Katherine’s up for an Attitude Award
BY JANIE SMITH
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When Katherine Rees found out she had been nominated for an Attitude Award, she didn’t believe it.
It wasn’t until she got a congratulatory call from someone who had seen the nomination on the internet that it sank in.
"I remember coming home and my parents had a phone call during the day saying I was a finalist."
The year 13 Mt Roskill Grammar School student doesn’t know who nominated her for the youth category of the awards, which celebrate the achievements of those living with disabilities.
Katherine has cerebral palsy and spends a lot of her time promoting diversity and disability awareness.
"I’m really into social change and educating people about minority groups," she says.
The Mt Eden teenager is involved with various organisations and is a member of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner reference group.
And when she’s not studying or doing advocacy work, she plays the cello and does creative writing.
Next year she plans to study government policy at Auckland University.
Katherine says she’s not sure why she was nominated for the award.
"I do what I do because I’m really passionate about it.
"Promoting diversity is really important to me," she says.
"I feel like I have a responsibility to do it.
"I’ve had so many opportunities to take up roles in the community to improve awareness of disabilities and diversity, I couldn’t pass them up."
Greenlane woman Julie Bartlett is also a finalist in the awards’ community category for her role as the founder and chief executive of StarJam.
She was inspired by her brother Ross, who has down syndrome, to start the organisation which offers empowerment through performance to young people with disabilities.
The winners of the awards will be announced on World Disability Day, December 3, at a ceremony at Eden Park.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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