NAIDOC award-winner Shayla Collins-Wharton

A Darling Downs NAIDOC award-winner has opened up on the challenges of living with a disability and finding art as a way to overcome adversity. Read her inspiring story.

Sitting over a brightly coloured orange and black painting, Shayla Collins-Wharton places each dot with care on a black canvas background.

On the walls of her dining room and throughout her house hang similar, brightly coloured paintings of hers.

Five years ago, Ms Collins-Wharton’s life turned upside down as she was walking the streets of Oakey with her cousins and she fell, her leg giving way.

She had dislocated her knee and severed arteries, and while she was being treated was told she had the possibility of losing her leg as she had developed a life-threatening blood clot.

“I was in shock and never really knew and didn’t take it seriously,” Ms Collins-Wharton said.

Rushed to Brisbane for surgery, Ms Collins-Wharton spent five days in a coma, only to wake up and try to move her leg.

“I actually thought I still had my leg until the doctors were at the end of my bed discussing it and that’s how I actually found out,” she said.

Indigenous artist and NAIDOC Week award recipient Shayla Collins-Wharton, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I was shocked because I still felt like I had feeling in my leg. Even today I still get that feeling and sensations and random pain, it’s just crazy.”

Now, five years later, the 28-year-old nimbly moves around in a wheelchair in her Torrington home. A talented artist, an entrepreneur, a proud aunty and owner to a six month old puppy Ms Collins-Wharton is working towards her travel plans and working in hospitality.

During the six month hospital stay after her left leg was amputated, she developed more of her art skills and found it was a way to find healing, respite and connection to her family.

A Kooma and Mardigan woman on her dad’s side, her mother was part of the Stolen Generation.

Working with a physiotherapist so she can walk with a prosthetic, Ms Collins-Wharton hopes to get back into tourism and hospitality.

She now has more freedom, reaching the milestone of being able to drive again.

“Don’t give up,” she said.

Last year Ms Collins-Wharton was recognised as being a role model for other young Aboriginal women living with a disability and was awarded the Value and Embrace Disability Award at the Toowoomba NAIDOC awards.