Tell us in your own words why you do what you do, keep this positive and relevant including the passion and vision you had to live this new life you have created for yourself.

In reference to being a professional model, I do it because it was a dream of mine since I was about 10 or 11 years old. Back when I was a kid, I didn’t use a wheelchair, have supplemental oxygen, or was severely limited by my conditions. I didn’t even have a diagnosis at that time despite symptoms that were worsening as I got older. When I became an adult, I entered beauty pageants and became Miss Maryland 2015 for the Miss World Organization. I even placed in the Top 12 at Miss World America. During that time, I did some modeling and acting work, but as I got sicker, my involvement in my passions waned. After developing an internal abscess that resulted in the very quick progression of my conditions, which has now caused me to use a power wheelchair and supplemental oxygen, I really thought that my modeling career was over. I didn’t see anyone that looked like me in magazines or on television, and I started to wonder why when 1 in 4 people are disabled and around 115 million are wheelchair users. It was that thought that propelled me into pursuing that same lifelong dream I worked towards for more than half my life. I applied to several modeling agencies and within a year and a half, I was signed to three well-known and respected talent agencies. In addition to that, I was documenting my life and sharing my thoughts about disability rights, political issues, and human rights issues which gained me over 15,000 followers in just two years. My life became about so much more than just modeling; It became about furthering the disability rights movement. I went back to college and am currently pursuing degrees both in History and Political Science. Next year I will be graduating with my associate’s degree in history and will transfer to a university and double major in Political Science and (maybe) Mass Psychology. I had realized that to make the most impact for marginalized communities, particularly multi-marginalized demographics, I would have to enter the world of politics myself. There is no better way to make change than to create a seat at the table for yourself. And yes, being sick and going to school is extraordinarily difficult. But I have managed well and am now leading the academic society (Phi Theta Kappa) at my college with a 3.9 GPA. It may seem strange to people that I am a (disabled) model who is simultaneously crossing over to a career in politics, but I live with the mindset that I can be anything regardless of stereotypes or social norms society has placed on me.

What was it that prompted the change in your journey?

To put it simple, the onset of my conditions and disability are what prompted me to the journey I’m in now. Becoming sick, having to use mobility/medical devices and navigating a world that is so unkind/inaccessible to people like me has made me the person that I am today.

Is a life goal important to you and how would you define this?

My life goal is really to make the world more accessible to disabled folks. And I mean that as more than just ramps or accessible restrooms. For example, education is difficult for disabled people to complete because of a lack of accessibility and accommodations. Only 1/3 of disabled people finish their degree program. I’ve almost dropped out a handful of times myself. Increasing accessibility also means making the workplace accessible to disabled people, like giving them the option to telework—or implementing regulations that hold businesses responsible for inaccessibility, because like I said earlier, despite the ADA… that does not exist. Because of these issues, disabled people live in poverty, cannot access healthcare (which is inaccessible on many levels), which then affects our economy. Accessibility, TRUE accessibility, isn’t just good for disabled people. It would improve our entire society and economy. This is the type of goal I want to work towards. Additionally, representation in the media makes a difference. If we are seen as real people, and not used as inspiration porn (which is dehumanizing), then people will treat us like actual human beings and not second class citizens.

Why is it important to follow your dream and what have you share from this?

I think it’s important to follow your dreams simply because your happiness matters. Not only that, but your ability to reach your dreams can impact others. People may want to follow in your footsteps, which will only further your overall mission. That is beautiful.

Where do you go from here, what does the future hold?

My hope is to not only be a successful model/actress, but to become a political analyst and work on legislation to improve the lives of multi-marginalized people, especially the disabled. As far as I know, there are no disabled people who look like me leading this country. Without representation we will never see the change we need.