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From Survivor to Supporter
I am a survivor of multiple sclerosis, lupus, heart attack, fibromyalgia, aneurysms, and more. I am turning my pain into purpose. I now advocate for chronic illness warriors and empower the voiceless to rise and thrive. I advocate for the National MS Society, the American Heart Association: You’re the Cure, and the Lupus Foundation of…
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Disability, Motherhood & Me
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Notes From a Stroke Survivor
“What does it feel like to live in a Body that knows its limits?” At age 24, just five days after moving to New York City, I answered. Though I wouldn’t have responded honestly then, had I not suddenly become a Stroke Survivor. Burnout was no longer a rhetorical and far-fetched concept, as Disability became…
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The Day I Realized I Was Different
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The Girl Who Learned She Was Enough
Growing up with a disability was not easy. As a child, I wanted the same things that most kids wanted—to make friends, fit in, and enjoy life without feeling different. Instead, many of my childhood memories are filled with questions, self-doubt, and the feeling that I did not belong. One moment that stands out happened…
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We Are So Much More Than the “Label” of Our Diagnosis
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From Island Roots to Impact: The Resilient Journey of Kariza Herbert
Originally from the Republic of Cape Verde, a country island off the coast of West Africa, Kariza Herbert (née Goncalves) grew up surrounded by family, culture, and resilience. She was one of eleven children and the oldest girl in her family, vibrant, curious, and full of life. Yet even as a young child, her mother…
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Defying Assumptions
If you only saw the book covers, the author photos, the polished captions online, you might assume my life unfolded in a straight line. You might think I always knew I’d be here—publishing novels, speaking about resilience, turning pain into prose. But my life didn’t begin with applause. It began in a snowstorm. I entered…
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Unbreakable Spirit: How Ishaunna Gully Empowers Others to Rise
Ishaunna Gully is a native of Laurel, MS, and a devoted mother to one son. She earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from William Carey University and is currently pursuing a master of public health degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. At the age of 20, Ishaunna Gully was paralyzed from the waist down…
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Introducing Michelle Colon: A Woman With Many Talents
Michelle Colon is a model, content creator, beauty enthusiast, and disabilityadvocate based in New York City. Proudly representing the intersection ofbeauty and disability, Michelle made her mark with her first beauty campaignalongside MAED, My Ceremonia, and La Voute. Her modeling career has since expanded to collaborations with majorbrands including Victoria’s Secret, PopSugar, Parade, and many…
