We are a group of 13 youth living across Australia. Each advisor has their own unique chronic pain story and journey. Together we represent a variety of pain conditions, including back pain, headache, endometriosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, CRPS and more. Learn more about our remarkable Youth Advisors here.
Abbie is passionate about dance and fashion. In April 2021, Abbie felt extreme pain in her left foot, and a few months later, was diagnosed with Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Her CRPS is said to originate from trauma where her nervous system became hyperactive causing her extreme pain despite no physical injury. She has received treatment from the pain management unit and has since improved in her recovery and hopefully within the next few years she will be able to continue her passion of dancing.
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Alicia is currently studying Biomedical sciences at university. Alicia has lived with chronic back pain and musculoskeletal/nerve pain for 16 months. She is passionate about medical research and advocating for young people with chronic pain. Alicia believes one of the biggest issues is having your childhood/teenage experience stripped from you due to your pain. She feels particularly strongly about improving Medicare and mental health care plans for young people living with chronic pain.
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Kate is currently in Year 11 completing her SACE. She suffers from chronic daily headache and has had a constant headache for around 2 years. Being a volleyballer, Kate is passionate about spreading chronic pain awareness, specifically in young athletes like herself and also wants to de-stigmatise mental health issues in adolescents, particularly for those with chronic pain.
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Kaitie is currently in year 12. They experience chronic pain from a condition called Mucoplysarchidosis type 1 Hurler syndrome (MPS 1H). Kaitie has had 45 surgeries since their diagnosis in 2007, from simple surgery of ear tubes to spinal surgery. Kaitie was also part of the Chronic Pain Project. Despite Kaitie living with MPS, Kaitie is able to enjoy things like photography, dance, being in musicals and traveling. They have been dancing since 2015 and are now an aassistant dance teacher. Kaitie wants to be an advocate for those who may struggle to speak up, whether it's gender, pain or just needing help to be heard.
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Nihara is currently in her first year of university studying Nursing. She has suffered with both chronic migraines and chronic back/arm pain for 6 years. The cause of her ongoing pain is unknown but is thought to have originated from an initial sporting injury. Despite experiencing chronic pain from a young age, Nihara enjoys swimming, the beach and spending time with her friends. Nihara believes the hardest part of having chronic pain as a teenager is the isolation and lack of understand from her peers. She is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for young people with chronic pain who also experience mental illness.
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Alex Cockburn-Dahl
Alex is currently in her first year of university studying Education. She has suffered with daily chronic pelvic and lower back pain for 6 years and has been diagnosed with endometriosis. Despite experiencing chronic pain since beginning high school, Alex enjoys musical theatre, arts and crafts, spending time with her friends, and organising work functions. Alex is passionate about advocating for other young Australians with chronic pain, and women who struggle with chronic health and fertility issues. Living in North Queensland, Alex is interested in helping increase the amount of care young Australians and women are receiving with chronic pain, and normalising chronic pain for youth within educational environments. |
More to come.