When Jessica Fabus Cheng first stepped into an operating room as a certified surgical technologist and later as a registered nurse, she believed her purpose was to advocate for patients who could not speak for themselves. Then came a rare thyroid-cancer diagnosis, two vocal-cord surgeries, and the terrifying warning that she might never speak again. Today, Jessica is very much heard—as Mrs. DC International 2025, a former Team USA Taekwondo athlete, the host of the podcast “All the Best with Jess,” and the founder of the Turnkey Accessibility program that helps brands build truly inclusive digital experiences.Medium 

“I decided then and there this is not going to break me,” she told Govindh on Paper Napkin Wisdom. “If there’s a way to get my voice back, I’m going to make that happen.” That grit, aimed through the lens of her napkin sketch—an arrow pointing from greatest challenge to highest calling—now powers every keynote, workshop, and accessibility audit she delivers. Her story is as much about regaining sound as it is about amplifying meaning. My Site 2 

Rising from 20 Percent Voice to 100 Percent Impact 

Three years after surgery, Jessica says she operates at “about 80 percent vocal function,” but what you hear on stage is “pure projection”—a learned discipline that forces her to slow down, speak with intention, and conserve energy for the moments that matter most. The practice mirrors her martial-arts background: relentless repetition, mental resilience, and a commitment to show up, even when every muscle (or vocal fold) aches. 

“Even with all the intentionality in the world, you still have to reflect and slow down,” she shared. “Being present is challenging, but it’s the only way to turn adversity into action.” 

Why Accessibility Is a Growth Strategy—Not a Checkbox 

Jessica’s Accessibility in Action platform reframes inclusion as a competitive advantage. When content is accessible—captioned videos, alt-text images, screen-reader-friendly layouts—organizations don’t just expand their audience; they deepen trust and loyalty among the one billion people worldwide living with disabilities. For entrepreneurs and leaders, that’s a market imperative, not a nice-to-have. 

5 Key Takeaways (with Immediate Actions) 

1. Turn Your Greatest Challenge into Your Highest Calling Quote: “This was a gut punch … but also a call to action.” Take Action: List the single obstacle keeping you up at night. Brainstorm three ways that very obstacle could become your differentiator or signature story—and share one of them with your team by Friday. 

2. Communicate with Radical Intentionality Jessica rebuilds every sentence on purpose, conserving vocal energy for impact. Take Action: Before your next meeting, jot down the one message you must land. Say it first; eliminate filler; then invite questions. 

3. Train Resilience Like a Martial Art Taekwondo taught her that progress demands disciplined practice. Take Action: Pick one “hard-easy” habit (e.g., a daily cold outreach, five minutes of journaling) and commit to 30 consecutive days. Track wins visibly. 

4. Make Accessibility a Core KPI Inclusion isn’t compliance—it’s brand leadership. Take Action: Audit your homepage with a free accessibility checker. Set a 60-day goal to resolve the top three issues and publish the results. 

5. Amplify Voices That Aren’t in the Room Jessica’s platform highlights stories we rarely hear. Take Action: Allocate one agenda slot per month for a frontline employee, customer, or community member to share their perspective with leadership. 

Ready to Share Your Napkin? 

Jessica’s journey is proof that the scar in your story can become the curve in your growth graph. What challenge of yours is quietly asking to become a calling? Grab a napkin, write it down, snap a photo, and tag #PaperNapkinWisdom—because wisdom doesn’t grow in silence; it grows when voices rise. 

 

Connect with Jessica Fabus Cheng 

• Website: jessicafabuscheng.com 

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-fabus-cheng-rn-cst-9451a755