Accomplishments:

  • MDA Ambassador since 2017

  • Board Member of The Flying Pigs Foundation

  • Member of the Society of Health Communications

  • Staff Writer for Cripple Media

  • Young Adult Rare Representative (YARR)

  • Rare Action Network Member

  • Disability EmpowHer Network Member

    • EmpowHer Blog Writer

    • EmpowHer Social Media Committee

About Olivia Mae


My journey into communications and writing ignited in 2013 when I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. Writing about my experiences and perspectives helped me cope and understand the world and reality I was facing. My transformative experience at camp fueled my commitment to the disability community, leading me to volunteer and participate actively in local Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) events. Since 2020, she has proudly served as an MDA Ambassador and maintains a dedicated blog sharing my disability experiences.

In recent years, my family has collaborated with the non-profit The Flying Pigs Foundation, a top St. Louis MDA team, amplifying my advocacy for the disability community.

Facing the unique challenge of an unidentified neuromuscular disease within my family, my journey through college exposed me to unaddressed disability barriers.

As the former Vice President of the Mizzou Disability Coalition (MDC) from 2020 to 2023 and a member of the Chancellor's Committee for People with Disabilities, I helped spearhead campus improvements and championed accessibility. I have also contributed to the success of FestAbility, a non-profit, by expanding its Instagram reach through impactful disability awareness posts that showcase my proficiency in research and audience engagement.

After college, I joined various groups I could attend and used my journalism skills to raise awareness of disabilities.

I have recently become interested in digital accessibility. I have completed multiple certifications and continue learning more about making websites, social media, and marketing accessible for everyone.

As a young woman with a disability, I aspire to make a meaningful impact on the community and beyond, uniting the disability community through my writing and leveraging my exceptional communication and leadership skills. My ability to convey compelling narratives and lead initiatives will raise awareness and inspire positive change, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. The combination of my disability and my journalism and public health communication background, I truly hope to make a difference in our communities.