We recently connected with Shelly Baer and have shared our conversation below.

Shelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I was in my early 40’s, I posed semi-nude for a photography exhibit featuring disabled women. I have a visible disability that I got when I was three and often felt insecure, shy, and like I wanted to hide. I was uncomfortable with my body. I never thought in a million years I would do anything like that, but I was standing in a new place of self-acceptance. And I thought I’m noticed, people stare at me anyway, why not have them stare at a beautiful, large image in a gallery. The experience was life-altering and changed my life. By being a model for a day, my self-esteem shot up and I think I internalized a deeper sense of feeling beautiful. I desired to break up stereotypes about disability as many think people with disabilities don’t have sex, are asexual, don’t have children, or get married. I was on a mission and I wanted as many disabled women as possible to experience the transformation that I did. Due to having this experience, I began doing public speaking to medical schools and colleges to educate students about disability, dating, and sexuality. This was a huge risk as I was always so quiet and often felt uncomfortable speaking in large groups. No longer, I have come out of my shell. It even led to being selected to do a TEDxMiami talk called the Beauty of Disability. I was terrified and exhilarated at the same time. There were 500 people in the audience. The project that I was the co-creator of back in 2006 is now called the Bold Beauty Project. We have incorporated as a non-profit and are a replication model. The risk that I took when I said yes to being a model and getting involved in this project has transformed so many. It is my side passion project and I could not let it go. We have replicated Bold Beauty twice in Miami, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Texas, and Panama. We have over 100 disabled women models, photographers, and the audience that come out and see the exhibit be transformed and altered. Our impact is wide. Our tag line is disability becomes art becomes beauty becomes change. We like to say we’re using art as a tool to create social change.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a licensed clinical social worker and am employed at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s, Mailman Center for Child Development as the Director of Leadership Training Initiatives. I coordinate the centers pipeline leadership programs-The Emerging Transformational Leadership Program (ETLP), Project Self-Advocate Leadership Training (SALT), and Student Emerging Leaders Program (SELP).

At UM, I coordinate our pipeline leadership programs for the disability community. One called ETLP is for early to mid-level professionals, SALT is for adults with disabilities and our newest program is called SELP. It’s for high school students with and without disabilities.

I grew up in Miami and received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and master’s from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work in NY. I was part of Miami Fellows Initiative, a prestigious leadership program and through my participation in MFI, she published Access Miami, a comprehensive accessibility resource guide for the disabled. It has recently been revamped as a website.

I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age three, but it has never slowed me down. I push boundaries and don’t let my disability hold me back. When I served on the board of the Center for Independent Living I co-founded Uncensored Life: Raw Beauty, a photography exhibit that showcased the beauty, sensuality, and empowerment of disabled women. Due to the success of Raw Beauty, I created the Bold Beauty Project. It was incorporated as a non-profit in 2016. I am the Founder/Co-Director.

I am a sought-after speaker to colleges and medical schools where I open up dialogues and sheds light on the ins and outs of dating, relationships, and having sex with a disability. There are still many myths and stereotypes regarding people with disabilities and sexuality; I’m on a mission to break that up!

Find out more about Bold Beauty Project at www.boldbeautyproject.com

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Growing up with a visible disability is not easy but I have never given up. I’m creative, strong, and resilient. I take pride in that since I graduated with my master’s I have always been employed full-time. I’m grateful for my family and friends that have been there to support me and they always have my back. We all need each other and are interdependent. It’s important to cultivate your dream team.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Having good mentors and role models are so important for the key to success. I’m lucky to have had a few along the way that have supported and been there to guide me. The mentor or coach doesn’t have to be in your profession just someone you admire as a leader. It may not be a good idea to have it be your direct supervisor at your organization. You want fresh ideas and perspectives. Set up regular check-ins with them to bounce your ideas off a neutral party.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.boldbeautyproject.com
• Instagram: @boldBeautyproject
• Facebook: @BoldBeautyProject
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX1Job6O60E

Image Credits
Robert Zuckerman, Jeffery Salter, Starr Sariego, Alexandra Vivas