Lee’s mindset helps him find joy

‘‘One event really changed me – I met a man who had far less ability than me but had accomplished more than any able person I knew. ’’

The Facebook page Humans of South Auckland aims to tell stories that are real, raw and relatable. They have recently collected 140 stories to make a book that will be distributed back into the community for free in November 2017.

More stories can be found on their Facebook page: Humans of South Auckland OFFICIAL or website www.hosa.co.nz.

This week’s featured Human is Lee.

I broke my neck in a diving accident when I was 13. This injury totally shattered my outlook on life. I went from complete independence to the total opposite in a matter of seconds. After five months in hospital I had become really negative about myself. I returned to school, but this time in a wheelchair.

I had to re-learn how to do everything with the ability I had left. The stigma of being a teen in a wheelchair really took some adjustment. However, I started surrounding myself with people who were going through, or who had been through similar things, and my selfpity and negative self-talk eventually decreased.

One event really changed me – I met a man who had far less ability than me but had accomplished more than any able person I knew. He challenged me to do more. Since then, I have been able to think happier thoughts and things have become easier and more joyful as a result.

I became a prefect and finished high school. I have my degree, and I am now building the next big movement that New Zealand has seen in a long time.

My mindset now is to be happy, give back, enjoy and love, because love makes the world go round, and like anything circular it will come back to you.

Humans of South Auckland is an idea based on Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York Facebook page. We are a team of volunteers who believe in developing hope and pride in our community. We aim to do this by telling real stories of everyday South Auckland people. Our Vision: To develop hope and pride in our South Auckland community by sharing stories of people as individuals, not stereotypes or statistics.