She walks a pageant stage, speaks to healthcare professionals and creates content online. The message is the same each time: you deserve to be seen exactly as you are.
ShayLee Raye is the reigning Miss Northern Utah 2026, an advocate, a speaker and a content creator. She lives with Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (CIPO) and Short Bowel Syndrome. She has an ostomy, and she depends on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for life. She has made all of it part of her platform, not something to hide.
Changing the narrative
ShayLee shares her journey to educate others, build body confidence and start honest conversations about invisible disabilities. Her goal is to change how people see disability, chronic illness and medical devices.
Accept Yourself
She’s the founder of Accept Yourself, a movement that encourages people to embrace themselves exactly as they are. It also brings more visibility and representation to the chronic illness and disability community.
On stage, online and in the room
ShayLee partners with healthcare organizations, nonprofits and brands to create meaningful content. She speaks at conferences and raises awareness for patient communities. Whether she’s on a pageant stage, in front of healthcare professionals or behind a camera, her aim doesn’t change: to help people feel seen, valued and confident in their own story.
Beyond the spotlight
Away from the stage, she volunteers, plans community events and reads a good book. She’s always looking for new ways to help others embrace life beyond their diagnosis.
Follow ShayLee: @miss_raye