There are many lessons that New Zealanders and Australians have learnt throughout COVID-19. Whether it be the importance of getting daily sunshine and a walk, taking time for self-care or staying connected with friends, family and work colleagues. Even though there are many things that I’ve absorbed during COVID-19 in metro Melbourne, there is one thing particular that I will take with me as we go into the new “COVID normal” and it is something that I hope we continue to implement as time goes on and we rebuild our country.

At some point this year most of us will have accessed health care via Telehealth. This has been a constant presence in my life this year as someone with complex health needs. I require multiple appointments each week and will be the first to admit that much of my life this year has been spent looking at a screen talking to my treating team.

Telehealth has not just been convenient in the sense that I have saved energy, time and experienced a reduction in pain; it is also been a saving grace in another way. Before this year I hadn’t acknowledged just how much energy and time I had been spending travelling to appointments day after day. I also hadn’t realised how much this then went on to impact the rest of my life, whether that be seeing family and friends or trying to hold down work.

Telehealth isn’t a new concept, it is something that the disability and chronic illness community have wanted for many years. We were told time and again that it was too hard to implement and would take many years. Then when COVID-19 started hitting our shores, Telehealth was up and running and ready to be utilised by all Australians and New Zealanders within a few days. I’ll be honest and say that I felt extremely hurt because once again I was reminded that so often our community is dismissed and our needs unmet despite the potential benefits for all.

Not only did Telehealth save time, energy and of course petrol money but I found myself in a weird alternate experience where I was able to work more than I ever have. Several years ago whilst still in the throes of then undiagnosed conditions, I was told I needed to give up the hopes of working or even studying again. Being the stubborn person I am I didn’t listen. Since that day I’ve been slowly building myself up working casually and around things such as hospitalisations and appointments. It was draining and extremely exhausting but I found it exceptionally beneficial to my mental health in particular.

My experiences of Telehealth, work and the isolation that can come with having a disability and chronic illness isn’t unique. Many disabled or chronically ill Australians and New Zealanders have found more opportunities to work or engage with their community, watch plays and socialise throughout 2020, sometimes for the first time in many years. 

If there is a lesson to be taken from my experience is that Telehealth is not only convenience but a necessity if we are to give hope to those living with chronic illness or disability and provide them with the greatest chance possible to work, access the community and to be the best possible version of themselves. 

About the writer

Jess Cochran is a 29-year-old from Melbourne. Jess lives with physical and psychosocial disabilities as well as chronic illness. Jess is a writer, performing artist, actress, model, and disability advocate. 

She hopes that her continued involvement with advocacy, writing and the performing arts will help break down the barriers that performing artists with disabilities face when trying to access work, training and performance spaces.