Alyssa graduated from Boston University with a degree in liberal arts but without a name to call the illness with which she grew. By the time she was diagnosed with SLE, she was already an unofficial advocate for “otherness.” It came naturally to Alyssa, whose sister has autism; as a precocious child she felt it her duty to educate her peers and normalize disability.

 

Alyssa loves to paint, travel, cook, craft, read, and spend time on her yoga mat. She lives for the days she’s well enough to leave the house, but tries not to wish away the days in between. She really just wants everyone to feel good.

​

Alyssa has and continues to write for various publications, particularly regarding her own experiences as a woman disabled by chronic illness. She is available as a source as well as for personal essays and opinion editorial. She can be found on Disabled Writers. 

​