How content creation is helping a young survivor thrive

Already an author, blogger and public speaker at just 20, Claudia Rose humbly brushes off any praise when discussing her latest project, a blog series about the special relationships between humans and animals.

But for the founder of multiple successful websites and a book released in 2017, the journey has been a long and difficult one.

“When I was three and a half I was diagnosed with AML Leukemia, which led to a nine-month stay in Starship, three rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

“The bone marrow transplant got rid of all the cancer cells but unfortunately led to a side effect known as Graft Versus Host Disease.”

After nine years in and out of hospital, and at one point even in palliative care, Claudia was officially released from hospital stays and appointments.

“I could finally stop going in regularly to hospital which was great.”

After attending a few years at Epsom Girls Grammar, Claudia started to focus on writing as a way to inspire those who may be facing their own challenges.

“I love the creativity and the fun of it . . . whether it’s to help people or inspire people who may have gone through similar things. I feel they need that.

“When I was 12, I was one of the patient ambassadors for child cancer, and I really enjoyed spreading their positive messages and getting people involved.”

With her newest project, Pawsitive Tales, which was started August last year, she says the goal was to spread happiness.

The blog features a variety of stories about special relationships between animals and their humans, with one of the stories mentioning her own mobility dog, Wren.

“We got her when she was three. She was meant to be a guide dog but was almost too disobedient.

“It’s nice to have her as a companion, as well as helping me have more independence.”

Claudia also works with the charity Voices of Hope, as a contributing writer and editor.

She says while it’s hard finding a job as someone living with a disability, her advice is to just go for it and follow your own passion.

“Last year alone, I applied for 20 different places and whenever a wheelchair was mentioned it was radio silence.

“What I do can be done from home. I enjoy it and it’s at my own pace. I’ll just start something and see what happens.”

As for future projects, a featured piece for magazine Petlife is in the pipeline.

A talented singer, Claudia will also continue to manage social media for her choir, the Auckland Youth Choir, during lockdown.

“It’s really rewarding to see people read things and feel inspired to keep going and see that they are not alone in certain things.”

Follow Pawsitive Tales on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.