability adviser for the Ministry of Education. He mentors students with disabilities, helping them fulfill their potential and prepare for the wide world.
He is passionate about the job, using his own experiences and difficulties to give insights into the possible challenges awaiting them.
"There is nothing better than seeing someone fulfill their potential and have a quality of life ... you know there are not many jobs that you can actually make a difference."
Gary rates his greatest achievement the climbing of Mt Kilimanjaro in 2001. "It's probably the one thing I look back on and think how the hell did I do that?"
The accomplishment changed peoples' attitudes towards and perceptions of him. "It definitely opened a few doors for me after that, which is a bit sad that you have to do something that extreme to get people to give you a fair go."
Gary is the son of former Kiwi rugby league coach Frank Endacott and sport is a big part of his life.
"Sport helped me find out a lot of things about myself ... I find sportspeople to be mostly well rounded so I took the best qualities from the best people."
He is happily married with two boys. Family is another key part of his life now, as it was when he was growing up. His parents and siblings helped shape him into the man he is.
Gary Endacott has taken life by the horns with his perseverance, support of family and friends, great life balance and his wicked sense of humour. He is a great mentor and friend to me and his advice always hits the mark.
Sam McMillan, Year 13, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu _ The Correspondence School
"I DON'T want to be remembered just for having the disability . . . I would like to be remembered more for the person I was and my sense of humour and how I handled the disability."
The quote sums up Gary Endacott, a hard shot who has used his
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