'Can-do' attitude recognised

Nick Chisholm is a finalist in the Spirit of Attitude category at the New Zealand Attitude Awards...
Nick Chisholm is a finalist in the Spirit of Attitude category at the New Zealand Attitude Awards, to be announced on December 3. Photo supplied.

It is not often Nick Chisholm is intimidated by something. Yet attending the New Zealand Attitude Awards in December, after recently being named a finalist, most definitely makes him anxious.

The 42-year-old has locked-in syndrome - a rare condition caused by several strokes of the brain stem in 2000 which left all his cognitive faculties intact, but his body unresponsive.

Since then, despite doctors telling his family he would probably not survive, he has fought to achieve many things against all odds, including regaining enough bodily function to win several New Zealand body building competitions.

So you may be surprised to learn that being named a finalist in the Spirit of Attitude category at the Attitude Awards has left him very excited, but at the same time, ''extremely anxious'' about attending the awards ceremony.

''I am not used to attending large functions with lots of people, so it's a bit nerve-racking, especially if I have to give a speech in front of everyone.''

Mr Chisholm was nominated for the award because he has overcome hardships to achieve his personal goals, and has put his own disability aside to advance the wellbeing of others in the community.

The award celebrates those who truly embrace life, live their life with positivity and make the utmost of whatever abilities they have with a positive 'can-do' spirit.

''I love the gym and do spend three hours most weekdays there working on my rehabilitation and training for my [body building] competitions.

''Even though I am there for three hours, I do have to spend a little longer than an able-bodied person, resting between sets, as I cannot control my body temperature.

''Despite this, I am still able to get my heart rate right up to 200 at a time.''

Winning several New Zealand wheelchair body building competitions has inspired him to start a programme called Wheelchair Warriors - a gym programme which aims to help other disabled people in the community with their recoveries.

''I love seeing other people with disabilities making gains. Any small achievement that will help them in their lives is a pleasure to witness and be a part of.

''The gym has helped me so much in my recovery, and without it, I would be dying in a rest-home somewhere unable to move.

''When I first started at the gym, I could barely move. Now, I am walking on the treadmill without even using a walking frame.

''The gym has helped me both physically and mentally.''

Mr Chisholm and his personal trainer, Shane Waldron, also organised the Spartans Rugby Tournament - a 10-a-side rugby competition which raised $11,000 for the New Zealand Rugby Foundation Seriously Injured Players' Fund in January this year.

It is hoped the tournament will become an annual event and the next tournament is already being organised for February 2016.

Mr Chisholm said he was ''quite shocked and overwhelmed'' after being named one of 21 finalists in the New Zealand Attitude Awards.

''I am just doing what I can to improve my life. I love the social side of the Wheelchair Warriors, Spartans and the gym.

''It's all those things that keep my mental wellbeing positive. Who knows what I would be like without them?

''It's all because of those gains I made that I met my beautiful wife, online.

''I would never have met her if I hadn't made enough gains in the gym to move my arms and use the computer.

''I love my life so much and can't imagine that it would be anywhere near as great if I were able bodied.''

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