Once a Pediatric Patient, Now a Disability Rights Advocate

Breanna also enjoyed attending school at the hospital.

“I received one-on-one instruction. I would even say it was better than my actual schooling sometimes,” she said with a laugh. Breanna had homework every day, and although that might not sound like fun to most kids, she looked forward to it. The daily routine gave her a sense of normalcy and helped her stay on track academically.

After graduating from high school, Breanna attended the University of Houston Downtown, where she earned her undergraduate degree in social work. Today, she works with students with disabilities to help them gain accommodations in their classrooms. According to Breanna, it is a full-circle moment.

“I think my condition has given me purpose to help people in the same walk of life as me,” she said. “I’m naturally a helpful person. I think that’s why I gravitated towards this profession. To me, the most important thing is to advocate and educate others so that we have a place in the world.”

Breanna hopes to earn her master’s in social work and influence policies that support and protect people with disabilities. She has come a long way from her days as a patient at Shriners Children’s, but she credits those years with giving her the independence she has now.

“Shriners Children’s is a starting place, and it’s a gateway to all of what's possible,” Breanna said. “It holds so much promise. Shriners is home for a lot of people. It’s a place of belonging and what’s possible – and they’re breaking barriers.”