About
About Ms. Wheelchair America
History
Organized in 1972 by a Columbus, Ohio physician Dr. Philip K. Wood as a forum for the promotion of the achievements, as well as the needs of, people with mobility impairments, Ms. Wheelchair America recognizes the accomplishments of women who utilize wheelchairs for mobility. The non-profit program which consists of the State Coordinators and State Titleholders has grown to include programs in more than 30 states and the District of Columbia. The state programs are staffed and coordinated by volunteers dedicated to increasing public awareness so that all citizens will be afforded the opportunities to lead productive and meaningful lives.
Board Members
Kristen Connors– President of Ms. Wheelchair America
Kristen Connors is the State Coordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair Rhode Isalnd program. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she now resides in Cranston. She graduated from East Greenwich High School and attended Rhode Island College where she studied political science. Kristen is currently a constituent caseworker for US Congressman James Langevin. As such, Kristen handles issues regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, Veterans and Military concerns, and issues related to Education and Housing. In addition, she represents the Congressman on several boards and commissions, including PARI Independent Living Center, TechAccess, the Rhode Island Home Choice Coalition, Rhodes to Independence Housing Work Group, and the Youth Leadership Forum. She also represents the Congressman at special events when his Congressional duties keep him in Washington, D.C.
Kristen’s hobbies include watching movies, singing and traveling. She recently began to bi-ski. She volunteers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at fundraisers throughout the year and received the MDA Rhode Island State Personal Achievement Award for 2005. In addition, she is a member of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island and has served as a State Democratic Convention Delegate. Kristen has volunteered on many local and state political campaigns. She also teaches confirmation classes at her church, Holy Apostles. Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two nephews Connor and Christopher, and her dog, Emmy.
Ida Esh't– Vice President of Ms. Wheelchair America
Ida B. Esh’t (Hagar) mother of two sons won the title as Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 1987-1988. Her motto, “ATTITUDES: People First, disability Second”, continues to be her philosophy. In May 1988, under her guidance, creativity and membership the Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities implemented a state wide week celebration focusing on Ida’s motto. Ida graduated with high honors from Catonsville College, MD. She attended Gallaudet University and AR State University. She has served as judge and head judge for Ms Wheelchair Maryland and most recently Head Judge for Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma.” In July 2002, the MWAR pageant was reinvented. In 2004, she recognized the need to create a mentoring honorary program for little girls 3-5 years of age and their parents. Since that time she has assisted other states in establishing a similar program. In July 2005, she was the Host National State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair America. Ida has served as Secretary for MWA and currently serves as MWA Vice-President and the Arkansas State Coordinator.
Throughout the last 30 years Ms. Esh't, (pronounced A'sha) has created, worked with and served on numerous national, state and local Boards, Commissions, support groups and agencies to enhance the independent lives of individuals with disabilities. Ida is known as an international motivational speaker/trainer. She has written and produced with her singing partner over 22 available songs. She is proficient in ASL. She was honored in the 2009 National Who’s Who Directory, as well as, 2004 Outstanding Collegiate Directory. She is the recipient of several federal, state, and local awards for her outstanding contributions, achievements and devotion. She has served as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, Clerical Supervisor with the Department of Justice. In 1999 she created an educational workshop to teach others the delicate heart matter of “what do you see when you look at me?” She is the founder and CEO of “H.O.P.E. – How Opportunities Provide Equality. A training seminar for Employers and businesses focusing on the words that affect how we treat or mistreat our greatest underused populous…people who happen to have a disAbility, truly people with values and abilities.
Denise DiNoto– Secretary of Ms. Wheelchair America
Denise DiNoto has been involved with Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc. (MWA) at the state and national levels since her year of service as Ms. Wheelchair New York 2001. As a state titleholder, Denise was also honored to be selected as first runner-up for Ms. Wheelchair America 2002. Denise has been the State Coordinator for the Ms. Wheelchair New York organization since 2002 and served as Host State Coordinator for the national pageant in 2005. Denise was first elected to the MWA Board of Directors as Secretary in 2003. She served as Executive Director for MWA from 2005 – 2007, and returned to the position of Secretary from 2007 – 2009. Denise served as Vice President for fiscal year 2009-2010 and is currently serving as MWA Secretary.
Denise is a New York State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is currently employed as the professional development specialist for the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program.
In addition to her volunteer work with Ms. Wheelchair America, Denise also serves as President for The College of Saint Rose National Alumni Association Board of Directors. She volunteers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and serves as a peer advocate for other women with disabilities. She enjoys singing, traveling and crocheting.
Crystal Childers – Treasurer of Ms. Wheelchair America
Crystal Childers is State Coordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska program and is the Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc. Treasurer. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska in 2001 and placed second-runner up at the Ms. Wheelchair America 2002 competition.
She is currently working for the State of Nebraska Department Administrative Services Employee Relations Department handling employee grievances. Crystal was named the Administrative Services State Employee of the Year in 2009.
She likes to travel, scrapbook, sew and babysit her nephews. Crystal is currently serves on the Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership Advisory Board has served MWA for three terms as Treasurer.
Carrie Greenwood- Member-at-Large of Ms. Wheelchair America
Carrie Greenwood has a passion for promoting diversity, empowerment, and education amongst ALL people, especially youth and women with disabilities. She expresses her passion through her job and volunteer activities. Carrie is currently serving as the Member at Large on the Ms. Wheelchair America Board of Directors. She held the title of Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2004 and has served as the state coordinator of this program for the past six years.
Carrie currently works for the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy in Topeka, Kansas, which is a non-profit organization that works to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities in Kansas. She serves as the Program Coordinator, where she coordinates such programs as the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, Disability Heritage Project, and more. Carrie has had the opportunity to attend national and local conferences and speak to over 150 groups about disability awareness and youth empowerment. Since attending the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum in 2001, she has emerged as a youth leader and voice in the disability community of Kansas.
Carrie holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Design Technology from Washburn University in Topeka. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, volunteering at her church, reading a good fiction book, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.
Shelly Loose – Executive Director of Ms. Wheelchair America
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Shelly has just starting to leave her footprints on the community she loves. Music, a passion which drew its flame in early life, drove her to gain her degree in Music Education from Aquinas College. Her life changed in 1987, during her first year of teaching, when one of life’s hurdles was thrown in her path. She suffered a spinal cord injury which would leave her to live life in a wheelchair. Without the use of her fingers, Shelly was forced to give up her music. Shelly’s love for children persuaded her return to Aquinas for a Masters Degree in the Art of Teaching. Reading became a new passion.
During her long, hard recovery at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, she met another quadriplegic, Ken Loose. Since the day they met they have been a team like no other in their commitment to each other. Ken and Shelly were married in 1993, on “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee”. They started their life together and worked to raise Ken’s children. The next dream began when Katherine Jane was born after a high risk pregnancy in May 1997. As Katherine turned 10, Shelly was ready for a yet another dream…Ms. Wheelchair Michigan.
Now, Shelly continues her involvement with the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan program as she volunteers as State Coordinator. She also volunteers many hours serving as the Executive Director of Ms. Wheelchair America. This has become a purpose to help people with disabilities, especially women that “truly live life” to the fullest.
