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E5 The Unstoppable Spirit of Ryann Kress

In this episode, we’re honoured to welcome Ryann Kress, Miss Wheelchair Virginia 2020 and 2021, a pioneering disability advocate, and an ER nurse based in San Diego, California. Originally from Virginia, Ryann was diagnosed with a disability when she was 16 years old. This abrupt life shift could have easily shattered her dreams, but for Ryann, it created an opportunity to embrace a new career path in nursing.

Despite the disbelief of others, Ryann refused to let her wheelchair define her. She chased her ambition to become an ER nurse and continued to defy societal expectations by stepping into the modelling industry. As Miss Wheelchair Virginia, Ryann leveraged her platform to campaign for disability rights, becoming a beacon of inspiration for many.

Ryann has cultivated a robust online presence with her Instagram platform, Chronically Ry, serving as a source of inspiration for many in the disability community. Her influence and advocacy have seen her featured in a variety of publications, including Forbes. Furthermore, Ryann co-starred in a documentary with Miss America 2020, Camille Shrier, marking another milestone in her awe-inspiring journey. Tune in to learn more about Ryann’s remarkable story.

Updates: Please note that our content is pre-recorded and there may currently be updates on our guests and some of the info shared in the episodes. Please check the updates in the episode notes as well as online news and our guests’ links for up-to-date info. – Please note that Ryann’s last name is now “Mason” following her marriage with her partner, with whom she now lives in San Diego, CA. Ryann currently works as an inpatient acute care nurse case manager for UC San Diego Medical Center and she is now part of the Infinite Flow Dance Company – a professional dance company based in LA that is made up of dancers with all types of disabilities. She continues to carry out her disability advocacy on the West Coast.

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