Jewel Kats was born Michelle Meera Katyal in Toronto, Canada on November 24, 1978. At the age of nine, she was involved in a car accident, which left her with limited use of her legs. She became an author and disability advocate. For six years, she wrote a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps Howard News Service and The Halifax Chronicle Herald. She wrote 11 books and created the Fairy Ability Tales series, which reimagined fairy tales to feature a protagonist with a disability or chronic illness. Her books include What Do You Use to Help Your Body?: Maggie Explores the World of Disabilities, DitzAbled Princess: A Comical Diary Inspired by Real Life, and Miss Popular Steals the Show: Girls in Wheelchairs Rule! She has won several awards including two Mom's Choice silver medals, a gold medal from Gelett Burgess Awards, and a bronze medal from IPPY Awards. She was the inspiration behind Archie Comics character, Harper Lodge. She died on January 7, 2016 at the age of 37.