Name: Shelby Wright
Basic info: I am originally from a small town in Southern Missouri called West Plains, but I recently moved to Columbia, Missouri for Graduate School at the University of Missouri. So my home is generally Missouri, but I’m a professional roamer, so locations are temporary and hard to explain.
My higher education started in 2015 and I earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) where I graduated in 2019. I took a year off from education and then I started law school at the University of Missouri in August of 2021. However, my father unexpectedly passed away three weeks before I began law school and the emotional pressure of the school was difficult at that time. So I dropped out during the first semester. In August of 2022, I officially began the Master’s in Journalism program at the University of Missouri (MU) and graduated in May of 2024. Recap: I have a bachelor’s degree from MSSU, and a Master’s from MU.
I am 28 years old.
Please share any updates since your last interview. I have a Master’s in Journalism and am considering pursuing a PhD in Journalism. I never thought about this education last time I talked to FARA. I was accepted to MU’s Law School and was intent on becoming a lawyer, but now I’m not sure what I’ll do. I’ve always loved writing, reading, and traveling so hopefully I pursue those loves wherever I go.
When did you start your career/field of education? I began working and writing in politics after graduating in 2019. The opportunities in writing that came from my education and love of politics is why I am drawn to journalism. Thus, I was inspired to get a Master’s in Journalism because of my previous work and education.
What made you choose this? It was on my bucket list to study journalism at the University of Missouri, but once I had a bachelor’s from a different school, I figured that dream would never be checked off. However, here I am and I did the thing. This path gave me opportunities in many different areas, but one is the opportunity to speak to many who write and create in the disabled community (including many in our FA community) to write my thesis about journalism and content creation for and about the disabled community.
Does FA impact this? Please share any adaptations you’ve made to be able to participate in your field. Obviously being disabled and having FA motivated my thesis topic. I have learned the perspective of life and how we navigate this world with a disability makes our stories more intriguing and necessary to be shared.
Do you have anything more to share or advice to give? I exercise with a personal trainer three days a week. It keeps me as strong and healthy as possible. I travel often and frequent thrift stores and coffee shops. Staying hydrated and rested is a must for healthy living in general but it is especially needed if you have FA.
Interview by
Noah Griffith