Taylor was an Olympic gymnastics hopeful, on track to compete for Canada in the 2012 Summer Olympics. At the age of fourteen, she was injured in a training accident, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury which left her with quadriplegia
Taylor’s story was featured widely throughout the press — The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star and CTV’s morning show, Canada AM. “After the accident, I was interviewed on Canada AM,” says Taylor. “The process of sharing stories was fascinating and ever since I was young I’ve had an interest in entertainment.”
One of Taylor’s nurses told her to apply to Shine, knowing that it helped kids with severe physical disabilities see a brighter future for themselves. When Shine began working with Taylor on her customized Dream, she used the opportunity to dedicate herself to her new path and asked to meet Ryan Seacrest. “I want to be an entertainment reporter when I grow up and he’s one of the biggest and hardest working people in the industry.”
Shine worked with the organizers of the iHeartRadio Festival, hosted by Seacrest, to set up a private meet-and-greet with Seacrest and sent Taylor, her mother and cousins to the two-day event in Las Vegas.
“He seemed like he cared about meeting me,” remembers Taylor. “I told him, I know you’re super busy and I don’t know how you do it.” Seacrest’s response still resonates with Taylor: “Whatever you’re doing in your life or your career, make sure you love it and you’ll never feel like you’re working a day in your life.”
“It gave me more drive and motivation when I got back,” says Taylor. “It got me even more excited in the program that I’m in today and pursuing my dreams in the entertainment field.”
Taylor has since completed Toronto Metropolitan University's Radio and Television Arts program and has completed an internship with Global News and Entertainment Tonight Canada.
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