Meet Bailey Staff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Staff. 

Bailey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In March of 2021, after having multiple reconstructive knee surgeries for persistent joint pain, I was diagnosed with severe juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis that affects my whole body, in particular my back, hips, and knees. Shortly after my diagnosis, I started going through treatment, which soon provided an immense amount of relief. Receiving my diagnosis felt like a life sentence, and I’d never been so scared in my life. I felt like no one understood what I was going through, and that my entire life had changed in a matter of only a ten-minute conversation with my doctor. I had to start making dietary changes, such as going gluten and dairy-free, doing lightweight workouts, and having to attend an insane amount doctors’ appointments. I ended up asking my rheumatologist if she knew of any organizations in Michigan that provided support for young adults going through receiving an arthritis-related diagnosis, and she referred me to the Arthritis Foundation. I reached out to the director of the Michigan branch and had an amazing conversation after which she invited me to be a part of the Young Professional Board, where I’d get to work with other young adults going through similar situations as me. Of course, I quickly accepted. Shortly after our conversation, I had put a team together and raised about $500 for the Walk to Cure Arthritis Detroit, and currently, I’m leading a small group of women from Michigan in organizing fundraising events, charity campaigns, and educational opportunities for other young adults battling arthritis all around the state. In addition, I’ve taken to social media to raise awareness about arthritis, because after receiving my diagnosis, I realized how many people my age and even older there were who didn’t know anything about arthritis or how many people it can impact outside of just the elderly. I’ve done interviews, live videos, stories, and shared a plethora of posts and information to my page to educate my followers. I’ve made it my mission to provide not only an educational resource for those who might not know about arthritis but also a community based on love and unconditional support for the arthritis warriors fighting their invisible battles every day. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My road to my diagnosis was anything but easy. I had received my referral to a rheumatologist after having an abnormal blood test in early March of 2020, right before COVID hit. We had contacted multiple rheumatologists from all around the state, but no one seemed to want to take my case, as I was so young. I had eventually gotten my case accepted by the University of Michigan Metro Health Rheumatology, but the wait time was nearly 6 months. After COVID took over, it increased that wait time to a year. My initial rheumatology appointment wasn’t until February of 2021, nearly a year later. By the time I finally got all the tests done needed to diagnose my condition, I was working as a nationally signed fashion model and traveling nearly every weekend. I was on planes, in cars, constantly on the go, and constantly in pain. Being on my feet for hours in high heels, walking down long runways, and holding unusual poses in front of cameras only increased the amount of pain I was in, and at some points it became unbearable. I had to learn how to balance my health with my career, which was no easy accomplishment, as health is not particularly of importance in the modeling industry. 

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?
I work as a nationally signed fashion model between Michigan (iGroup & I Catch Management), New York (MMG NY), and Miami (Deco Models Miami). I also work as a chairwoman on the Young Professional Board with the Arthritis Foundation. In my free time, I compete in beauty pageants and have placed 2nd Runner Up for the past two years at Miss Michigan for America Strong. I’m currently a junior at Grand Valley State University where I’m majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations and would like to become a social media advisor or advertising consultant for a fashion company after graduating. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I currently live in Grand Rapids for college, which is beautiful in its own way because of not only the city, but because of how close we are to beaches such as Grand Haven, but my hometown is Traverse City, Michigan which has been named multiple times as one of the most beautiful beach towns in the U.S. We have a plethora of gorgeous national and state parks, countless beaches, lakes, and ponds, and one of our most famous attractions, the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. There’s so much to love about Traverse City, and I’m so proud to call it my home. 

Pricing:

• To book as model: $75/hour

Contact Info:

• Email: baileystaff.contact@gmail.com
• Website: https://baileyjstaff.foliohd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileyjstaff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bailey.staff.9/
• Other: Tik Tok: @baileyjstaff

Image Credits
Ricardo Thornton
Alexis Mast Brown
Augest Pictures
Rob Hall
Edwin Shaw