Jessica Frew, a model, actress, and disability advocate, was born with cerebral palsy and has been using an eye gaze application to communicate since the age of 9. She has modeled for NYFW through “Runway of Dreams” and has acted in “Surviving the Cartel.” She also has an executive interview series, “The Jesse Show,” where she hopes to raise awareness and open opportunities for other nonverbal models and actors with communication devices. She continues her advocacy through social media, publications such as “AwareNow,” and her coming-soon new book.

You have a new book coming out. Tell us the book’s name and what it is about?
I have a children’s book coming out, which is called “The Nonverbal Princesses,” which is about a princess with Cerebral Palsy who communicates with a special computer because she is nonverbal. At the story’s beginning, she has no confidence in herself because the kingdom thinks she doesn’t have a mind and doesn’t think she is good enough to run the kingdom. Then, The king (her father) dies. So now the princess is brokenhearted, but her time is running out to claim the crown. So, she needs to make a huge choice within herself. Ultimately, she finds confidence and reunites her kingdom as an equal one and for all.

Why did you want to write a book?
I wanted to write a children’s book because people have treated me differently since I was young and thought I wouldn’t know anything because I was nonverbal. Hence, people used to say mean stuff before me without realizing I could understand everything they were saying, making me feel worthless. I didn’t even have the confidence to communicate with my computer in public or with my family; I just used it for schoolwork Until I found the confidence in myself. I want to teach children worldwide that people with disabilities or differences who look or act differently are humans with emotions too.

**Left:**
Dress and Jacket by THE BLONDS
Necklace by Laruicci
**Right:**
Dress by Haleia at The Confessional Showroom

What was the process of writing the book like?
I found the process easy to write a children’s book because, unlike a regular book, children’s books are normally short. With that said, you don’t need to write an outline or multiple drafts as required for a regular book. You can write your full story idea and edit as you go along or after.

When is the release date of your book?
It is coming out in the late fall, but the official release date is unclear at the moment.

Last year, you mentioned you were starting your talk show, “The Jesse Show.” Can you tell us more about this interview series?
“The Jesse Show” is an executive interview series, I have conversations with professionals in the entertainment and fashion industries whom I love. These interviews will raise awareness. I’ll open opportunities for other nonverbal models and actors with communication devices and for all who haven’t been given the chance they deserve to be seen and heard. Unfortunately, the show has been on hold due to school and everything else I am doing now, but hopefully, soon, I can start the show back up once everything calms down.

**Left:**
Shirt + Pants by Dorothee Schumacher
**Right:**
Dress and Jacket by THE BLONDS
Necklace by Laruicci

What was one of the most memorable interview moments from “The Jesse Show?”
One of the most memorable interview moments from “The Jesse Show” was interviewing an actor with Cerebral Palsy, who is the founder of an acting school for performers with disabilities. He said he has been in the entertainment for many years and never booked an acting role, but he never gave up. It is not about if you are successful in this industry; it is about not giving up and making a difference along the way.

How was your experience working with “Runway of Dreams” in NYFW?
It was a dream come and a feeling I can’t describe. It was like I finally seen and heard for whom I’m when I was on the runway. It was the happiest feeling in my life. “Runway of Dreams” and the CEO Mindy Scheier gave me the confidence in myself to have a voice in the public, and she made me into a strong, confident woman who I am today.

What do you enjoy most about modeling?
I enjoy most is the fact that I’m making a difference and opening doors for diversity in the industry.

**Left:**
Jacket + Top + Skirt all by Videmus Omnia
Right:
Pants by Dorothee Schumacher

What was it like acting in “Surviving the Cartel?”
It was my first, official acting role in a TV series or anything really, so I was nervous at first, but the character came naturally out of me and I really loved every single second of it.

What is your dream role you would like to take up in the future?
A lead role in any production and a character who is unstoppable through the challenges they face in life because people automatically generalize all disabled nonverbal people to have a server cognitive neurological disability. In other words they think we are just looking into space, don’t understand everything, which in some cases that might true, but every disabled nonverbal is different so we need educate our audience on the camera, don’t judge a book automatically by its cover, just do go to talk to that nonverbal person and look into their eyes to see if you get any reaction.

How do you prepare for an acting role?
Actually, it’s easy for me to prepare for acting roles because I just need to preprogram my lines to my computer and just be myself.

Dress by Haleia at The Confessional Showroom

What advice would you give a nonverbal person with a communication device who wants to start working in the entertainment industry?
It would definitely not be easy, and sometimes you might want to give up but remember one thing, we were not put on earth to give up when life throws challenges. Don’t say to yourself you can’t do it because we all can anything if you truly put our minds to it. Just look at me.

Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is the millions of individuals with disabilities who don’t have a voice in society

You have acted, modeled, hosted a talk show, and now have a new book coming out. Is there anything else that you want to do/explore?
Yes, I have been co-writing on a few features and series, which my writing partner ad I am currently pitching.

Where do you hope to see yourself in the next five years?
I hope to refill my purpose, which is to get my voice heard around the world as an advocate to help make a difference for people with disabilities, show people how to love themselves or their disability, to fight for their right to give them a voice for equality throughout the world, especially in the modeling/entertainment industry.

Social Media.
Instagram: @jess_eilz_frew
Facebook: @Jessica.frew.31

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Talent: Jessica Frew
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair & Makeup: Eric Vosburg
Photo Assistant: Felicia Abban
Assistant Stylist: Sienna Ropert
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview Questions By Mariana Apostolatos, PhotoBook Magazine