Gravity Commons Podcast Will Harrison Jr.: Disability Justice and Advocacy
Sep 16, 2025
Will Harrison Jr. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker living with Moebius Syndrome, who shares his journey navigating faith and disability. He reflects on his Southern Baptist upbringing and the disconnect he faced in ministry roles due to his condition. Discussing his shift from church work to social work, Will emphasizes the vital role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fostering community understanding. Additionally, he highlights how relationships with diverse groups have transformed his perspectives and faith.
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Living With Moebius Syndrome
- Will Harrison Jr. describes living with Moebius Syndrome, a rare condition that prevents facial expression and affects speech, hearing, and vision.
- He emphasizes the variability of the condition and how it shaped his early life and interactions.
Rejected From Youth Ministry
- Will recounts applying for youth-ministry positions and being told he wouldn't be hired because people 'couldn't understand' him.
- Those rejections led to depression and exposed cracks in the church's treatment of disability.
Turning Point Toward Social Work
- After years in custodial work, Will's daughter's medical crisis motivated him to pursue social work at age 37.
- A friend's suggestion pushed him to apply for grad school and become a licensed clinical social worker.