Every Body Blooms 2026

The Every Body Blooms fashion show was designed to celebrate self-expression, individuality, and creativity among people with disabilities. The show featured individuals with physical disabilities and mobility limitations as artists, models and collaborators.

The event featured four different “scenes” with looks including floral, streetwear, athleisure, and formal styles of clothes.

Daniel Grier was the Creative Director and Adaptive Stylist for the show. Show Assistant Grace Varney led a fantastic creative team of artists, tailors, stylists, volunteers and more to ensure the event was a success.

Each year the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD), hosts an annual art exhibit addressing and exploring the intersection of disability and society. NCHPAD was proud to welcome UAB Arts in Medicine as a co-sponsor for the 2026 event.

For the previous art events, visit the UAB CEDHARS website for past exhibits.

The event took place on April 2, 2026 at the Alys Stephens Center on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The event was free and open to the public and was enjoyed by a capacity crowd including overflow room spectators.

A prosthetic leg with a high heel shoe. Flowers are coming from the top of the prosthetic.

Event Photos and Videos

Visit the link below to check out our full gallery of photos. If you use these photos, please be sure to tag us on social media using the handle @NCHPAD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X (Twitter).

View the Full Gallery

Visit the link below to check out the video interviews with some of the models from the show and watch the recording of the event.

Check Out the Videos

Event Team

Daniel Grier | Creative Director and Adaptive Stylist

Daniel Grier is the Founder and Managing Partner of Magic City Fashion Week, a platform dedicated to elevating emerging designers and expanding the fashion ecosystem in Birmingham, Alabama. Since launching in 2017, he has led initiatives that merge fashion, education, and economic development, positioning Birmingham as a growing force in the Southern fashion landscape. An artist and designer for nearly 13 years and the creative force behind the fashion label, Splashed by DKG, Daniel is recognized for producing high-impact fashion showcases and cultivating platforms that amplify diverse talent while bridging art, community, and industry.

Grace Varney | Show Assistant

Grace Varney is a Fashion Creative and a woman in STEM, leading an all-female team of technologists. In 2024, her lifelong love of fashion led her to launch her own personal styling company, VISIBLE by G. Elizabeth. She earned her Image Architect certification from Law Roach’s School of Style, was mentored by celebrity stylist J. Bolin, and assisted legendary Birmingham stylist LaDonna Allen. Grace was featured in The Curvy Fashionista for her focus on plus-size styling. Her mission with VISIBLE is to bring confidence through clothes to all who seek it. For Grace, confidence is existing in your body without caveats or apologies – saying what you mean, wearing what you want, and taking up space LOUDLY.

Sherri Jackson | Host

Host of Every Body Blooms; Emmy Award-winning news anchor and journalist.

Speakers

Diamond Garrett

Diamond Garrett is a wheelchair dancer, disability advocate, speech therapist, author, and content creator who inspires others to live boldly and unapologetically. After surviving being shot nine times at 18 and becoming paralyzed from the waist down, she transformed her pain into purpose. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Communication Sciences and Speech Disorders, she now works as a speech therapist helping children build confidence in their communication. Through her large social media following, as well as her work as a model, dancer, speaker, and author of The Stage Is Hers, Diamond champions disability representation, resilience, and self-confidence, encouraging others to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their dreams.

Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn

Jessica Elaine Blinkhorn is an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary artist, educator, and disability activist whose work uses performance, drawing, and public intervention to challenge societal perceptions of the disabled body. A John Simon Guggenheim Fellow, she creates participatory work that centers visibility, empathy, and agency for disabled individuals while advocating for accessibility and representation, encouraging audiences to reconsider how bodies move, exist, and are valued in public space.

Joe Delagrave

Joe Delagrave is a two-time Paralympic medalist and respected leader in wheelchair rugby, with over 18 years on the USA National Team, including 8 as captain and now in his fifth season as head coach. His journey reflects resilience and determination, turning life’s challenges into opportunities and inspiring others to embrace their strength and competitive spirit.

As a keynote speaker, Joe shares his powerful message of “Push with Purpose”, helping leaders and organizations develop strategies for achieving their own growth in life and work. When he’s not coaching or speaking, Joe is a proud husband to April and father to Braxton, Brayden and Brynley.

Megan DeJarnett

Megan DeJarnett is an author, speaker, and creative entrepreneur dedicated to empowering families and advocating for greater visibility within the disability community. Born with a physical disability, she brings a lifetime of lived experience that fuels her passion for advocacy and representation. As a mother of three, she combines her personal perspective with her work as a writer, speaker, and creative leader to challenge perceptions and celebrate individuality, using her children’s books, public speaking, and creative initiatives to help families feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Noah Galloway

Noah Galloway is a U.S. Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, author, and motivational speaker from Birmingham, Alabama. While serving with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was severely wounded in an IED attack, resulting in the loss of his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee. After returning home, Noah rebuilt his life through fitness and resilience, becoming the first veteran and amputee featured on the cover of Men’s Health as the 2014 “Ultimate Guy,” and later gaining national attention as a finalist on Dancing with the Stars. Today, he travels the country sharing his story to inspire others to challenge their limits and redefine what is possible.