San Francisco lost a profound voice in disability justice this week with the passing of Alice Wong, a groundbreaking activist, writer, and MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient who transformed how society views disability and representation.

Born with muscular dystrophy, Wong defied medical expectations that she wouldn’t live past 18, instead becoming a powerful advocate who challenged systemic ableism throughout her life. Growing up as the only disabled and Asian American student in her Midwestern schools, she learned early to advocate fiercely for herself and others.

Wong’s journey in San Francisco began in 1997 when she arrived to pursue a master’s degree in medical sociology at UCSF. Even then, her path was marked by obstacles, with the university initially lacking accessible housing and forcing her to live in a professor’s garage. These experiences fueled her commitment to disability justice.

In 2014, she founded the Disability Visibility Project, a transformative storytelling platform amplifying disabled voices and culture. Her work extended beyond local activism, including an appointment to the National Council on Disability under President Obama and making history as the first person to attend a White House event via a telepresence robot.

Her 2022 memoir, “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life,” became a critical success, further cementing her legacy as a writer who could articulate the complex experiences of disabled individuals with nuance and power. Wong consistently pushed boundaries, whether through her writing, public speaking, or collaborative art projects like “Disabled Rage”.

Friends and fellow activists remember Wong not just for her professional accomplishments, but for her fierce spirit and transformative vision. As she herself wrote, “We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment”.

Alice Wong’s legacy is a testament to the power of visibility, storytelling, and unapologetic self-advocacy. Her life reminds us that disability is not a limitation, but a unique lens through which to understand human experience.