Awards and Accolades:

I have been lucky to be acknowledged and recognized by both my local community and the wider international community. I am so grateful for the support and for receiving the following accolades:                  

• ISAAC Outstanding Consumer Lecture Award (2018)
  I was privileged to be selected to present the Outstanding Consumer Lecture at the bi-annual conference for the International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. You can find my lecture here.

• Hillary Foods - Hillary Summary Shout Out Grant (2017)
  I was one of three people who received a grant from Hillary Foods. As the purpose of this grant was to help with the cost of an adventure or a new experience, I used this grant to ski at the Cardrona Alpine Resort.

• Quota International Community Champion Award Runner-Up (2011)
  Quota International was the first international service organization for women. They support disadvantaged women and children. I was nominated by a teacher because of my positive and caring attitude towards others.

• Attitude Person of the Year Winner (2009)
  The attitude awards are a celebration of the achievements of New Zealanders, who are living with impairments. The attitude team decided to give me an award because they were amazed by my independence and positive attitude.

*Please note these qualifications were awarded to me, either using variants of my previous legal names Mackenzie Kench or Mkemseahe (Mke) Ninces.