Hey my name is Tayla Chalmers I'm 16yrs old and I have been diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed moods and anxiety. I'm currently being supported by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and receiving regular counseling for an assault that happened on New Years eve 2008.
Ive been involved with RDA most of my life from my mum doing instructing and me now doing volunteer work. I really enjoy the people and animals I get to work with...
I went on a course at RDA that Child and Adolescents Mental Healths Services put me through and it helped me a lot with my anxiety and dealing with the real world. It has taught me how to cope better with everyday problems and showed me how to have confidence in myself and the things I do .
When I started working at RDA I had low people skills and extreme low self esteem in myself. Through working with the animals and the people including the children that ride there I've been a lot happier and less angry towards the people around me. I'm smiling... more. When I'm working I always have a smile on my face because I have found a place that I really belong... because nobody judges me and they treat me like I a friend I can never thank RDA enough for helping me turn my life around and making me a better person.
Now I enjoy being able to volunteer and give back some of what RDA has given me so that others can enjoy what i had.