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Class of 2017
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish and German

Madeline Delp ’17 loves a good adventure. A self-described adrenaline junky, she’s traveled across the country and around the world, been surfing and skydiving, and performed in front of large crowds. Now she’s on to a new adventure—founding her own nonprofit, Live Boundless, which serves to educate and assist those who, like her, use a wheelchair.

Live Boundless has already held its first fundraiser and launched the intro to a video series of the same name. The Live Boundless video series, which Delp began filming with Productions in a Box in Wilmington, N.C., kicks off with an episode on adaptive surfing. Other videos will include episodes on health, such as how to exercise in a wheelchair, episodes on traveling abroad and accessible cities, and inspirational talks.

As the Live Boundless organization grows, Delp hopes to take on some larger projects.

“Removing barriers for those with disabilities on a legislative scale is extremely important for our team,” Delp said, “and we will begin working within our national structure to help enforce the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), advocate to maintain and enhance social health resources, and implement new standards of full accessibility, from helping to create more accessible playgrounds, to greater integration of those who are differently-abled into the workforce.”

Delp, who has experienced accessibility issues in various countries during her travels, hopes to eventually make that effort international, as well. She’s also planning on using her double major in Spanish and German to begin translating the Live Boundless series, and she hopes to work on providing medical equipment and resources in third-world and developing countries.

Delp’s advocacy began with a run for Miss Wheelchair America in 2016, in which she was named runner-up, and has continued through her most recent run and crowning as Ms. Wheelchair USA 2017—a role that keeps her busy, traveling the country and speaking with legislators, at conferences, and other events aimed at improving the lives of those living with disabilities. For Delp, it’s a dream come true.

“Now after pushing through several very difficult situations over the past few years, I am finally getting to see my dreams become a reality,” Delp said.