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
Angela Wrigglesworth – President of Ms. Wheelchair America
Angela Wrigglesworth, a native Houstonian, is the President of Ms. Wheelchair America. She is a 1999 graduate of Texas A&M University and a 2009 master’s graduate of St. Thomas University. She is a third grade teacher in the Klein school district, was recognized in 2005 by Who’s Who Among American Teachers, and was awarded the 2004 Houston Chronicle Crystal Teacher Award in which she and five other educators were selected out of 1600 nominees for their outstanding teaching abilities.
Ms. Wrigglesworth has been an active volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for many years and is a member of the National Task Force on Public Awareness, a committee made up of twelve people from around the country who act as liaisons between MDA and the media. She also serves as the official spokeswoman for Camp For All, is a member of the Young Texans Against Cancer Foundation, and is the President of the Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation.
Denise DiNoto – Vice President 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. She is currently serving as MWA Vice President.
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 Secretary 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.
Autumn Grant – Secretary Ms. Wheelchair America
Autumn Grant, Ms. Wheelchair America 2007 is the current Ms. Wheelchair America Inc. Secretary and previously served in the “At-Large” position on the Board of Directors. In addition, she is the State Coordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation. Her involvement with the foundation began in 2006 when she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts. She is an academic advisor at Bridgewater State College and was recently recognized as one of only ten academic advisors internationally as an “Emerging Leader” by the National Academic Advising Association. Autumn has a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and a master’s degree from Boston College.
Titles Held
- Ms. Wheelchair America Board of Directors
- Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts State Coordinator
- Ms. Wheelchair America 2007
- Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2006
Crystal Childers – Treasurer 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 on the Lincoln Legal Professionals Association board as the Scholarship Chair, serves as Treasurer for the Timber Ridge Homeowners Association, serves on the Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership Advisory Board and has recently accepted a position on the Paralegal Advisory Board for Kaplan University in Lincoln.
Shelly Loose – Member at Large 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. This has become a purpose to help people with disabilities, especially women that “truly live life” to the fullest.
Shelly is an example of following her dreams and overcoming obstacles. As Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, she gave motivational speeches and encouraged others to persevere through their own struggles. She hopes to educate the public regarding the many accomplishments of people with disabilities.
