Brothers bond
In the next Rise and Shine disability story, brothers Leatuao Larry Tupa'i-Lavea, and Adeaze duo Feagaigafou (known as Nainz) and Logovi’i (Viiz) Tupa’i remember their mum Selepa Malaefono Feterika Tupa'i fondly.
As a young child Selepa suffered an accident when a fishing spear went through one of her knees, and contracted polio as a consequence.
“She was still Mum, calling to us kids in our rooms, waking us up to get ready for school, taking us to the bathroom … all the things a normal Mum would do for their kids, but she was still disabled.”
“One thing that Mum instilled in us was to be confident, be able to speak and perform. We’d have a full-blown theatre performance at home.”
Their mother, who passed away a few years ago, instilled in them the desire to chase their dreams, no matter what.
“Everything that has come from it came from a disabled mother … our mother.”
Produced by Mr Fonoti Pati Umaga of Banana Leaf 4 Productions and Kanohi ki te Kanohi.