Fresh off the plane from Paris sporting two new bronze medals, Queensland Para-swimmer and QEII Consumer Partner Rachael Watson OAM has a lot to be proud of.
But behind Rachael’s impressive trophy case is a remarkable journey fuelled by unbreakable resolve and resilience in the face of extraordinary obstacles.
“There's going to be a lot of people who might doubt you before you've even had the chance to try,” Rachael said.
“You have to be willing to do a lot of research by yourself into how you might be able to make a goal happen. Once you find good support to help, you really respect it because it's a journey that many people are on with you.”
From the beginning, Rachael’s story was a unique one. Born a triplet with mild Cerebral Palsy, Rachael was determined to live life on her own terms, quickly adapting to the world around her.
Life changed again when Rachael acquired Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) at just 22 years old, facing life in a wheelchair and a long road to rehabilitation ahead of her.
It was through physical therapy that Rachael rediscovered her freedom – and rewrote the course of her career in the most unexpected way.
“GBS put me in a wheelchair, and the rehabilitation saw me starting swimming. I had to relearn how to swim, and it took a long time. After that I decided I wanted to start training with a coach because I was enjoying being in the water and having more ability than I did on land,” she explained.
Rachael’s love for the water soon flourished, while her health and fitness steadily improved.
“I need assistance now to do most things but once I'm in the water I'm completely independent which I love. I can also move my body in a way that I can't on land. Swimming has reduced my pain and spasticity, and it generally is making me healthier and fitter.”
Three Paralympics, two championship records and multiple medals later, Rachael’s incredible story has inspired her family, friends and the next generation of athletes.
Thriving in the water, Rachael says she has no plans to stop swimming anytime soon.
Outside of the pool, Rachael finds empowerment in consumer partnering at QEII, where she gives back by sharing her lived experience to enhance the future of healthcare delivery for more patients.
“I really enjoy being involved in healthcare to support the patients and staff. I value lived experience highly but I also value practitioners who see collaboration as the way forward to improve future patient care,” she said.
As Rachael marks five years of consumer partnering this December, QEII Person-Centred Care Coordinator Lisa Copland says Rachael’s contribution to the hospital over the past half-decade has been invaluable.
“Rachael has been integral to our Expansion Project, the new Allied Health building which opened recently, and disability inclusion as a consumer.”
Congratulations to Rachael on a year of milestones and thank you for your ongoing contribution to enhancing the future of healthcare at QEII.