National Leadership Program, Fall 2017
Julia Wood was a Communications Fellow in RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program. She used her communication and social media skills to change the public’s perspective of people with disabilities.
Wood was a senior at Emerson College where she was pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. She also was minoring in political science and history. She is passionate about telling other peoples’ stories and feels privileged that she has been given the opportunity to do so.
At birth, Wood’s youngest sister, Melissa, was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease, a metabolic disorder, and then nine years later with Leukemia. Wood always acted as an advocate for her younger sister, which is what drove her to pursue her interests in disability rights and education reform.
Additionally, Wood also has volunteered her time with Buddy Ball, an organization that aids children with disabilities in playing baseball. Previously, she was a communications intern with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, where she aided in the wish-granting process of children with special needs. She helped grant numerous wishes, the most memorable was helping to give a young boy his very own at home aquarium.
Wood graduated from Emerson College in the spring of 2018 and hopes to someday work for the communications department of a nonprofit that focuses on education reform and disability rights.
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RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. Learn more about the National Leadership Program and apply for the next cohort! Contact BenS@RespectAbility.org for more information.