Humans of Karori - Tony

I joined the Navy but I had to leave because of early signs of Friedreich’s ataxia, so I went back to university to study psychology and sociology. I worked for the Education Department as an HR advisor and looked after thousands of staff while we went through a re-structure to turn the Department into the Ministry of Education. I became an internal auditor and then eventually left the Ministry to start my own management company.

I then donated my skills to World Vision and spent six years as a Project Manger in places like Kenya, Tanzania, Eritrea and Ethiopia. I wanted to help people and I actually went into South Africa during Apartheid when I definitely wasn’t meant to be there – it was illegal – but we just had to go in there. If you dare me to do something, well....

I’ve always been told “You can’t go and do that. You’re disabled”, but my sister says I’m very stubborn. So I just do it anyway. People can’t tell me I can’t do something.