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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

http://www.championhealthagency.com/

Champion Health Agency, Brisbane City (2026)

08/10/2023

It is with great sadness and absolute heartbreak that we share that our beautiful Champion Cara Curan passed away on September 28. Cara had such a big impact on everyone she met, and is so greatly loved in our Champion community. We shared laughs, tears, frustrations, dreams, and so much hope.

Cara's impact, and advocacy work lives on - in the hearts of everyone who was fortunate enough to speak with her, see her on social media, watch her on TV or read her words and about her in the media.

What Cara has achieved, and her approach to life is unmatched. Always seeing the beauty in others, and bringing so much warmth to every interaction. Even when unwell, her passionate energy and determination was contagious. As she wrote for the Heart Research Institute, "I didn’t want any regrets. I had a wild heart and a passion for life...Heart disease doesn’t define me. I’ve done so much."

Our love and thoughts are with Cara's family and loved ones during this incredibly painful time.

Rest in peace, amazing Cara. You are so loved, and so incredibly missed. ❤️❤️

Image description: A photo of Cara, a woman in her thirties with long brown hair. She is wearing a patterned pant set in white, pinks and oranges. She is standing at the top of the stairs, with trees in the background.

17/04/2023

Champion Susan Jarvis is featured in this weeks issue of Take 5 Magazine - in print now.

Susan shares her story of divorce, self-discovery, s*xual reawakening, navigating menopause and creating her business The Spicy Bo***ir 🖤

In the article Susan shares, 'It was heartbreaking to think menopause could make me lose a part of myself I'd been having a blast rediscovering.'

'In 2019, I created a blog called the Spicy Bo***ir to help women over 50 and those with disabilities discover their s*xuality...I was blown away by how popular it was'

Congratulations Susan - what a wonderful and empowering feature!

Pick up your copy in store (Coles/Woolworths/newsagent) now!

Image description: A beige coloured graphic with an image at the top a double-page magazine spread featuring Susan Jarvis. There are multiple pictures of Susan, a big title in black, white and pink reading 'this can't be the end', and the majority of the image is small black and white text. Below the image there is small brown capitalised text that reads 'Susan Jarvis for Take 5 Magazine'. Below this there is large centred pink text that reads, 'This can't be the end'. At the bottom of the graphic there is brown small text that reads 'at symbol champion health agency'.

05/04/2023

NOW REPRESENTING: Mahlia Hope

Mahlia is a passionate advocate with lived experience of neurodiversity, chronic illness, mental health and disability. She is a loving single mother of two children who are neurodiverse, and is a photographer. � �Mahlia brings a wide breadth of insights into healthcare; from psychiatry in the diagnosis of autism and ADHD for her and her children, to cancer care, having been diagnosed with a sarcoma in her leg. As a result of her health complexities, Mahlia and her family are under the care of genetics, growing her with interest in genomics in health care and research. � �Mahlia wants to break down bias and discrimination, using examples from her own experiences of dismissal as a young, pans*xual, Aboriginal woman. She has a history of being misdiagnosed and mistreated in the medical and education systems before she was formally diagnosed with ADHD (combination type), autism, autoimmune conditions and multiple chronic illnesses. Mahlia wants to use these experiences constructively to improve care for patients and education for doctors from a lived experience perspective. � �From her experiences as a carer of an NDIS participant, and trying to access the scheme herself, requiring subsidised medication, and seeking support with housing and family violence, Mahlia is motivated to improve support pathways. � �In 2023 Mahlia will publish her first children’s book, positioned to be a resource for kids to better understand ADHD. Mahlia is particularly interested in advocacy opportunities and using her lived experience in professional development and education to health professionals, consultancy, committee roles, research, speaking opportunities and social media collaborations.

Warm welcome to the CHA Family, Mahlia! 🤎

Image description: A brown graphic with a white bold capitalised text in the centre of the image reading ‘Introducing’. Below the text there is an image of Mahlia. Mahlia is smiling widely looking off to the side, with shoulder length curled blonde hair and green eyes, wearing a white dress and holding her toddler daughter up above her head in front of her. Her daughter is wearing a white knit cardigan and a yellow dress, and is smiling to the. camera. The background is two rows of trees with autumn brown and orange coloured leaves. Underneath the image there is an orange rectangle outline with white text inside. The large text above reads ‘Mahlia Hope’ and below in smaller capitalised text it reads ‘Disability, Chronic Illness and Mental Health, Western Australia, A U S’. Below the rectangle outline there is small text that reads at symbol champion health agency.

04/04/2023

Champion Cara wrote a moving piece for Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) titled, ‘Born with a Broken Heart’.

In the piece, Cara describes her experience being born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), and the changes in how the condition has impacted her and how she has related to it throughout her life.

Cara’s words are raw, real and may be triggering for some. They speak a truth many of us don’t hear: one of someone who is in end stage heart failure, and has been waiting on the transplant list for over one and a half years.

Her upbringing never led her to think she was a ’sick kid’, and she writes that, “Growing up I just thought I had a scar down my chest and I was sick when I was a baby.”

It was after being listed for a heart transplant, that Cara had time to reflect on how her CHD had impacted her life, despite her never previously considering herself as being unwell, chronically ill or disabled.

“Over the past one and a half years that I have been waiting for my phone to ring so many memories play over and over again in my head. It’s only now that I realise how many areas of my life my heart affected - from school and learning difficulties, coordination, memory, facial and dental deformities.”

You can read Cara’s full piece here - https://oursite.wwda.org.au/stories/born-with-a-broken-heart

Image description: A blush coloured graphic with an image at the top of Cara Curan. Cara is a woman in her thirties, with long brown hair and blue eyes, smiling with the sun on her. She is wearing a red long sleeve bohemian style top, tied at the front, and has a scar down the centre of her chest. She is wearing black pants and a belt, standing with her hands by her side. The background of the photo is blurred blue water, with green and brown land in the background and blue sky. Below the image is small capitalised brown text that reads ‘Cara Curan for Women with Disabilities Australia’. There is larger muted red coloured text below, reading ‘Brown with a brown heart’ and small brown text centred below that reads 'at symbol champion health agency'.

28/03/2023

NOW REPRESENTING: Andrea Ogg

Andrea Ogg is a speaker and advocate for disability, chronic illness and organ donation/transplant, with lived experience of receiving a heart transplant in 2018 and a late-diagnosed congenital heart defect - Left Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy - which she inherited from her mother. While she failed to thrive as an infant and exhibited all the symptoms of her disease throughout her young life, she remained undiagnosed until the age of 36.

After the diagnosis, Andrea had her life-long experiences, brushed off as ‘laziness’ by employers, educators and loved ones, validated.

Despite Andrea having lived with this her entire life, the diagnosis brought news that she would be unable to have children, required urgent surgery to implant a defibrillator and that she would eventually need a heart transplant. At the same time, she went through a divorce.

Finally in 2018 at the age of 52, Andrea received her new heart, and with the life saving surgery came an acquired brain injury that impacted the Executive Center of her brain, costing her 10 IQ points, her critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills, and ultimately her career as a marketing executive. However, with a new lease on life she has become a public speaker, performed as an actress, singer and dancer in multiple award-winning musicals, competed in various 5k races, traveled the world, climbed mountains, embarked on a modelling career, and volunteered as a Resilience Coach for other heart transplant patients.

Andrea has unique perspectives on living well, grief and resilience, and how education, employment and medical systems can improve their care of people with invisible disabilities. She has additional insights garnered from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and navigating it as an immunocompromised heart transplant recipient, meaning she cannot effectively fight infectious disease or generate high levels of antibodies from the vaccines.

Warm welcome Andrea to our CHA family ❤️

Image description: A brown graphic with a white bold capitalised text in the centre of the image reading ‘Introducing’. Below the text there is an image of Andrea. Andrea is smiling widely wearing red lipstick, with blue eyes and shoulder length red curly hair. She is wearing an emerald green turtleneck jumper, and behind her is a scene of snow, pine trees and the blue winter sky. Underneath the image there is an orange rectangle outline with white text inside. The large text above reads ‘Andrea Ogg’ and below in smaller capitalised text it reads ‘Disability, Chronic Illness and Transplant, Colorado, U S A’. Below the rectangle outline there is small text that reads at symbol champion health agency.

13/03/2023

Champion Stephanie Kelly was featured in an article by Daily Telegraph following having her car keyed while parked in a disabled car park.

This was after years of criticism and abuse for parking in disabled car parks, from people assuming Stephanie does not have a disability because of how she looks.

"Ms Kelly said she could count on one hand the times she parked in a spot and was not judged because of her appearance..." the article reads, "Ms Kelly said often she will not park in the disabled spot to “not deal with hate and judgmental looks.”

You can read the full article here - https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/annoying-disabled-womans-car-keyed-at-shops-in-disabled-permit-drama/news-story/dbf78922e3f4f48e0762cc7d51fd2ed6

Image description: A beige graphic with an image at the top of Stephanie Kelly, a blonde caucasian woman in her twenties with blue eyes and her hair in a pony tail. She is wearing a white button up shirt. Behind her is a black car and green hedges. Below the image is small brown text that reads 'Stephanie Kelly for The Daily Telegraph' with larger mustard colour text below ''Annoying’: Disabled woman’s car keyed at shops in disabled permit drama', and small brown text below that reads 'at symbol champion health agency'.

12/03/2023

NOW REPRESENTING: Susan Jarvis

Susan Jarvis, also known as The Maven, is the founder of The Spicy Bo***ir and host of the popular podcast, The Maven's Private Diaries. She is a leading voice in the Australian s*x and relationship education community, known for her candid and empowering approach to exploring s*xuality and relationships and smashing taboos and stereotypes around s*x, death and disability. Susan has written for major media outlets, and featured in numerous podcasts.

Susan's journey to becoming an advocate for s*xuality of older age persons and people living with a disability began when she was diagnosed with a chronic condition that left her with limited mobility and ‘feeling invisible’ at the checkout, media and adult stores. Susan has since established a dedicated following and has since been featured in numerous Australian media outlets for her work, such as The Sydney Morning Herald where she discussed the importance of s*x education for over 50s and the need for more inclusive and accessible resources.

Susan’s purpose is to shine the light on ageless s*xuality and demonstrate that physical disability does not preclude one from enjoying intimacy. Having also a lived experience of anxiety and depression, Susan is a passionate advocate for de-stigmatising mental health and speaks openly about her experience with family, friends and the medical profession.

Aside from Susan’s journey as a business owner, she has very broad life experience, both as a carer (end-of-life) and consumer of the public health system. Combined with this, Susan also has the unique perspective of having been employed in public health working across areas such as Clinical Governance, Patient Safety and Quality, Palliative Care and has also been involved as a secretariat for National Standard Health Committees. This creates a unique combination of skills and experience which can contribute critical analysis and ideas generation for projects dedicated to improving health outcomes for the community.

You can read Susan's full bio here - https://www.championhealthagency.com/susan-jarvis

Welcome to CHA Susan, so happy to have you ❤️

Image description: A brown graphic with a white bold capitalised text in the centre of the image reading ‘Introducing’. Below the text there is an image of Susan. Susan is smiling widely, with blue eyes and long, curled dark hair with grey highlights and is wearing red lipstick and a red feather boa with a black long sleeve top. Behind her is a lounge room setting. Underneath the image there is an orange rectangle outline with white text inside. The large text above reads ‘Susan Jarvis’ and below in smaller capitalised text it reads ‘Disability, Chronic Illness and Mental Health, Queensland, Aus’. Below the rectangle outline there is small text that reads at symbol champion health agency.

20/02/2023

“I was thirty when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with an eating disorder I’d never even heard of before.” - Our Champion Ferris Knight shares their experience with Eating Disorders Victoria in a written piece, ‘Rumination - a lived experience perspective’. Ferris explores their path to understanding and diagnosis of Rumination - an eating disorder many don’t even know exists.

“Rumination is different to throwing up. For one, you aren’t actually sick or nauseous,” Ferris explains, “Sometimes I know it’s going to happen, and sometimes it’s a surprise. It’s hard to explain, but you know when you have a feeling you will sneeze? It’s similar, except knowing you’re going to regurgitate your food.”

From having episodes in their teens, to a diagnosis and beginning recovery at 30 years old, Ferris explains the stigma attached, “Telling someone you involuntarily and randomly regurgitate your food is difficult though. I felt quite disgusting, not being able to do something as basic as keep my food down.”

Ferris puts some thought-provoking words around first identifying symptoms and changes, “Sometimes you know when something starts. It’s this seismic shift between before and after, where something changes and your life won’t be the same again. Other times, you don’t recognise the significance of something and cast it from your mind.”

If an eating disorder is affecting you or someone you care about, Eating Disorders Victoria is there to listen and help - 1300 550 236 / www.eatingdisorders.org.au

Thank you Ferris for shining a light on Rumination so eloquently. You can read the full piece here - https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/rumination-a-lived-experience-perspective/

Image description: A beige graphic with a heading in brown capitals, framed between two horizontal that reads, ‘ON EATING DISORDERS VICTORIA BLOG’. Below on the left there is a photo of Ferris Knight. Ferris has blue eyes and brown hair and is sitting in a hospital bed, with their hair tied back and wearing black framed glasses and a white hospital gown, with a neutral expression. Below the photo there is text that reads ‘at symbol champion health agency’. On the right of the photo there is a large text title that reads, 'Rumination - a lived experience perspective - By Ferris Knight' with smaller brown text beneath reading, 'Sometimes you know when something starts. It’s this seismic shift between before and after, where something changes and your life won’t be the same again. Other times, you don’t recognise the significance of something and cast it from your mind.'

15/02/2023

NOW REPRESENTING: Chris Henderson

Chris Henderson is a proud disability and mental health advocate, who aims to be the vehicle for young people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to imagine and pursue what is possible. Chris is the Captain of the Richmond Football Club, where he led their Wheelchair AFL team to win the Premiership in 2022, in addition to competing in the Australian Men's Para Beach Volleyball team in the World Championships in the USA in November 2022.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in October 2017, Chris' world drastically changed. After 14 months getting an effective management plan in place, his wife insisted he try out for wheelchair AFL at the 'come and try' drafting day where he was selected by Richmond, and his journey in wheelchair sports began. At the end of the season, in addition to winning the Premiership, Chris was awarded the club's 'Best and Fairest' Award, the League's 'Best and Fairest' Award and the Medal for 'Best on Ground in Grand Final' and a Premiership Medal.

In 2020, Chris was appointed Captain, and in 2022 his team were successful again in winning the Premiership. Chris was then selected as Captain for the Victorian Team and they went through to the National Carnival as undefeated Champions.

In November 2022, when Chris was selected as part of the Australian Men's Para Beach Volleyball Team to compete in the USA, his team finished fourth in the international tournament.

Through Chris' lived experience of disability, and as a successful athlete, he has become an experienced and sought-after speaker - with his presentations well received by a range of audiences as he speaks from his heart.

With insights into mental health, especially post-diagnosis, Chris wants to use his platform to break down stigma and promote conversations on men's mental health.

Chris has featured in a Colgate Ad 'Smile Strong with VWFL' (Victorian Wheelchair Football League) and in a new app 'Footy Skills Lab' to teach kids how to play wheelchair AFL in a collaboration between Google and the AFL.

Warm welcome to CHA Chris, we are privileged to have you 🤎

ID in comments

11/02/2023

In late January, CHA Founder Anja travelled to Canberra for the National Youth Disability Summit, hosted by Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA). The Summit was co-designed with young people with diverse disabilities, and showcased three main themes; diagnosis, self-care and inclusive education.

Anja met advocate Zoe Simmons , and heard her share her story of battling the medical system for answers to her symptoms - a story that is far too common. A story that is shared by many people, especially those who are young and AFAB.

The Summit provided great opportunities for young people aged 18-25 to get together face to face, share their stories and brainstorm solutions to the things that mattered most to them. It is incredibly heartening to see such a strong cohort of advocates coming up through the ranks, standing on the shoulders of giants, who have paved a path for young people to be heard loud and proud.

Thank you to for creating opportunities like this for young people with disabilities to connect with their peers. Together, our voices are stronger.

Image description: A blush coloured graphic with wavy lines halfway down. In the centre there is an image of Zoe and Anja smiling, two women in their twenties. Zoe and Anja are sitting down. Zoe has blue eyes and bright pink hair with blue tips, and is wearing a black dress with a pink blazer. Anja has blonde hair, and is wearing a white blouse and light pink patterned skirt. Below the images there is a beige text box with capitalised brown text that reads, ‘National Youth Disability Summit 2023’ and below this smaller text reading, ‘CHA Founder Anja Christoffersen with Advocate Zoe Simmons in Canberra.’

10/02/2023

This year, Champion Raimy-Rose has launched Sick Of It Podcast discussing all things life and disability! Through her episodes, she explores guests' experiences of disability, life, relationships and career in an interesting and dynamic way. In addition to an episode exploring her story being diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Raimy has featured fellow Champions as guests, including Michelle Worthington .author, Cara Curan and CHA Founder Anja .

Head over to your preferred podcasting platform to subscribe, listen and keep up to date with episodes!

Raimy, we are loving listening to these insightful episodes!

Image description: A graphic with a yellow background, centering a graphic illustration of a person with purple hair in a white jumper with white glasses drinking from a mug. Behind the person there is a rainbow with a pink centre, orange and light yellow. At the top of the graphic there is bold black text that reads 'Sick of It', with white text below reading 'Life and Disability'. Overlayed on the person there is light brown text that reads 'with Raimy-Rose Lewis'.

08/02/2023

Champion Scott Taylor writes for Invacare revealing, 'NDIS Is Changing Plan Dates Without Telling Participants'. Scott shares how in only 6 weeks, his plan dates were changed by NDIS THREE times without his knowledge or consent.

"Now it may be asked what the changing of plan dates means. Plain and simple; more paperwork, contacting my service providers, informing them what has happened, then depending on their process, a whole new service agreement must be created and signed by me. It’s not only my time wasted, but the time of NDIS service providers and staff within the agency." Scott shares.

However the biggest impact is one that cannot be seen or measured. Scott writes, "The saddest and most significant impact is that I begin to reinternalise and believe the “choice and control” that I, and all participants seek, is back in someone else’s hands. This is a belief, and oftentimes reality, that people with disability battle every single day of our lives."

You can read the full article in the link below. Thank you Scott for your advocacy, and bringing this pertinent issue to public attention.

https://www.invacare.com.au/support/news/ndis-changing-plan-dates-without-telling-participants-scott-taylor

Image description: A beige graphic with a heading in brown capitals, framed between two horizontal that reads, ‘NEW ON INVACARE BLOG’. Below on the left there is a photo of Scott Taylor. Scott is a caucasian male in his thirties, has short brown hair, is smiling and wearing thin black frame glasses. Scott is wearing a red shirt and jeans, and is sitting in a wheelchair on a footpath. Below the photo there is text that reads ‘at symbol champion health agency’. On the right of the photo there is a large text title that reads, 'NDIS Is Changing Plan Dates Without Telling Participants - By Scott Taylor' with smaller brown text beneath reading, 'The agency has expectations of us as participants of the scheme to be transparent if our situation changes at any point, yet in my situation, there was a complete lack of transparency when they make changes that impact my life.'

Champion Health Agency

08/10/2023

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm