HUNUA, FRANKLIN DISTRICT Sam! Oh, you're up! Wow, you're organized! Do you know
what's happening today? - Today? Rainbow's End.
- Rainbow's End, isn't it? (interviewer) Can you start
by just telling me your name? Sam...Muir-James SAM MUIR-JAMES (interviewer) And how old
are you, Sam? Twenty-seven. (interviewer) And is this
the first time that you've been on a date
to Rainbow's End, Sam? Yes. What do we need to do now
before we go? - Brush?
- Yep. Shave. (Jayne) Autism is
a complex disorder... ...and no one person
on the spectrum is alike. For Sam, it's understanding
his world... ...a bit different
from everybody else's. JAYNE
SAM'S MUM Things are interpreted different. And, sometimes, getting his
communication across... ...can be a bit difficult. Some of the boys at high school
had girlfriends... ...and, you know, they were
displaying them around the school, you know, very cozy and that! And...would you agree, Sam?
It was like... - ..."I want one of those."
- Yes. What's you favorite ride? Fearfall... Corkscrew. The Corkscrew
and the Fearfall is it? - Fearfall.
- Oh gosh. I hope Tania likes that! You don't mind me saying
that you're caught up... ...with Tania again
on Facebook? Yes. I think it was late November,
early December... ...they were communicating
via Facebook. It's a great thing, isn't it
for catching up with people? And they had arranged
to go on a trip... ...to Rainbow's End. (interviewer) What do you like
about Tania? - Good look...
- Good looking? - Yeah.
- Mhmm. WEYMOUTH, SOUTH AUCKLAND My name is Tania...
Tania... ...it's going
to come out wrong! Tania Allen. TANIA ALLEN And I live with Viv! Excuse me! VIVIENNE
TANIA'S MUM Viv's my mum. (Vivienne) When she was born,
she had no muscle tone at all. I had therapists coming out
all the time. She was a febrile convulser,
so that meant... ...I could be in hospital
three times a day... ...through different fits she had. Right up to the age of eleven. Glasses...when she got
her glasses... ...hiding her glasses. You'd send her to kindergarten
with a pair of glasses Come home, no glasses. We went through glasses
like I go through my smokes! She would've only been seven. She had one fit
while she was at school... ...so we got her
to the hospital... ...went to go take her
back to school... ...they didn't want
anything to do with her. Nobody wanted to deal
with her situation. You know, even her sisters
and that... ...it's like, Tania, you know... They just don't grasp
the situation. And I thought, I gave birth
to her... ...so I'll look after her
till the day I die. ♪ Oh mum, I love you
Yes, I do ♪ (Vivienne) I'd love her
to be way more independent. Like, she's 28, and it's like
she's still like a 10 year old. Probably my biggest concern's being.... ...how do you say? Taken advantage of. And that's sort of happened
in her lifetime already. And this is by a goddamn
60 year old male. And having turned
to being there, and, like, she thinks
she's in love. Then I'm losing the plot,
thinking: "What do you think... ...you're doing?" You know, and I don't think
she realizes, you know... ...and these people,
like these old goddamn men... ...send photos of themselves
in bars and that. And that's my greatest fear for her. ♪ I never knew
just how much ♪ (interviewer) How do you feel
about Tania... ...becoming Sam's girlfriend? Well, I don't think
that would worry me... ...because they're sort of
of the same mentality. You know, she understands him,
he understands her. It's not as though
it's a normal person... ...getting with somebody
that's like a 10 or 11 year old. Sam has had a few girlfriends
over the last couple of years. You know, they've sort of
parted ways... ...a couple of them have. With Sam's autism
everything needs to be learnt. He needs reminding
to keep in touch... ...with your girlfriends,
don't you Sam? Either by phone, or... And sometimes
because of that... ...you know, things haven't
eventuated or gone... ...to the next step further. You don't mind me telling them
about the text... - ...Raewyn sent you?
- Yeah. It's just autism again,
and understanding the language. See, Sam hadn't kept in touch
with Raewyn... ...for a good few months
had you Sam? And Raewyn sent him a text
and said: "Sam..." "...I think we should break up," and he didn't understand the text. So, of course, I read it to him. And he thought "break"
was like "break something". And so I had to explain
what the break-up meant. Sam was ok about it,
weren't you? Yes. Actually, Tania was one
of his first girlfriends... ...wasn't she? - As just a friend to talk to...
- Yeah. ... at school. (Tania) I actually met Sam
back in late 1996... ...just as he
was being enrolled. Sam came to me,
came straight to me. And I'm like, "Uhh,
who's this boy?" "Where did he come from?" I'm like, "Uhh,
I'm doing my work." So he just sat there
and stayed there. I asked Sam, I go,
"Who do you like?" And he goes, "You!"
He replied with, "you". So I told him, "Go hang out
with the boys!" (Jayne) It's interesting
all these years later... ...how they're going
to be catching up again. It's really neat. If nothing comes of it
I know they'll be good friends. It'll be a great friendship, anyway. Yeah. Personally, as a mum... ..I think they're both very
well-suited for each other. But I'm going to back off there. We'll leave that up to you, yeah. What are we going to wear
for Rainbow's End? Are they going
to fit you? They should fit me. - You don't want to wear black?
- No. (Tania) Black will burn me! Going to wear that
over the top of that? Yes, over the top of... And then what are you going
to wear if it's cold? This. (Tania) That's my final choice. So, there's something you forgot
to put in your bag too. The present! - Whose present?
- Tania's. Yeah, don't leave that behind,
will you? - Well, are you excited?
- Yes! Cool. Here you go. [We're going after you.] (Tania) Don't like the Power Surge. But we'll still go on it. - Hi!
- Did you come to meet Rainbow? Yes. Give them a high five! Hello. (Tania) Thank you. - See, there's the Invader there.
- Yes. But we're going down
to the rollercoaster. Okay. ♪ (music playing) ♪ (riders screaming) Do you want to go
to this one next? Yes. (riders screaming) Sam! Woohoo! Two chocolate milkshakes, please. Let's go to... the bench. You are welcome. - Thank you, Sam.
- You're welcome. (Tania) I don't want this. Wasn't it a great idea... ...Tania getting hold
of Sam again through Facebook? (Jayne) Gee, she hasn't changed a bit
she's still her chatty self. Really, really good for Sam, you know. She is, because she's very social. And it's like, if he's quiet,
she'll go, "Sam! Blah blah blah..." And he goes, "Yeah!" (Jayne) I'm hoping, fingers crossed,
they'll continue... ...to see each other. You know, because Tania's
really good for Sam. (Vivienne) That's what I thought. And she's known Sam
since intermediate. And it's like she, even though
in those years... ...they didn't contact,
she always talked about him. She talked about other classmates,
but a lot about him. (Jayne) Great, yeah, likewise. (interviewer) So, how was the date? (Sam) Excellent! (interviewer) Ah, excellent, great.
You had a good time? (Jayne) Yeah, he's not really
a man of many words, But when he came home... ...he had a big smile on his face. And you and her
looked really nice together. Got a lot in common. And you've known each other
for a long time now. So, yeah, I think
they might be going places. Yeah, I hope it continues. Because it's really important
for Sam... ...to have a good friendship,
isn't it too, Sam? - Anything else?
- What is go...places? What I mean by that,
is going lots of places... ...and spending a lot more time together. - Yes.
- Yeah? (interviewer) So, have you
got any plans... ...to see Tania again soon? (interviewer) Oh ok,
and what are you going to do? (child speaking indiscernibly) (Vivienne) She's going out
on her first dinner date. Which, you know, I think
she's really excited and I think I'm more nervous than excited. It's freaky! We're not the sort of people
that go to restaurants. (hairdresser) Do you like
Indian food, Tania? (Tania) I've never tried it! (Vivienne) I think she's nervous. Pacing up and down,
up and down. Over there, get on her phone,
text... ... "Shall I get ready yet?" "No, no, no, plenty of time." "We'll get ready in afternoon time." This, like, all day long! When she walks out of here,
she'll look a million dollars! Would you like me to pretend
to be Tania again? - Yes
- And you're you. Yep. So, have you decided
what you're going to order? What have you decided on? On chicken tikka masala. So, I will order-
this is just pretend, remember... I'm going to order buttered chicken. Do you think I would like it
mild, or very hot? Mmmmm... mild. Mild. So are you going
to suggest that to Tania? - Yep.
- Yep, that's a good idea. So, you have a really
awesome night tonight. - Okay?
- Okay. What time do you have
to pick her up? - Seven?
- Six-thirty? Do you think
that's a good time? Yeah, six-thirty. Gives you time to pick her up
and drive to the restaurant... ...doesn't it? - Excited?
- Yeah. I'm excited too! (dog barking, child laughing) (child) Sam's here! Sorry guys! (crosstalk) - Hi Sam!
- Hi, how are you? - Ready for tonight?
- Yes. - You nervous?
- No. No? (interviewer) Sam, kiss?
(Vivenne) Oh, he's ready, he's keen. He's keen Tania, go for it! (Interviewer) Yay! Very nice. - He's a good man.
- Yes. - Eh, Sam.
- Yes! - What time do you want to go?
- Anytime! - Ok, we'll go.
- We'll go? - Yep, go.
- See you later! (Sam) See you later! - Bye!
- Bye, Sam! Have a good night. - Bye!
- Bye, Tania! (Tania) Look, Sam!
Out the window! She's trying to take photos
of us, Sam. - Chicken tikka masala.
- Chicken tikka masala, yep. So, how spicy do you want?
Mild, Indian hot? Indian hot. - You want it hot-hot, Sam?
- Yes, hot-hot. -So, do you want a starter?
- A what? Like, an appetizer.
Yeah, you want something? - Yeah, appetizer.
- Like this one? I didn't see that one! These are all curries. Do you want something
from that? Yeah. [One side...?] (Tania) If you want to... Do you want the same one, or three? So, what do you want? Shall we get the same one, Sam? Yes, the same one. (waitress) So, are you finished?
Do you want any more drink? - Just...
- And your rice. - You all right there, Sam?
- Yeah, I'm fine. Come on, Sam. We've got to go that way. - Thanks for dinner, Sam.
- You too! - It's been great seeing you.
- It's been great seeing you too! Yep. Yes, we will! - We'll let Mum know.
- Okay. Sam's really grown up
and matured quite a lot... ...in the last few years,
I would say. So, he's starting to get the hang
of this dating thing. And I can see him and Tania
probably... Well, my hope for Sam
is that they continue... ...to go out together, and have new and different
experiences as well. You know, I just want for Sam
what any other parent wants. I just think that Sam and Tania
are a really good match. Yes. Things are working out
pretty good now? Yes, pretty good with me and (Tania). Yeah, I think they are
working out with you and Tania. Last few months... ...I've never seen you
look more happier... ...than you ever had before. (interviewer) Would you like
to get married one day, Sam? Yeah, I would get married. I think they might
end up being... ...what do you say?
Husband and wife. Isn't that a scary thought? Why can't they
have the same opportunity... ...as normal people have? You know, at the end of the day
that's my sort of outlook. If she's gonna have a baby,
I'm going to be there... ...to support her. She's one who attracts babies,
you know. She's brilliant with kids. And if the opportunity arises,
if she has one... ...I'll be behind her 100%. She's just another human being,
she's got her disabilities... ...but I believe she'd be
a good mother if she ever had a baby. (interviewer) Do you feel like sometimes
people have pressured you... ...in the opposite direction? Yep. Right through her schooling days. "Put her on the injection!
She's never going to have kids!" And I just got on the anti,
she was only eleven! And I thought,
"Who are you to tell me..." "...she's never gonna have
a baby?!" (interviewer) Would you like
to have children one day? Yeah. Would you like
to have children? Yeah. How many? - Four.
- Four?! - Two.
- Two? Okay. Four's a big family now, Sam. I know they'd always
need support... ...if that came about. But, you know, if something
like that happens... ...y'know, we'll be there for them. And, y'know, it's just
a possibility, y'know. At this stage it's a bit of a dream. Well, it's a dream for me. But dreams come true sometimes,
don't they, Sam? - Yes.
- Yep! Mmm. One month later..
Sam is competing in the Rangitoto Ocean Swim (tour guide) So, Rangitoto’s going
to be our first stop... ...then we'll be going on
to Half-Moon Bay. Traveling time to Rangitoto
looking at around about 15-20 minutes. Sit back and relax,
enjoy the ride. (Vivienne) For Tania to go
watch him... ...was just like, far out. Y'know, because she saw
the shark thing on TV... ...she's thinking of the sharks, y'know. "What about the sharks?"
"What if..." She was concerned,
probably two days out. (Jayne) I feel a lot
of confidence in him I know he's going to do it. He's just really,
in the last five years... ...become really competitive
with the swimming. (Sam) Hello! (Jayne) It's pretty exciting. Hello! (Jayne) Y'know,
he's a confident young man. Hi!. Good! We're good. Are these your goggles? Okay. Vaseline for chafing...
Looks nice out there, Sam. Just a little bit choppy
in the middle. - Good conditions,
- Yeah. (Jayne) Who's going to be waiting
at the other side? - Tania!
- Tania. Wow, that'll be great. And when you get
close enough... ...you'll see the brick toilets WALLY
SAM'S DAD - Brick toilets?
- Yep. See the white marker
where the boat is now? The white marker just past it? - White marker?
- See it? Yes. Where the big boat is
just coming past? You head straight for that. And when you see the toilets,
you aim straight for those. (water splashing) [horn blasting signaling start of tournament] He's back there! (Vivenne) You don't like that? So how many laps
was this? Um, no laps,
just straight across... ...straight across from the island,
so it's 4.4 km. - Was he going to come through?
- Yes. (Jayne) That looks like him!
This is exciting. That's him. You've gotta let him run through
to get his time. (Jayne) Awesome!
Way to go, Sam! Woohoo! Come on! Run, Sam! Run, Sam! Run! Run, run, Sam! Run! Woah, thanks love! Look who's here to see you! - Tania!
- Yeah! - [I'm glad to see you]
- Congratulations to you! You too. (interviewer) How did you feel
when you saw Tania? Feel.... ...proud. Proud? Great, (Jayne) Now, do you think
you can do that at Cook Strait? - Yeah, I will.
- I reckon you will, too
