Jillian Mercado Wows Crowd of 200 at National Speaker Event

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Actress, model and disability advocate Jillian Mercado shared a stirring message of challenging barriers, opening doors and belonging with a crowd of 200 at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s annual National Speaker Event.

The inspiring event took place June 4 on Good Shepherd’s South Allentown Campus, 850 S. 5th St.

Diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy as a child, Jillian has become a prominent figure in the fashion world, challenging beauty ideals and redefining traditional norms in the fashion industry. As one of America’s first professional models with a physical disability, Jillian has appeared in campaigns for brands such as Olay, Nordstrom, Target and Beyoncé. She also appeared on Times Square billboards and starred in a hit Showtime TV series (The L Word: Generation Q).

In her keynote, Jillian shared how challenging the journey has been along the way, but also how proud she is to be “alive, thriving and refusing to settle for anyone else’s limited expectations.”

“If you live with a disability: Keep showing up. Loudly. Boldly. And without apology. You are not here to shrink. You’re here to take up space and shift the atmosphere,” Jillian said. “If you’re an ally: Start where you are. Speak up when you see inaccessibility. Make room at your tables — your literal tables, your boardroom tables, your dinner tables. And listen — truly listen — when someone tells you what they need.”

WFMZ-TV anchor and reporter Melanie Falcon served as the event’s guest emcee and hosted an audience Q&A session with Jillian. Isaiah Natale, an aspiring motivational speaker and long-term care resident at Good Shepherd Home – Raker Center, introduced Jillian.

This is the third straight year Good Shepherd has hosted a keynote speaker for the community. Chris Norton appeared in 2024. In 2023, Zion Clark spoke.

About Good Shepherd Rehabilitation

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, an independent, not-for-profit rehabilitation network with more than 60 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is committed to transforming the lives of people of all ages and abilities through curiosity, creativity, expertise and innovation. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd specializes in treatment of spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, major multi-trauma, pulmonary disease, respiratory failure, musculoskeletal/orthopedics and complex pediatric conditions. Good Shepherd also partners with Penn Medicine to provide rehabilitation and specialty services in the greater Philadelphia area and New Jersey through GSPP Rehabilitation.