Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg.
Hi Nadia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Writing has been my lifeline since I was a teenager. Born with cerebral palsy to Middle Eastern immigrant parents, I watched them tackle challenges with an unwieldy amount of grit and determination. Putting pen to paper became the primary way I processed the daily realities of living with a physical disability. I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in English, followed by master’s degrees in journalism and social work.
A pivotal moment occurred at age thirty during an internship in Washington, D.C.. Meeting disabled professionals holding key roles and living independently completely shifted my mindset about what was possible for my own future. For two decades, I worked in disability policy at the federal level, developing policies and delivering assistance to help state and local policymakers implement inclusive practices. Now, I write, speak, and consult to help faith communities build cultures of genuine belonging. My debut book, Divinely Disabled: A 30-Day Devotional to Discovering God’s Heart for the Disability Community, releases with Ink & Willow, an imprint of Penguin Random House, on September 15, 2026.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. As a child, I formed a hypothesis that my disability would magically disappear by age thirteen. When I reached that milestone and nothing changed, I sank into a deep depression, wrestling with the reality of needing physical assistance for the rest of my life.
Professionally, like many people with disabilities, I faced early hurdles with workplace accessibility and accommodations; misconceptions and discrimination related to my disability; and the challenges of balancing income and the cost of living with a disability.
Spiritually, I navigated a jarring disconnect within the modern church. During the week, I was a respected federal policy advisor shaping national initiatives; on Sundays, I was sometimes viewed as someone to be pitied or fixed. Instead of walking away from the church, I poured back into local congregations by leading Bible studies and serving on counseling teams, finding profound rest in God’s sovereignty.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are at a critical inflection point where the cultural conversation around disability has completely outpaced–in many respects–the church’s practical response. I bridge this divide because I speak the language of disability, policy, and civil rights as fluently as the language of the American church.
I would like to see the church move beyond that charity-based model and recognize people with disabilities as essential members.
This is especially urgent right now. If you look back through history, faith communities were the ultimate safety net—they were often the ones to start hospitals and orphanages. Today, however, data is more frequently collected on a congregation’s political ideology rather than its care for the vulnerable. We are looking at a church that seems to have lost its way. At the same time, the federal safety net is being pulled back, meaning local congregations hold the opportunity to play a much larger, more active role in caring for the underserved. Research shows that a majority of pastors face a lack of practical knowledge, and resources to meet this need.
In the United States, more than 70 million Americans—or 1 in 4 people—live with a disability. My upcoming book, Divinely Disabled, is specifically designed to reach individuals with disabilities. But it is also meant for loved ones, caregivers, pastors, and church leaders. Ultimately, my hope is that it sparks greater conversation around disability and faith, because neither is not a road that we walk alone. A disability isn’t a detour from purpose; it is the path.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The hardship, pain, or uncertainty we may face is not the end of our story. Each of our lives has value and meaning that stretches into eternity.
Pricing:
- Divinely Disabled: A 30-Day Devotional to Discovering God‘s Heart For The Disability Community is available wherever your favorite books are sold. $15.99.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divinelydisabled.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinelydisabled
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nadia.Ibrahim.mossburg
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiaimossburg
- Other: https://divinelydisabled.substack.com
