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VIC CHAMPION
Tayla Richardson (she/her)
LIVED EXPERIENCE
Disability & Rare Disease
KEY INFORMATION
Place of Birth: Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Current location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Age: 29 years old
Language/s: English only
LGBTQIA+: No
NDIS Participant: Yes
Diagnoses: Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) - Rare genetic neuromuscular disorder
Healthcare Access: Primary Health Care, Allied Health, Secondary care, Tertiary Care, Mental Health, Community services.
BIO
Tayla has lived experience of Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome – a rare disorder that had a gradual onset from 17 years old, and now at 28 years old causes her full body paralysis for 1-3 hours multiple times a day, in addition to symptoms affecting her digestion, communication, vision, respiration and muscle control. Tayla is passionate to improve the care and diagnosis for others with rare diseases after enduring a complex, process-of-elimination diagnostic journey spanning 9 years. Throughout her experiences in healthcare, Tayla has developed robust self-advocacy skills and a comprehensive knowledge of the health system that enables her to critically analyse the opportunities to improve person-centred care, patient experience and outcomes. Her care has been in consultation with geneticists as well as encountering many specialist departments, which has sparked her interest in being involved as a consumer lead in multidisciplinary research. Tayla is an NDIS participant, and supports her siblings who are NDIS participants, so has a thorough understanding of navigating the system from different perspectives. As a disability advocate and engaging writer, Tayla is finding a renewed sense of purpose, service and care for others again, using her lived experience, whilst balancing her health needs.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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Speaker on Rare Disease and Disability
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Rare Disease Day Event​
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Melbourne Disability Expo
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Writer on Rare Disease and Disability, including self portrait piece of 'woman with a disability' displayed in 'FEM-affinity' exhibition online for Bunjil Place
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2022 Run for Strength Ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy Australia
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Completed 3 years of a Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery degree with Monash University
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Previous work as a medical receptionist for outpatient OBGYN clinic
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Danced in various styles as a teenager completing many exams and performances, including in the Disneyland parade
LINKS
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'Embracing Equilibrium' piece for 'FEM-affinity' online exhibition - Bunjil Place
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'In the midst of a pandemic, time is precious for those with a progressive condition' - Tayla writes for Hireup
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'Courage To Discover A New Sense Of Purpose' - International Women's Day Journal & Campaign for B.O.D by Finch
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Tayla: 2022 Run For Strength Ambassador - Muscular Dystrophy Australia
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