Today we’d like to introduce you to Taytem Barth
Hi Taytem, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born with primordial dwarfism and due to malpractice at birth had 40 plus surgeries to repair my throat before the age of 4. I was able to have the tracheostomy tube removed, but since it took tying my vocal cords back, I could no longer talk. My father was diagnosed with stage four cancer at the age of 6, and subsequently passed away when I was 8. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of soft tissue cancer affecting the connective muscle tissue of my upper torso, unrelated to my genetic condition, and had my right side torso skin, muscle, and bone removed, with my legs grafted to repair the damage. I was never supposed to be born due to complications, and then my parents were told that I would never walk, talk, be a productive human being without being wheelchair bound.
I will be 24 next month. Although I am still just 24-pounds, I can talk by pushing air, finished school, and am a self-taught artist running a business where I sell my artwork and most of the proceeds go to charity. The charity is called the Colin James Barth Outreach, and it is named in honor of my father who fought valiantly to stay with us. The book Notes From a BlackBerry is my life story, written by my mother Julie Barth.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have endured more than I could have ever imagined. Outside of the original 40 plus surgeries, I had another ten to remove a rare cancer. I also lost my father, had an abusive stepfather who made my family miserable and afraid, and have short term memory loss, so basic math and the things that everyone takes for granted as simple, do not come simple to me. At the age of 24, I fight to keep my weight at 24 or more pounds and I stand just about four feet, which makes regular activities sometimes problematic,
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a self-taught artist and I make jewelry. I am most proud that I have done it all myself (with some help from my family), and hopefully brighten the day and world of those who see my work. I would have a harder time finding what sets me with other people.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Sometimes those things that we believe are the worst things in life, the hardest to do, and impossible are only so because other people tell us they are. If you are passionate about something, stick with it and don’t give up. Most importantly, don’t ever let anyone tell you what and who you are, only you get to decide that.
Contact Info:
- Website: hope4tayt.com, juliebarthauthor.net, cjboutreach.org
- Instagram: hope4tayt
- Facebook: hope4tayt
Image Credits
There are none
