About me
I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare neuromuscular disease, at a young age, and was given nine years to live. Now, at 26 years old, I’ve surpassed all expectations, and am dedicated to disability justice.
I’m a storyteller at heart, with a love of all things fairytale. Currently, I am revising THE SAINT AND THE SPIDER, an adult space fantasy with #OwnVoices disability representation. My writing has been published in a variety of literary magazines and anthologies.
I freelance as an editor, sensitivity reader, and Notion consultant. I have degrees in psychology and community care, and am always thinking about the intersection of disability and mental health.
I live in snowy Minnesota with my parents and the cat of my heart, Rey. If I’m not writing, I’m probably cultivating whimsy, analyzing media, or indulging my imagination through ritual and art.
Experience
✧ SMA My Way
2019 - Present
A collaboration to support all people impacted by spinal muscular atrophy. As a patient ambassador, I work with Genentech employees to curate written and audio-visual content.
✧ BioNews
2017 - Present
A health, science, and research publication company serving patients with rare diseases. I have worked as a patient columnist, column lead, forums moderator, and copy editor.
Education
✧ Indiana Wesleyan University
2018 - 2020
Master of Arts (M.A.), Community Care
✧ University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2015 - 2017
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology
Contact
@briehalbers
You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Spotify.
briannahopealbers@gmail.com
If you’d like to work together, please shoot me an email.