Sammi Haney Age has become a trending search topic as this remarkable teenage actress continues inspiring millions through her groundbreaking roles on Netflix and Disney platforms.
Born on August 25, 2010, the now 15-year-old San Antonio native has defied expectations and shattered stereotypes about disability representation in entertainment.
Living with osteogenesis imperfecta type III—commonly known as brittle bone disease—Sammi has transformed her wheelchair from a medical necessity into a symbol of empowerment, proving that physical limitations cannot constrain talent, determination, or dreams.
Her portrayal of Esperanza in Netflix’s “Raising Dion” earned her an Emmy nomination and established her as one of Hollywood’s most important young voices for disability advocacy and authentic representation.
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Quick Facts About Sammi Haney
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sammi Haney |
| Age | 15 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthday | August 25, 2010 |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Birthplace | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Current Residence | San Antonio, Texas |
| Profession | Actress, Voice Actress, Disability Advocate, Entrepreneur |
| Famous For | Esperanza in “Raising Dion” (Netflix) |
| Other Roles | Piper in “FireBuds” (Disney Junior) |
| Medical Condition | Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type III (Brittle Bone Disease) |
| Parents | Matt Haney (Father), Priscilla Haney (Mother) |
| Siblings | Two older siblings |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $500,000-$800,000 |
| Business | DisabilityShirts.com (Founder) |
| Emmy Nomination | Outstanding Young Performer (CAFE Awards) |
Who Is Sammi Haney?
Sammi Haney is an American actress, voice actress, disability advocate, and young entrepreneur who has become one of the most inspiring figures in children’s entertainment. At just 15 years old, she represents a new generation of performers demanding authentic disability representation.
Her breakthrough came in 2019 when Netflix cast her as Esperanza Jimenez in “Raising Dion,” a superhero series produced by Michael B. Jordan.
The role made her one of the first wheelchair-using actresses to play a major recurring character in a mainstream streaming series.
What makes Sammi extraordinary isn’t just her acting talent—it’s her refusal to be defined or limited by her disability.
She uses her platform to advocate for the disability community, runs a successful apparel business, and pursues her acting dreams with unwavering determination.
Sammi Haney Age, Early Life and Background
Sammi Haney was born on August 25, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas, into a loving family that would become her greatest support system. From birth, doctors diagnosed her with osteogenesis imperfecta type III, one of the most severe forms of brittle bone disease.
The condition meant Sammi was born with 19 fractures already present in her tiny body. Simple tasks that most children take for granted—being picked up, playing, even sneezing—could cause painful bone breaks.
Despite these challenges, her parents Matt and Priscilla Haney made a conscious decision to focus on what Sammi could do rather than what she couldn’t. They homeschooled her, allowing flexibility for medical appointments while ensuring quality education.
Understanding Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type III is a genetic disorder affecting collagen production. Collagen is the protein providing structure to bones, and when the body doesn’t produce enough quality collagen, bones become extremely fragile.
Sammi has broken hundreds of bones throughout her life. At age two, she began undergoing surgeries to have rods inserted into her arms and legs, providing internal support to strengthen her skeletal structure.
She requires annual visits to doctors and surgeons to adjust these rods as she grows. Despite medical advancements, Sammi remains vulnerable to fractures from activities as simple as sneezing or sudden movements.
Family Support System
Sammi’s parents, Matt and Priscilla Haney, have been instrumental in her success. Priscilla is described as an OI expert, having devoted herself to understanding her daughter’s condition and becoming her fiercest advocate.
Matt Haney, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication, designs the t-shirts for Sammi’s DisabilityShirts business. His creative background helps bring Sammi’s advocacy visions to life through merchandise.
Sammi is the youngest of three children. Her two older siblings have maintained relatively private lives, but family sources indicate they’ve been supportive of Sammi’s career and advocacy work.
Discovery and First Acting Opportunity
Sammi’s path to acting began unexpectedly through Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first fully accessible and inclusive theme park in San Antonio. She frequently visited this special place designed specifically for people with disabilities.
In 2018, a New York Times article featured Morgan’s Wonderland and included Sammi. This exposure caught the attention of Nikki Young, who previously worked in casting but was then the Entertainment Director at Morgan’s Wonderland.
When Netflix contacted Young in 2019 seeking child actors with disabilities for “Raising Dion,” she immediately thought of Sammi. Young recommended three children, but Sammi’s audition tape stood out dramatically.
Landing the Role of Esperanza
Sammi recorded her audition tape in her bedroom with her mother’s help. Despite having no formal acting training, her natural charisma, comic timing, and authentic personality shone through the camera.
Netflix executives later revealed that Sammi’s audition was the only tape that made everyone in the room laugh. Her sassy delivery and genuine personality were exactly what they envisioned for Esperanza Jimenez.
Receiving the phone call from Netflix changed everything for the Haney family. At just 8 years old, Sammi would become a series regular on a major streaming platform produced by one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Raising Dion: Breakthrough Role
“Raising Dion” premiered on Netflix in October 2019, introducing audiences to Dion Warren, a young boy discovering his superpowers. Sammi’s character, Esperanza, was Dion’s best friend—a sassy, pink-glasses-wearing wheelchair user who never let anything slow her down.
The role was groundbreaking for several reasons. Esperanza wasn’t defined by her disability; she was a fully realized character who happened to use a wheelchair. Her storylines involved typical kid experiences—friendship drama, school challenges, and supporting her superhero best friend.
Sammi’s performance earned critical acclaim for its authenticity and charm. Viewers praised how naturally she embodied Esperanza, bringing humor, heart, and genuine emotion to every scene.
Season 2 and Emmy Nomination
“Raising Dion” Season 2 premiered on February 8, 2022, expanding Esperanza’s role. The character became even more integral to the storyline, showcasing her intelligence, bravery, and unwavering loyalty to Dion.
Sammi’s performance earned her a Children’s & Family Emmy Award (CAFE) nomination for Outstanding Young Performer. This recognition validated her talent and the importance of authentic disability representation in entertainment.
Though the show was unfortunately canceled after Season 2, its impact on disability representation in media remains significant. Sammi’s Esperanza showed millions of young viewers that wheelchair users are heroes, friends, and fully dimensional people.
Voice Acting: FireBuds on Disney Junior
In addition to her live-action work, Sammi expanded into voice acting, landing the role of Piper in Disney Junior’s “FireBuds.” This animated series features talking vehicles and their first responder partners.
Voice acting presented different challenges than live-action work. Sammi had to convey emotion and personality purely through her voice, without physical performance or facial expressions to support the character.
The role demonstrated Sammi’s versatility as a performer. Working in animation also eliminated any potential physical limitations, allowing her to portray any character regardless of mobility requirements.
DisabilityShirts: Advocacy Through Entrepreneurship
Beyond acting, Sammi founded DisabilityShirts.com, an online t-shirt company providing themed apparel for people with disabilities. The business mission is spreading awareness, acceptance, and love for the disability community.
Her father Matt designs the shirts, but Sammi approves all designs and concepts. The merchandise features empowering slogans, disability-positive messages, and designs that challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion.
The business represents more than just commerce—it’s activism. Each shirt sold contributes to normalizing disability discussions and creating community among people with disabilities and their allies.
The Savvy Sammi Superhero Book
In 2023, author Trinity Jagdeo released “Savvy Sammi: The Superhero,” a children’s book directly inspired by Sammi. The book is part of Jagdeo’s nonprofit “From We Can’t to We Can,” which creates superhero stories featuring children with disabilities.
Trinity wrote the book after interacting with Sammi and being impressed by her communication style and personality. “We really built the entire character around Sammi’s personality,” Trinity explained in interviews.
The book represents another milestone in Sammi’s journey as a disability advocate. Having a superhero character modeled after her sends powerful messages to children with disabilities about their own heroic potential.
Net Worth and Financial Success
As of 2026, Sammi Haney’s estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $800,000. This impressive figure for a 15-year-old comes from multiple revenue streams built over her seven-year career.
Her primary income source is acting, including her salary from “Raising Dion” and ongoing residuals from the show’s continued streaming. Voice acting work on “FireBuds” provides additional steady income.
DisabilityShirts.com generates thousands of dollars in merchandise sales. The business combines profit with purpose, allowing Sammi to earn money while advancing her advocacy mission.
On-Set Accommodations and Safety
Netflix’s accommodation of Sammi’s needs set important precedents for disability inclusion in entertainment. From day one, the production team prioritized her safety and comfort above convenience or budget.
Before filming, Matt Haney reviewed all scripts, suggesting changes for activities unsafe for Sammi. This included avoiding heavy backpack lifting, limiting how many people transferred her from wheelchair to other positions, and avoiding rough terrain.
On the first day, the standard transportation vans proved unsafe for Sammi to enter and exit. Netflix immediately secured a specialized van with a ramp, and this accessible vehicle ended up appearing in the show itself.
Creating Safe Working Environments
During filming, production crews received clear instructions to stop all activity and clear paths whenever Sammi moved around set. This prevented anyone carrying heavy equipment from accidentally bumping into her and causing fractures.
These accommodations weren’t burdensome—they were basic safety requirements that any responsible production should provide. Netflix’s willingness to adapt showed that including disabled actors is entirely feasible when productions commit to accessibility.
The experience established Sammi and her family as experts on set accommodations for actors with OI. They’ve since advised other productions on similar safety protocols.
Overcoming Personal Fears
Sammi’s biggest on-set fear wasn’t related to “Raising Dion” filming—it involved her personal fear of long ramps. This fear developed from a childhood incident at water therapy when she attempted to navigate a long ramp independently.
Without her mother watching, young Sammi tried proving she could manage the ramp alone. She ended up tipping over in her wheelchair, creating a traumatic memory that stayed with her.
Confronting this fear required courage and support from her family and production team. Her willingness to face personal challenges while managing a demanding filming schedule demonstrates remarkable emotional strength.
Social Media Presence and Influence
Sammi maintains active social media accounts managed by her parents, ensuring age-appropriate content and safety. Her Instagram account @sammi.haney has grown to over 58,000 followers who follow her career and advocacy work.
Her bio identifies her as “Emmy Nominated Actress” and highlights her roles as Esperanza and Piper, along with her disability advocacy. The account showcases behind-the-scenes content, personal moments, and promotional material for DisabilityShirts.
On Twitter (now X), she uses the handle @SammiHaneySassy, perfectly capturing her personality. With over 3,000 followers, she engages in disability advocacy conversations and connects with fans.
YouTube and Video Content
Sammi’s YouTube channel @Sammi Haney has accumulated over 27,800 subscribers. The channel features vlogs, behind-the-scenes content from “Raising Dion,” interviews, and advocacy videos about living with OI.
Video content allows Sammi to control her narrative and educate audiences about osteogenesis imperfecta in accessible, engaging formats. Young people with disabilities see themselves represented, while able-bodied viewers gain understanding.
The platform also provides additional income through monetization. As her subscriber count grows, YouTube ad revenue becomes another revenue stream supporting her family and business.
Impact on Disability Representation
Sammi’s work has significantly impacted how disability is portrayed in mainstream entertainment. Before “Raising Dion,” wheelchair-using characters were often played by able-bodied actors, a practice called “cripping up.”
Her authentic portrayal proved that disabled actors can and should play disabled characters. This isn’t just about representation—it’s about employment opportunities for an underrepresented community in entertainment.
She’s inspired other young people with disabilities to pursue entertainment careers. “We need more people with OI who dream about being in the entertainment industry, to pursue that dream and actually give it a try,” Sammi stated in an OIFE Magazine interview.
Educational Advocacy Work
Beyond entertainment, Sammi actively educates about osteogenesis imperfecta and disability rights. She participates in interviews, speaks at events, and uses social media to spread awareness about OI and accessibility needs.
Her DisabilityShirts business serves educational purposes beyond just selling merchandise. The designs spark conversations and challenge stereotypes, creating opportunities for dialogue about disability inclusion.
Schools, disability organizations, and media outlets frequently request Sammi’s participation in educational initiatives. She generously shares her experiences to help create a more inclusive society.
Personal Interests and Hobbies
Despite her busy schedule, Sammi remains a typical teenager with interests beyond acting and advocacy. She’s a massive Star Wars fan, particularly loving recent series like “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”
“I would love to work on those shows or similar ones,” Sammi shared in interviews. Her dream of appearing in the Star Wars universe reflects her broader goal of seeing disability representation expand into all entertainment genres.
She enjoys spending time at Morgan’s Wonderland, the accessible theme park where her journey began. The park holds special significance as a place where she can enjoy activities without barriers.
Challenges and Ongoing Medical Needs
Living with OI type III means Sammi faces ongoing medical challenges. Annual surgeries to adjust rods in her limbs are necessary as she grows, requiring hospital stays and recovery periods.
Every sneeze, bump, or sudden movement carries fracture risk. This constant vulnerability requires careful planning and awareness from Sammi, her family, and everyone around her.
Despite these challenges, Sammi maintains remarkably positive outlook. “I never see that as a disability,” she told reporters, emphasizing her abilities rather than limitations.
The Role of Her Mother Priscilla
Priscilla Haney deserves special recognition for her tireless advocacy and support. As an OI expert, she understands the medical complexities and safety requirements necessary for Sammi’s wellbeing.
She helped Sammi prepare for her “Raising Dion” audition, supported her through filming, and manages her social media accounts. Priscilla balances protecting her daughter while allowing her to pursue dreams.
“Her mother is a well-known superhero in her life,” one biography states. This description perfectly captures Priscilla’s essential role in making Sammi’s success possible.
Future Career Aspirations
At 15 in 2026, Sammi’s career is just beginning. She’s expressed interest in expanding her acting work, particularly into science fiction and fantasy genres where disability representation remains limited.
Her voice acting success on “FireBuds” could lead to more animation opportunities. Voice work allows unlimited character possibilities without physical limitations affecting casting decisions.
She’s also committed to expanding DisabilityShirts and her advocacy platform. As she matures, she’ll likely take on more leadership roles in disability rights organizations and entertainment industry inclusion initiatives.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Sammi’s greatest impact may be on young people with disabilities who see themselves represented on screen for the first time. Esperanza showed that wheelchair users can be heroes, friends, and complex characters.
Parents of children with disabilities also find inspiration in Sammi’s story. The Haney family demonstrates that with support, accommodation, and belief, children with disabilities can achieve dreams once thought impossible.
Her message is consistent: focus on abilities, not disabilities. Challenge assumptions. Pursue dreams despite obstacles. These lessons resonate far beyond the disability community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How old is Sammi Haney in 2026?
A: Sammi Haney is 15 years old as of 2026. She was born on August 25, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas, making her a Virgo. Despite her young age, she’s already achieved remarkable success in entertainment and advocacy.
Q: What condition does Sammi Haney have?
A: Sammi Haney was born with osteogenesis imperfecta type III, commonly called brittle bone disease. This genetic disorder causes extremely fragile bones. She was born with 19 fractures and has broken hundreds of bones throughout her life, requiring ongoing medical care.
Q: What is Sammi Haney’s net worth?
A: As of 2026, Sammi Haney’s estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $800,000. Her income comes from acting roles on Netflix and Disney Junior, merchandise sales from DisabilityShirts.com, social media, and residuals from her television work.
Q: What shows is Sammi Haney in?
A: Sammi Haney is best known for playing Esperanza in Netflix’s “Raising Dion” (2019-2022), which earned her an Emmy nomination. She also voices Piper in Disney Junior’s animated series “FireBuds” and appeared in “7 Little Johnstons.”
Q: Who are Sammi Haney’s parents?
A: Sammi’s parents are Matt Haney and Priscilla Haney. Matt has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication and designs merchandise for DisabilityShirts. Priscilla is an OI expert who advocates tirelessly for Sammi and manages her career.
Q: Does Sammi Haney have siblings?
A: Yes, Sammi Haney has two older siblings, though their names and details remain private. She is the youngest of three children in the Haney family.
Q: What is DisabilityShirts?
A: DisabilityShirts.com is Sammi Haney’s online apparel business providing themed clothing for people with disabilities. Founded to spread awareness and acceptance, the company features designs approved by Sammi and created by her father to promote disability-positive messages.
Q: Did Sammi Haney get nominated for an Emmy?
A: Yes, Sammi Haney received a Children’s & Family Emmy Award (CAFE) nomination for Outstanding Young Performer for her role as Esperanza in “Raising Dion.” This recognition validated her talent and the importance of authentic disability representation.
Q: Where does Sammi Haney live?
A: Sammi Haney lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her family. San Antonio is also home to Morgan’s Wonderland, the fully accessible theme park where Sammi frequently visits and was first discovered through a New York Times feature.
Q: Is Raising Dion coming back?
A: No, Netflix canceled “Raising Dion” after Season 2 in 2022. Despite the show’s positive reception and cultural impact on disability representation, the streaming platform decided not to continue the series, disappointing fans and the cast.
Conclusion
Sammi Haney Age represents far more than just a number—it symbolizes fifteen years of defying expectations, shattering stereotypes, and proving that disability does not define potential or limit dreams.
From being born with 19 fractures to becoming an Emmy-nominated actress, Sammi’s journey demonstrates extraordinary resilience, talent, and determination that inspires millions worldwide.
Her portrayal of Esperanza in “Raising Dion” marked a watershed moment for disability representation in mainstream entertainment, proving that authentic casting creates richer, more meaningful storytelling.
By simply being herself—sassy, talented, and unapologetically confident—Sammi showed young viewers that wheelchair users are complete, complex people deserving of hero roles, not just inspirational side characters.
Beyond entertainment, Sammi’s advocacy through DisabilityShirts and educational work creates lasting change in how society views and accommodates people with disabilities.
She uses her platform not just for personal success but to lift up an entire community that has been marginalized and underrepresented for far too long.
As she continues growing both personally and professionally, Sammi Haney stands as living proof that when we focus on abilities rather than limitations, provide necessary accommodations rather than excuses, and believe in potential rather than stereotypes, extraordinary achievements become possible.
Her story reminds us that heroes come in many forms—and sometimes they have pink glasses, infectious laughter, and wheels instead of capes.