UNBREAKABLE MP TAMATHA 'THIS IS THE REAL ME'

After years of keeping a brave face, the Green Party politician reveals the disability that's shaped her life

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Tamatha Paul has made a name for herself as a fearless voice in Parliament, but now the young Green Party politician, the elected MP for Wellington Central, is showing a different kind of courage.

An Instagram post made from her hospital bed after a recent heart ablation revealed the extent of the lifelong health conditions that have shaped Tamatha's journey and the battles she has fought behind closed doors.

Her whole life, Tamatha has masked the impact of her disabilities, with two autoimmune conditions causing chronic pain and fatigue, which can make it impossible for her to move or even get out of bed some days.

"I've always been really open about my lupus and rheumatoid arthritis because they were diagnosed when I was 12, and are just part of my reality," she tells Woman's Day. "But until now, I've never said, 'Actually, life can be a bit harder for me.' That was my first time letting the world know."

Tamatha, 28, admits to being "a little anxious" about sharing her health challenges so publicly.

"One of my biggest fears is when people know you have any kind of disability, they start to make decisions on your behalf about what they think you can and can't do. I didn't want that to happen."

She was also concerned about the response to her post from disabled communities, but her worries were soon put to rest by the “hundreds if not thousands” of messages she received in support, which “meant the world”.

Tamatha explains, “Many of the people who reached out told me about their own health challenges, which was a great reminder of why I do the job I do.”

The politician's heart condition was picked up a year ago, when her vitals were checked during a routine iron infusion.