Building a City for Your Worst Day

chloewigg
2 days ago
6 min read

was the title of my 60 second challenge at TEDxBrisbane. And I want to take a moment to reflect on that experience.

Chloe Wigg on the TEDxBrisbane stage. Image Courtesy TEDxBrisbane Official

It started with Kate Fisher the force behind Milkshakes for Marleigh.

Her daughter Marleigh has autoimmune encephalitis, the same condition my dad faces, where the immune system attacks and causes inflammation in the brain. Through that connection Kate discovered I also had an autoimmune disease and was receiving IVIG for Myasthenia Gravis. Kate invited me onto her podcast to talk about the life saving and quality of life giving benefits of blood products.

I have watched her transform some of the most devastating experiences a mother can face into a national force for blood donation advocacy. Her vital work means that every single time I needed life saving IVIG, it was there. When she sent me the link to apply to be in the TEDxBrisbane audience, I was honoured. All I wanted was to sit like a proud parent and watch her shine.

I did not expect everything that followed.

I was fresh out of hospital from another scary intensification of my disease (Thank you Australian blood donors and IVIG for saving my life yet again) when I found out I had been accepted AND had the chance to submit for the 60 second challenge.

Living with a rare disease that up and tries to end you now and then, well it makes you live life differently. and everyone approaches that differently.

For me, I want the world to be a better place because I lived in it. All the medical trauma, all the scars and the near misses, it can't be for nothing. Every day that I am alive and breathing is a day gifted to me from blood donation and I will use that gift to give back.

Was this the best time to take on something. - NO

but this was an opportunity I could not let pass me by.

Not just for me, but for all those without a voice.

We escaped the world and went camping for the sole purpose of being uncontactable, where I couldn't have any medical appointments (... or work commitments.... woops) I drafted what I wanted to say in between enforced rest times, recovering from being unable to move or breathe. And recorded my submission on the side of the road, desperately trying to get one clean take between traffic noise, dog barks (thanks Duster) and, my favorite from Mr 8. "Can we go now?!?!?!?!"

I never expected to be picked.

I am not a CEO who flies planes on weekends for charity. I am not a groundbreaking researcher who found the cure for aging.

I am just me.

Just Chloe.

But what I chose to talk about was what I saw was deeply needed and timely. Something that shifted the conversation about access from a disability or"them" issue, to something we all deserve... because access is everyone's issue.

And that is what TEDxBrisbane is about. Yes how you speak matters. But your IDEA is the most important thing. It levels the playing field. Passionate people. With a big idea. In search of the right audience.

Then the TEDxBrisbane team showed why they are global leaders.

I experienced something I had never experienced before. An advocate. A volunteer contact who answered every question directly, who called and talked me through the location, the day and how everything will run. "What time are the breaks" "where are the wheelchair parks?" Simple questions, answered quickly, that make an enormous difference, especially when you have a complex health situation. Every detail was considered.

Then there was the 60 Second Challenge Team. Glen ... well Glen just gets stuff done. Everything was well planned, excellently communicated and as someone who had been the recipient of well meaning but poorly executed inclusion, Glen is the gold standard. He got me a head set mic because holding mics can be hard for me, he made sure we ran though getting on and off stage, that I wasn't going to get stuck on the carpet and that all the 60 Second Challenge finalists movements were similar so that the wheelchair was not going to feel out of place or "other".

Chloe Wigg and Glen Murphy behind the scenes checking accessibility prior to the 60 Second Challenge delivery.

Tiana worked with me to make my speech more cohesive and impactful. She was so giving with her time, knowledge and skill and is the worlds best one woman cheer squad!

Then came rehearsal night.

Chloe Wigg and Tiana Iuvale at the 60 Second Challenge rehearsal

I stood (well sat) in front of Tiana, Glen, my fellow finalists - the fantastic 4 - Gaj Panagoda, Elena Sokolova and Ingrid Devlin, TEDx Speakers Fleur Madden and Molly McCluskey ... and Juanita.

Juanita, who, until that moment I had only heard spoken of with deep respect ... and ... well ....affectionate fear.

I was expecting a dragon ... and in walked this wonderful pocket rocket of a human.

I delivered my 60 second rehearsal. Fumbled a line but finished on time. And then...

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Her face was blank.

A million thoughts spiralled until finally I blurted out "OMG your face is giving me nothing, I need you to say something!"

"It was good."

Literally no expression.

Ok. *deep breath * I can deal with good. Good can be improve on.

We talked through pace, delivery, when to pause, how to use the clock. I took every word to heart.

What I would later learn is that Juanita is not someone who spares your feelings. If she can help you, she will, and it will be direct and matter of fact. She is a deeply kind human. And blank face?

Blank face means she is delighted.

I went home and practiced. In the shower. In the mirror. I made people make unflinching eye contact with me while I recited. I wrote down exactly what second each sentence was supposed to finish on. That might sound like too much preparation. But I had a lot to prove. Not to anyone else.

To myself.

I was not chosen for optics. I was chosen because I had an idea everyone needed to hear.

The fantastic 4. Left to right: Chloe Wigg, Ingrid Devlin, Elena Sokolova and Gaj Panagoda. Behind the scenes ready to deliver their 60 Second Challenge Idea.

Backstage we shook out our nerves.

I sang my power songs (Titanium and Pocketful of Sunshine) and reminded myself that no matter what, I am strong and I make my own happiness.

When I got on that stage I expected the shaking and the nerves. Instead I thought:

"this audience has no idea what is about to hit them."

I crossed my legs (like a lady) dusted off my dress, gave the audience a cheeky smile and ...

Chloe Wigg delivering her 60 Second Challenge Idea. Image courtesy TEDxBrisbane Official

I smashed it.

Chloe Wigg (With an "I'm very serious" face) 60SC finalist at TEDxBrisbane. Image courtesy TEDxBrisbane Official

I nailed it for me, and I nailed it for everyone who doesn't have a voice to say it. Universal design and accessibility benefit everyone.

But my favourite moment? Very few people saw it.

I got off that stage absolutely electric. Confirmed the microphone was off. And violently (and with absolutely no chill) celebrated, I whispered a few words I will not type here, triple fist pumped the air, happy stamped my feet....and froze like a deer in headlights.

Because there was Juanita.

Blank face.

I thought I was about to be told off for being unprofessional in the wings.

Then her face broke into the biggest smile and she whisper shouted "YES! YOU SMASHED IT!"

Juanita Wheeler and Chloe Wigg at TEDxBrisbane 2026. Image courtesy TEDxBrisbane Official

A double fist bump from Glen. And I floated off on a cloud (well power wheelchair but whatever)

The following photos make me so happy. They are action shots of Juanita retelling my self congratulation session back stage. It was the moment Juanita cemented herself as one of my all time favourite human beings. In a world where I am use to being "too much", and apologising for my sparkle, she celebrated it. She shouted it from the rooftops. She made me promise to never dull my shine.

Sharing that moment with my two wing women Marlisa and Sarah, that was special.

Juanita retelling the antics of back stage (with permission of course). Marlisa a little shocked, Sarah not surprised one bit and me happy to have brought so much joy through my lack of chill. Image courtesy of TEDxBrisbane Official

Left to right: Marlisa Kwan, Juanita Wheeler, Chloe Wigg and Sarah Jones. Image Courtesy of TEDxBrisbane Official

TEDxBrisbane is a turning point in my life. The audience was curated with precision and intention. Every single person there seemed to be genuinely trying to make the world better.

To everyone who has reached out since, who connected, who shared their own story, thank you. You are why it mattered.

And to Kate. None of this existed without you.