From her first surf experience to the Halberg Games, Keilani Uluave’s journey is just beginning
For most part of her life, seven-year-old Keilani Uluave believed she would simply have to navigate an able-bodied world as best she could.
Born in Waikato with spina bifida and paralysed from the waist down, Keilani’s early years were shaped by hospital visits, multiple surgeries, and the added challenge of hydrocephalus. Yet, through it all, her family chose resilience — a decision that began even before she was born.
Her mother, Cheide, made the choice not to terminate the pregnancy when she was carrying Keilani and her twin sister Lakyn, embracing the unknown with courage. At the Halberg Games, that decision transformed into a lot of strength, discovery, and possibility.
The past year, in particular, has marked a turning point, her mother said.
After years of navigating medical challenges, Keilani began exploring the world beyond hospital walls — and more recently, the world of sport. A connection sparked through her school in Hamilton led her family to the Parafed Network, opening doors they hadn’t previously known existed.
It was at a Parafed Waikato surf day at Waihi Beach where something shifted. “For the first time, Keilani was out in the surf, on a board, experiencing the freedom of the ocean. She loved it,” Cheide recalls.
Since then, sport has become a regular and joyful part of her life. Keilani now attends weekly athletics sessions, where she is building confidence, strength, and a sense of belonging.
“She reminds us about practices; it’s something we all look forward to as a family now,” says Cheide.
A student at Fairfield Intermediate School in Enderley, Hamilton, Keilani balances her sporting pursuits with regular physiotherapy. While she once dreamed of long jump, she has found her stride in discus throw — adapting and learning that new possibilities are endless for her along the way.
Her debut at the Halberg Games was a big milestone. Surrounded by hundreds of young people with disabilities from across Aotearoa, Keilani competed in the wheelchair relay and discus throw events. But for her, the experience was much more than competition.
“I had so much fun here and met new people,” she said with a smile. “I will definitely come next year, more prepared and do more events.”
For her mother, the impact of the Games has been moving. “It was an emotional moment during the opening ceremony,” Cheide shares. “To see so many children, families, and supporters so passionate about disability and sport, it gave me so much hope.”
That sense of belonging has been transformative, not just for Keilani, but for the entire family.
“I came here out of curiosity, just to see what it would be like,” Cheide says. “But seeing my daughter on the trike, use her hands to push forward — she absolutely loved it and that’s the highlight.” She’d love for her daughter to have one and does know that it will cost a lot of money.
More than anything, Cheide hopes this is only the beginning. “My dream for Keilani is to always feel included in all ways,” she says. “I want her to do whatever she wants and never feel deterred because of her disability or the barriers around her.”
For Keilani, the future is already full of ambition. “I want to be a doctor,” she says confidently.
The young girl is already proving that her journey is not defined by limitations, but by possibility. At the Halberg Games, she found the space to fuel her passion and the courage to try. And surrounded by others just like her, Keilani Uluave is truly thriving.
