From wheelchair to walking in less than a year

Nicholas Brockelbank (13) hasn’t let Muscular Dystrophy stop him getting active.

The Cambridge boy is a finalist in the Junior category in the 2015 Attitude Awards. The national awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of Kiwis with a disability.

Nic was nominated for an Attitude Award last year, in recognition of his foodie fundraising. He’s written two cookbooks (Nic’s Cookbook and Nic’s Lunchbox) and donates half of the royalties to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

This year Nic switched his focus from whisking up treats to cycling up hills. The result: Nic no longer needs his wheelchair and can walk to school with his friends.

It’s an incredible transformation and one that has taken some serious hard work.

Nic began by cycling only short distances which left him puffed and quite sore, but over months of training he worked his way up to tackle longer, steeper rides.

Nic then set his sights on riding in the REV 120 Intro category – an 18km event. After months of hard slog (even training with a broken ankle) he crossed the finish line. Nic was one of the youngest riders in the category and the top fundraiser at the event, raising $1610 for the Muscular Dystrohpy Association.

Nic’s increased muscle strength and fitness means he can give other sports a go too. He’s taken up surfing at Raglan and is the coxswain for his Cambridge High School rowing team.

However, Nic’s new found love of sport and exercise hasn’t dampened his flair for food. Nic recently held cooking demonstrations at the Waikato Home Show and has been working on some new recipes. He still loves cooking and dreams of opening his own healthy food restaurant and being a dietician.

Nic has had an incredible journey so far and he’s never stopped supporting others with Muscular Dystrophy along the way.

Nic will find out if he has won at the Attitude Awards black-tie gala on World Disability Day, December 3 at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre.

There are eight categories in the 2015 Attitude Awards: Courage in Sport, Spirit of Attitude, Making a Difference, Artistic Achievement, Youth, Junior, the Attitude ACC Employer Award and Sport Performer of the Year. The overall winner of the Attitude ACC Supreme Award is selected from the category winners and a People’s Choice winner and Hall of Fame inductee are also announced on the night.

Attitude Awards Trustee Dan Buckingham, a member of the elite national wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks, says: “It's always an exciting time here at Attitude as we find out who the finalists are and count down to the big night. The Awards reflect what Attitude is all about – sharing stories that prove people with disabilities can overcome adversity and achieve greatness, whether that be big or small.”

“We thank our fantastic family of sponsors who allow us to present the Attitude Awards year on year. Collectively we are changing people’s view of what is achievable when someone lives with a disability.”

Dan encourages everyone to visit AttitudeLive.com in early November to see short films of the finalists and to vote for the person most deserving of the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

The Junior Award is sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson. Peter Thompson, Managing Director, says Barfoot & Thompson is humbled to have the opportunity to be part of the Attitude Awards.

“As a family run business with family values it is an honour for us to again be involved with such an inspiring event. We would like to wish all finalists the very best of luck for the Junior Award. Just remember, in our eyes, you are all winners.”

Other Sponsors supporting the Awards include: ACC, Westpac, Drake Medox, Ministry of Health, IHC Foundation, Air New Zealand, Lion Foundation, Invacare and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.

Chief Executive of ACC Scott Pickering says ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the awards for the eighth year, including sponsorship of the Attitude ACC Employer Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

“The Attitude Awards shine a light on New Zealand’s unsung heroes. At ACC we’re delighted to support the Awards and to acknowledge New Zealanders who live life to the fullest, achieve their goals and provide role models to our community.”

For tickets to the Attitude Awards gala evening on December 3 contact Sue Wales-Earl at sue@attitudeawards.org or phone 09 378 1564.

For the latest on the Awards and the Attitude TV programme:
Like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/attitudetv
Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/attitude_tv

Watch previous Awards footage at www.AttitudeLive.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media