Her passion for inclusivity has always been evident. She became a Variety KC advocate at the age of four. Born with congenital muscular dystrophy, she was operating a power wheelchair at the age of 18 months. Olivia Bloomfield was a bright, determined, vocal, spirited force for good in advocating for accessibility and inclusivity for everyone, not just herself. Always inquisitive and determined to learn, she displayed incredible skills in school, while making people laugh and extending kindness to everyone she met. These qualities alone, in an elementary school child are extraordinary. But, Olivia Bloomfield (also lovingly known as “O”) defined the word extraordinary!
Fitting, indeed, that the just-released book, Extraordinary O Finds Her Superpower is titled as it is. This gorgeous, colorful, and inspiring children’s book is a testament to Olivia, as much as it is a guide to anyone – young or old – who wants to make a difference in the world. The book is co-written by Olivia’s mom, Sara Bloomfield, and her third and fourth grade teacher, Amy Sachse. The charming illustrations are by Lena Bardy, and the entire package is an instrument of Olivia continuing to teach us all. This lovely story walks us through O’s struggles and triumphs with love and affection, while we remember Olivia, who sadly passed away at the age of 10.
When asked to meet up at a local park by her young friends, Olivia and her parents found that the material used in constructing the playground was not conducive to her power wheelchair (lovingly known as Pinkie). This set Olivia on a path to lobby for more equitable material (smooth rubber as opposed to wood chips) to be used on the ground for play areas. This advocacy led her to a partnership with Variety KC, and together they managed to garner support to make Leawood City Park more accessible.
Her work didn’t stop there. Her grandparents helped her advocate for an inclusive park in Salina, Kansas. And, ultimately, she was able to make change happen in her home school of Corinth Elementary, and eventually the entire Shawnee Mission School District. No small feat for a fourth-grader! Olivia wasn’t content with simply addressing her own needs, she had just as much heart and work ethic for others’ needs. She advocated for Braille, noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, and sunglasses for children with special needs in the broader community.
Extraordinary O Finds Her Superpower challenges all of us to have awareness and care for those among us whose voices might not be as powerful as Olivia’s. It also coaches us in finding our own powers in advocating for what is best for ourselves and others. And, it’s all wrapped up in a warm, pink package that reminds us how lucky we are to have had Olivia in our midst. It’s an endearing read for all ages.
All proceeds from the book benefit the Olivia Bloomfield Foundation, which continues Olivia’s legacy by driving accessibility, inclusion, and supporting groundbreaking research. Published by Magical Planet Publishing, a service mark of Satiama LLC, the book is available for purchase at The Independent, or online at amazon.com. For more information, visit oliviabloomfieldfoundation.org.
Featured in the August 9, 2025 issue of The Independent
By: Anne Potter Russ
