Buddy Cassidy is a graduate student, writer, and nationally recognized disability advocate living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has served as a voting patient representative at multiple FDA advisory committee hearings and was instrumental in the 2023 accelerated approval of Elevidys, the first gene therapy for DMD. In 2024, Buddy was invited to speak at JPIC Charlotte, where he shared his journey as a self-advocate fighting for legislative change, walking through every step from research to public testimony. He brings literary insight, lived experience, and policy expertise to his advocacy and was honored with the 2023 Change It Champion Award by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. Buddy is honored to be presenting at The Arc of Virginia State Convention.