Rising Stars: Meet Daniella Medina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniella Medina.

Hi Daniella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I gained a platform while fighting for my life from (what I was recently diagnosed with) a rare lethal vascular disorder called Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I’m physically disabled from it as well and use mobility aids.

When my health is stable I found myself fighting to thrive in an inaccessible world, a world that keeps disabled people from getting careers and living independently. I decided to work alongside my disability instead of against it.

I became a disabled model and with my platform as a disabled creative, I review the accessibility of local Arizona businesses and what it’s like to travel as a disabled person. As well as managing the social media of Arizona businesses that work with disabled individuals. Even more recently I have started working on bringing awareness to how inaccessible the wedding industry is.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It was nothing but an obstacle when I first started trying to make a business out of my life. It still is. Some obstacles would be clients not hiring me because of how often I am not able to work. Or losing opportunities because I was unable to attend an interview, or meet requirements on time.

I typically have doctor’s appointments once a week, and my health fluctuates significantly on a day-to-day basis.

However, I do my best to prepare things for myself and my clients in case I can’t meet deadlines or am not available for work.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My brand is many things. I’m creating for myself as I document my limited days while spreading disability awareness. I’m an accessibility liaison, giving accessible information to others in the community. I work with Arizona businesses that value disabled individuals as employees and run their social media/marketing.

I would say that what I do isn’t for myself because I honestly don’t make much profit. It’s just enough to pay my rent haha. It’s something I’m able to leave behind when I’m gone. That I made an impact on my local community and my disabled community while bringing awareness to this rare disease. I’d say I’m extremely proud of that.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Vulnerability. No filter on how hard things can be or how beautiful they can turn out if you try. People that have followed my journey and worked with me along the way always say that my vulnerability is what drew them in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/daniellescats
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.dani.adventure
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@daniellescats

Image Credits
Theresa Bowman