2023 MitoScholars Empowering youth living with mitochondrial disease to focus on their futures
Miriam Chatterton-Taylor | Lethbridge, Alberta | BA Anthropology (3rd year) University of Lethbridge
Meet Miriam Chatterton-Taylor, a third-year university student from Alberta. Miriam lives with MELAS, a rare, progressive multi-system neurodegenerative disorder. This mitochondrial disease primarily affects many areas of the body, especially the brain, nervous system and muscles. Miriam shares, “My perseverance, hard work, passion, and my family have allowed me to live life to the fullest despite this condition holding me back.”
Miriam is studying at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta this year, and has just entered her fourth year of studies. After she completes her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a master’s in anthropology. She loves to explore new cultures and participated in a brief student exchange to Budapest.
“I would like to convey a huge thanks to the scholarship committee and MitoCanada for being chosen for this year’s MitoScholarship,” says Miriam. “Being diagnosed with MELAS has turned my world upside down. Some days my disease makes life really hard, but I persevere and work really hard in my education to prove to myself I am capable.”
We’re so proud to support this young scholar in pursuing her dreams.