Finding her voice: CHDD staff member wins Georgia Author of the Year Award

After navigating both physical and mental challenges while living with an unseen disability, Whitney Paige Ostrander transformed her experiences into an award-winning book that earned the Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award. Whitney Paige serves as a staff member with the Center on Human Development and Disability.

When Whitney Paige joined the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) in 2018, she was navigating her own journey with an unseen disability while supporting the center's mission of advocating for people with disabilities. Through that work, she gradually found the courage to advocate for herself and realized the power of sharing her own story with others facing similar challenges.

“I wrote the book I wish I'd had when I was deep in the pit," she said. "At the time, I truly believed I was the only person experiencing that level of torment, and I longed to hear from someone who understood what I was going through. My goal was simple: if the book helped even one person feel less alone, it would be worth it. Sharing my story became a way to offer hope to others while giving purpose to my own pain."

Through her work at CHDD, her confidence continued to grow as she advocated alongside individuals with disabilities and their families. Her own experiences gave her a unique understanding of the challenges, barriers and victories many people face.

“It's often easier for me to encourage someone else to speak up than to do it myself, but helping others gave me the confidence to use my own voice too," she said. "My confidence was built over time and I realized that asking for what you need isn't a weakness – it’s a strength."

As her confidence grew, Whitney Paige became increasingly open about her disability and began writing about her experiences.

“The more open I became, the more I realized that vulnerability has the power to help people feel seen, understood and less alone," she said. "At the heart of everything I do is a desire to serve others, and I have discovered that one of the ways I am called to do that is by sharing my story."

Those experiences ultimately became the foundation for her book, By His Stripes: Navigating Life with Mental and Physical Suffering, which was published in June 2025. She recently received the Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award in the nonfiction/self-help category for her work.

"I was in complete shock. I read the email at least a thousand times because I couldn't believe it," she said. "What excited me most wasn't the recognition itself—it was knowing this award would help my book reach more readers. The more people it reaches, the more opportunities there are for someone to feel seen, understood and a little less alone."

As reviews and messages from readers poured in, Whitney Paige saw firsthand the impact her story was having. Hearing from readers who felt seen and understood reinforced that sharing her journey had been worthwhile.

She said she hopes her book reminds readers facing their own unseen struggles that they are not alone and that vulnerability can become a source of strength and connection.

"I hope readers leave with a renewed sense of hope and the confidence that they, too, can do hard things—even when the path ahead seems impossible," she said. "I also want readers to feel equipped with practical tools and support, which is why I have included a collection of additional resources they can turn to whenever they need guidance. Above all, I hope every reader walks away feeling seen, valued and worthy."

To learn more about By His Stripes or to purchase a copy, visit whitneypageco.com/author.