A year ago, Arihana White-Ututaonga was in hospital recovering from a brutal assault that left her legally blind.
But at the end of this month, the brave 17-year-old will front up on stage in the finals of television singing competition Homai Te Pakipaki as one of the finalists in the running to win $20,000.
The difference a year makes is huge, and while Arihana still receives treatment for the injuries she suffered in the attack, she believes it paved the way to where she is now.
"In a way I'm grateful ... in a weird way. Everything happens for a reason."
For Arihana, performing in the semifinals of the competition, which fell a year to the day from the assault, was proof of how far she had come.
After more than 50 visits to eye specialists, four surgeries and other procedures, she had finally been discharged. The attack left her legally blind and while she can see things close to her, she has trouble making out objects and needs help walking around kerbs.
She will need more work on her jaw which was also injured, but she believes the attack taught her a lot.
"I've been writing songs for years, now I have more experience ... more meaning and feeling."
To win the competition, and the $20,000 with it, would be life-changing and allow her the opportunity to build a studio at home. Arihana said she only found out the show was holding auditions in Rotorua the morning of the event, and decided to enter.
She sung an original song, and plans to perform another original at the live finals on October 30.
After the attack, Arihana wanted to succeed to prove a point to her attacker and focused songwriting around it, but now she has moved on.
"Now it is just about me. I don't worry about him any more. It's just a little part of the rest of my story."
The live final will screen on Maori Television on October 30, with the public voting for their favourite performer.