Emily Owen: Turning Silence into Strength
The Inspirational Journey of a British Author, Speaker, and NF2 Advocate
Introduction
Emily Owen is a remarkable British author, speaker, and advocate whose life story inspires thousands around the world. Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) at just 16, she faced a series of life-altering challenges, including the complete loss of her hearing by the age of 21. Yet instead of allowing these hardships to define her, Emily transformed them into a powerful message of resilience, hope, and faith.
Through her bestselling memoir Still Emily and a wide range of Christian devotional books, Emily has become a beacon of light for those navigating disability, identity crises, or personal loss. Her words, though written in silence, speak volumes. Today, she is celebrated not just for overcoming adversity, but for using her journey to uplift and guide others—reminding us all that strength often grows in the most unexpected places.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emily Owen |
| Year of Birth | 1979 |
| Nationality | British |
| Birthplace | Leicester, England |
| Condition | Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) |
| Profession | Author, Public Speaker, NF2 Advocate |
| Known For | Still Emily, 30 Days series, NF2 Awareness |
| Religion | Christian |
| Languages | English (British accent) |
| Award | ACW Outstanding Contribution, 2018 |
Emily Owen was born in 1979 and raised in Leicester, England. Growing up in a Christian family, she enjoyed a vibrant childhood marked by academic excellence, musical talent, and athleticism. She played instruments such as the piano and flute, sang in choirs, and participated in sports like cross-country running. Emily’s early life reflected promise and joy.
At the age of 16, Emily’s life took an unexpected turn. She was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow along the nerves. Despite having no family history of the disease, she began to experience the harsh effects of NF2, including progressive hearing loss and balance issues. This diagnosis would become the catalyst for her life’s mission and spiritual journey.
Losing Sound, Gaining Purpose
By age 21, Emily had completely lost her hearing due to surgeries that removed acoustic neuromas, one of the key features of NF2. The silence she encountered was more than auditory—it reached into her sense of identity and belonging. Emily describes this transition not just as the loss of sound, but of a whole lifestyle. She had to relearn how to interact, connect, and exist in a world that didn’t always understand deafness.
However, rather than retreat from life, Emily channeled her challenges into a deeper faith and a purposeful path. Her story began to shift from tragedy to triumph, and she realized that even in silence, there could be a voice—her own. This led to the creation of her most celebrated work, Still Emily, and a series of devotionals and children’s books that empower and uplift.
Authorship and Christian Devotionals
Emily Owen became a prolific author after her diagnosis, writing with compassion, clarity, and conviction. Her memoir, Still Emily, paints a raw yet hopeful picture of living with NF2. The book is widely recognized for its honesty and emotional depth, chronicling her physical and spiritual transformation.
In addition to her memoir, Emily has authored several Christian devotionals, including 30 Days with Mary, 30 Days with Ruth, and The Power of Seven. These books blend Biblical reflection with personal insight, offering readers comfort, challenge, and courage. Her writing is accessible, deeply human, and grounded in lived experience, making her a trusted voice in Christian circles.
Public Speaking and Advocacy for NF2 Awareness
Emily is not only a writer but also a passionate public speaker. She delivers school assemblies, church talks, and conference keynotes that focus on disability awareness, communication, faith, and identity. Despite being deaf, Emily communicates with clarity and resonance, proving that voice is not confined to sound alone.
From 2012 to 2024, Emily served as a trustee at Nerve Tumours UK, where she actively promoted awareness for NF2 and supported families dealing with similar diagnoses. Her advocacy work includes participating in World NF2 Day events, creating educational content, and mentoring others through their medical journeys. She brings a unique blend of medical insight, personal reflection, and faith-driven resilience.
Achievements and Recognition
Emily Owen has received numerous accolades for her writing and speaking, most notably the Association of Christian Writers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Christian Publishing in 2018. This award recognized her significant influence within the faith-based literary community and her unwavering commitment to honest storytelling.
Her books are now part of church libraries, school reading programs, and disability advocacy groups. Emily continues to write, speak, and share, even as her health evolves. Her mission remains clear: to inspire others to embrace hope, purpose, and faith even when life takes unexpected turns.
Life Lessons and Personal Philosophy
Emily’s story offers powerful lessons about how identity and strength are formed in adversity. She often speaks about how her disability, rather than limiting her, became a means to understand her true worth. Her Christian faith plays a central role in this transformation, and her life message emphasizes that being broken doesn’t mean being useless—it can mean being beautifully reshaped.
She invites people to see differently: to look for the “rainbows in the silence,” as her memoir suggests. Her outlook on life challenges perceptions of disability, advocating not just for inclusion but for celebration of diversity in ability and experience.
Recent Updates and Ongoing Projects
Emily remains actively engaged in Christian and advocacy circles. She continues to publish blog entries, devotionals, and articles on platforms dedicated to rare conditions and disability inclusion. In 2025, she helped promote Disability Awareness Sunday, offering reflections and resources for churches seeking to become more accessible and empathetic.
Her website and social presence share regular updates about her ongoing projects, events, and reflections. Despite physical limitations, Emily travels when possible, connecting with schools, churches, and organizations both in-person and virtually.
Conclusion
Emily Owen’s journey is one of profound transformation—from a teenage girl faced with a daunting diagnosis to a globally respected writer and speaker who touches hearts with every word. Her voice, though silent in sound, resounds in meaning. Through books, speeches, and advocacy, Emily continues to show that courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of hope in the face of it.
Whether you are navigating illness, searching for purpose, or exploring faith, Emily’s story reminds us that even in silence, one can find strength—and even in suffering, one can discover joy.
✅ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What condition does Emily Owen have?
Emily Owen lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumors to form on nerves, often leading to hearing loss and mobility issues.
Q2: What is Emily Owen’s most famous book?
Her most well-known book is Still Emily, a memoir that chronicles her personal and spiritual journey with NF2.
Q3: Is Emily Owen completely deaf?
Yes, Emily lost her hearing completely by age 21 due to NF2-related surgeries. She communicates using lip reading, writing, and assistive technology.
Q4: What does Emily Owen write about?
She writes Christian devotionals, children’s books, and personal reflections on faith, identity, and resilience.
Q5: How can I follow Emily Owen’s work?
Emily continues to share updates and reflections through her public speaking events and writing. Her books are widely available, and she regularly participates in disability awareness campaigns and Christian events.
