Marc Grantham has spent almost 20 years selling chocolate to raise money for kids from third-world countries. [Music] I'm not even buried. Marc Grantham has cerebral palsy and high-needs. He lives independently in his own home in Auckland. At the start of the year, he set a goal to fly to Africa to visit the children he supports through World Vision. It's a journey few people with his condition would entertain, but Mertz always had a different vision of what his life ought to be. I'm so so determined to go places and disease and things. It's not funny. Well, I got three kids and mom boy. I've got two kids to sponsor the kids in Africa. I support them going down the new wagon to sell chocolates any magnet for my kids. [Applause] I've got confession of oil for the for the kids or the world. I love what I do. They need me for the education for everything. If I wasn't around, I don't know what they would do.

Marc needs support 24 hours a day. He has two caregivers, Sam and Haley, who he calls his personal assistants. Sam's cared for Marc for 12 years. He's motivated. He gets him out of home and loves talking to people. And I was chatting, he's even to the strangers. He can just walk up to them or even just say hello, and everybody's just had some conversation from there. He's thinking big and far more than anyone else might think. Mark is able to do and more than we would have thought he could do if he hadn't push. Mark has pushed all the way along right from when he was a local kid. He's always wanted to do more, do more, try this, try that, things that would have been in the too hard basket for us, but Max, you don't want to do it. Mark is constantly striving to connect with people and his community. [Music] If you've been content as a as a baby to just sit there in the corner and watch television or something has he got older.

because his care took quite a bit of work. It would have been easy option for us that wasn't content with that. He needed stimulating. And so we had to find ways of doing that. And so he's made a great life out of it for himself. This is a young man who can't so much as wipe his own brow, yet he sits here for six hours at a time selling chocolate for his children. Remember [Music] [Music] three kids and India to Africa. He strives to get people to engage beauty [Music]. I rarely ankles ooh, you know, I'm ready to dance. What you got exciting match this is ankle Monica Twix. Yeah, we've come from us. I'll walk to see him. We're gonna have a fluffy somewhere. We often can look at people like now don't think it's great to be able to help you without realizing that the opportunity for him to do something for others is important Annette's this is here for all of us. I think to be.

able to give something to have something to offer. Marc may not look like there's a lot to do for others, but he's certainly been proven you can. Marc's determined to go to Africa to see the two children he supports through World Vision. Marquez melodia shall be livin and favorite subject is writing good favorite pastime is group games and languages men bow II mmm her family she's got one sister one 230 brothers brother her father is substance farmer and he's well that's good and mother as well she's a farmer as well and she's well and the patio washes dishes to help a family that's really good. I'm gonna show you more on this follow me quick kitchen there and in here we've got and here we got the room huh my room I think a person in there that's looking pretty good and pretty happy. I'm always happy ever wasn't the same Oh Oh Haley I wouldn't even be here tonight and and this for real because they they they they are like my

hands and feet, yeah, that's wrong. We'd probably be on the phone once a week, at least sometimes more. But sometimes we may not see him for a fortnight, and he lives his own independent life. It's not, it's not calling on us, whereas Winnie was in a Philly institutional place. Sometimes would get up to half a dozen phone calls a day, and there's no more argument with yourself, you mean, yeah. I used to say to me, I did it going to me, why am I, I'm in this wheelchair, but I don't anymore. [Music] Because I need to Le Coq. I, you did it go, it's okay, because Matt does his own thing. Like he's probably watching the cricket and probably doing something else. It's not like birth of a severe together 24/7, but sometimes he visits his neighbors, goes down to the paint shop. Then that 12 hours a day, we'll probably like five hours together. Or when I'm cooking dinner, he's, So what are you cooking? Get ready. But mostly, most of the time.

he's visiting his neighbours. Mark accepts 24-hour care, but he's never been prepared to put up with a mere existence. For several years, he lived in an institution. He fought hard to get his own house. Rebecca, no, no, no, no. Mark calls the shots, but virtually everything needs to be done for him. He lives in constant discomfort, and his body struggles to regulate hot and cold. I like to see white and what they are doing in there. Sam, it's quite, it's quite good. With the permission, he makes the 300-meter trek to the paint shop every day. The boys on the bench, I shall be night come here daily. Kryten originally, they, they know me, and I know there laterz a day. He's off to meet with the mayor of Auckland City. He courted the mere as he walked through Newmarket and invited himself for lunch. [Music] How's that guy with you? Didn't give the world hungry today. I'm getting a few followers on board. Theatre ain't going to see John st. Oh, yeah, I've soaked 20.

for the birth of chocolate food wizard a nice voice myself too full for lunch. I put Yui new people in shaver. I do anything exactly. I'm sorry chocolate you get shell shocked you know. Yeah, I'm doing a new market. I started when I was 12 years old. [Music] Having gratefully accepted the mayor's invitation for lunch, he then said about inviting the rest of his family, brother-in-law Nathan, and Haley. He seemed to time it today. What relation is he brother law must have my must have mark and you know preeclampsia that was the condition. What is that condition? Well, I think they come up today that's the effect. There was a the placenta wasn't fully functioning so there was a shortage of oxygen at some point. Where'd you living now and who you live with Matt ano you can call me Banksy and that's even that means you know me yeah thank you yeah where does he work dude she's a pharmacist pharmacist yes INRI Mira I'm going to Africa to see mine -

we're losing kids. I got five kids. Oughta do it. I screwed my job. I'm not. I'm not even married, but that's my children, kids Max, PA, and I helped him with his day-to-day living. It's a great hit. I enjoy coming to work. Sometimes I miss work when I'm not working days, weeks, and months go by with patience for years. Marx wanted to go snorkeling. He's backed out several times because of all that's involved in getting him into the water. Now he's decided to give it a go, and today's the day. There's been a lot of planning to make today happen. A wetsuit had to be modified with zips so that Marx's caregivers could get him into it that Mark would expect nothing less. I'm not afraid to do because I said I think I can try a lot boy. I haven't stepped on a jellyfish feet. The guys because I so I get all right and place this on your face, then lean forward just a little bit for me, got your mouth shut on there.

and we'll go ahead and try your snorkel. So bite down on that. There you go, perfect just like that. So how much through the pad and it might slip out. Whatever the bit does well you would lift up your head, okay, and then we'll reseed it very closely. Yes, very quickly. All right, otherwise I'd lose a day. You won't lose the snorkel, but we don't want you to get any water in your mouth, okay? Okay, you'll be able to see the blue mouth, yeah, yeah, they're, they're beautiful. You'd oversee times rate times things. I can't wait to get this show on the road too much. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] got your legs [Music] you okay Sam okay, we're nearly to your other chair. Enjoy that, yes, I did. Marx had to be cared for in this way since he was born, but when he dreams, his life is different. I'm a guy who buddy where they were with our dream. I don't.

think away with disability what our dream would say. Simo, but this is my let's try to strengthen up. Yep, thank you. How are you today? All very good. Good, good. We'll go to the other side 'cause it's a little. Excuse me with the light bulb like both there between. Okay, make sure you wear this yoga. I'll cover the ones and Courtney economic one, right? Are they ones that? Yep. What about some money washing powder and straws? Can you look for that also pattern straws, Washington power? I'm sure. Yeah, I'll then get some eggs. Now, yeah, excuse me. Need to go with its - uh-oh. [Music]. I'll put the straw a cup of mayo. He'll be running in you by the Thai lobe does indeed today. [Music]. One years older than us. Repeat for fuzzy fingers. Very same thing, yeah. Chris, yep. Yeah, we talked about Africa and um, what did you talk about? We need dumb police chicks and start planning inoculations and that sort of stuff. Oh, yeah. What did she say about that? Yep.

[Music] I'm cool max can see some lions and tigers. Tigers marks harassed everyone around him, and despite the huge cost and logistical nightmares, flights are booked, and he's off to Tanzania. Here we go, there's just snuck into the skin. This is not gonna hit much either you pour me, and I can see the grimace that you don't going through finger. Yeah, that's the one. Well that written, and it's to you. In fact, you've had about freely event HIPAA toss a tie for you every time Africa where the Livingstone when I belted the heart. I'll be there to see max done everything in his power to maybe clear. He wanted to go to Africa, he wrote this poem recording it with African drums just in case anyone doubted his passion to meet a sponsored children keen to step out of the humdrum of day-to-day life. Marks now impatient to get on the plane to go to Africa. I looking forward to it. I fly out what do you were Saturday.

[Music] He's flying to Tanzania with his father, Chris, and caregiver, Halley. There'll be little rest for Halley on the flight, tending to Mark. The 30-hour journey will take him from Auckland via Dubai and on to Nairobi. It seems like actually he's flying business class, but he's had to pay the $10,000 fee because there's no way someone with Mark's condition and complete incapacity could ever grab a cheap fare and make an international flight on a whim. But the cost has to be borne by the family format to get to Africa and ensure he has the ordinary life he dreams of. Like every passenger, he can't wait to get off. Go to do that the secured ship we're waiting for that wheelchair. It hasn't arrived. He's the last one to be offloaded. Oh, he's got an eight-hour stopover in Nairobi, Kenya. The bloody body finally he boards the last flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. He's now just a day away from meeting the children he feels a powerful connection to.

the locals can't figure out how to get mark's wheelchair on board confusing should not end his chair be on the roof his adventure begins with an overnight stay in a safari park it's back to basics for Haley they're stayin in a hut they've had to leave us voiced and all those fighting AIDS behind goodbye baby Hailey's worked for mark for 12 years she's left her newborn son at home to make this trip with him Haley's a vital part of the team I can't lift that they are because of back issues over the years and Haley comes providing arms and legs and she's standing there more than 10 years now it's hard work for her she doesn't have all the mod cons that Mac has at home in terms of mechanical equipment and so on to help it's how it's hard work but she fainted this whole ethos I started this child he sponsored was an F okay way back 20 years ago he said I plan to go to Africa and we did a little bit of a year right

but we also knew that Matt would keep on with us. And as in two months went by, he kept talking about his plans to go to Africa, so we knew it to start planning on the stearic. So right as it not test it out today regarding survival together, how do we say the girl's name Leo Katya. My role in a way is as manager of the tour. Marc is not able to do all the administrative details, the bookings, and all of that. And with a lot of his life, he likes us to handle the practical staff. So I'm the one who talked with low vision, began the fundraising. They're travelling to a small village in the mud goo-goo area where infant mortality is high, sexually transmitted diseases are common, and a lot of people have AIDS. Hygiene and sanitation practices are poor. There's little safe water available for drinking. The money that Marc provides to this community goes towards schooling, AIDS prevention, and agriculture. [Music] [Music] Mark is treated like royalty some

questions of mark and yeah most welcome mark and this is a look at this Farah. [Music] episode twenty thousand socket on the side of the road. [Music] thank you mark that has been prepared for the world you have to decorate it on the wall with much help. Leo carrion achieve her goal of becoming a nurse the like she liked to fling. oh no money from wool vision is going to the right thank you for having us in your home for Haley it's a dream trip to she's dedicated years of a working life to mark skier and she's left a newborn baby at homes because mark chose her to make the trip with him I wouldn't have had the privilege of caring on this experience. I probably wouldn't have even gotten out of Hamilton I catch it it's a very courageous is got the biggest heart. he's very determined it was emotional for Matt it was emotional for me too I'm seeing that what was just a sort of could be seen just as his fundraising that Matt does at home this is what

happens with the money does mark pauses life. His heart has loved his energy, his patience into his fundraising work, and to see him actually seen the other end of it. I'm going now. I think this is what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so yeah, it's gonna be. It's a memorable event that I don't think I'll ever be forget, so just seeing that meeting his kids, it's quite emotional. That's why I stand in the background. Don't want to get caught crying. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] it's ironic, really. Money raised selling chocolate in the swanky shopping district of New Market is teaching these women a world away about the potential risk of HIV and day. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] it's been a long day format because of Mark's spasticity. Huge energy goes and movements, and that's quite draining so so when Matt runs out of energy, he just flakes just blobs and of course he is sitting down all day we get an

opportunity to change position many many times. Intel just by his eyes and her speech she starts to like slur like he won't hold a conversation. Thank you. The freedom of water provides welcome relief has taken its people to do but this there's a reality. Why do it? It's a very sore thing. You know, I can easily do for this kind of exercise, but it takes a lot more effort. But we put in the same. We put in a lot of effort. Then he has the opportunities that you and I have, but then in the end we have a sort of equalized experience of if I can put it that way for breakfast goats - it's a local delicacy. Marks came to get on the road. There's a heavy schedule. Marks came to do everything on the schedule. We're going to see the irrigation canal this [Music]. That's what I just talked from a joist and and Steven and Julius and that's what they suggested. It will be a very short. Have a good day and don't miss anything. We'll stick to it.

Chris reckons they could skip a planned trip to a canal, but Mark insists on seeing it. Last landscape and potholed roads mean much of the day is spent traveling. Is it your grave for you consider the canal? It's back Markus keen to do everything that was on the schedule for today. We should not, you should be sorry if we is that. I think you can consider some of the things others can. We do a short visit to the canal, that will be everyone knows the canals not going to be a tourist highlight. And pretty soon Mark sees that for himself. Much of the day is spent traveling to meet Mark's second child, Dismas. Dismas is 10 and hadn't seen the inside of a classroom until Mark's sponsorship. Matt takes enormous pride in the fact that his sponsor child is now in school. Oh, really happy Tikhon. None of the children are learning English yet. The laying of a hand on Mark's head is a huge sign of respect. [Music] [Music] For the 20 years Marc's been selling

chocolate. The profits have been, you have been sponsoring this mass. How do you raise your funds? [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] The entire village has turned out to meet the man in the wheelchair from New Zealand. Has a militant life and I'm coming here episode Borden's arises and chosen something else of the world. It's it's a once-in-a-lifetime. You'll probably get on the table but this is something that won't be repeated. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] idiot mark is very contained. He puts up with a lot of limitations and restrictions imposed on him, partially by his impairment, even more so by our society. Restrictions come away just because the community is lying open. Greetings from New Zealand. I won just like has been several months and I really look forward to this is Haley wishing I make money from selling chocolate for my wheelchair to help you guys and to help this community and I are enjoyed and Petunia quad the oxide.

yummy, thank you very much. Means to me my other home. This is the kitchen. [Music] [Music] Thank you very much. Jenny, they have something for you, the audience. [Music] Oh boy, here I'll put this in my house. [Music] Today, I went together forgiveness for worries of my life, and it's been hard for me. They did here, but I've been to the original record here. We're great to help great difficulties, but I don't mind, guys. This is being a bunch. We see the result, relax life. We see the inspirational brings to others, so that makes it very worthwhile. He is, he's our son, and you want you on the vSphere kids. The opportunities and any parent helps their kids to do the best I can. So this is being. It's something with you, and I nails on for a long time, so the value of this. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music]

How to Overcome Cerebral Palsy | An Ordinary Life Ep 3

How to Overcome Cerebral Palsy | An Ordinary Life Ep 3