NOTE: CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE VIDEOS OF KRISTEN’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS MS WHEELCHAIR AMERICA 2008!

Kristen uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury (SCI) sustained at the age of 15, and has over twenty years of experience in disability issues as an advocate, community organizer, speaker, writer, researcher and peer mentor.

Kristen McCosh,
Ms Wheelchair America
2008

Ms. McCosh spent the last year travelling across the country doing outreach and advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities.

“I will be working hard to spread the word about the accomplishments and achievements of people who use wheelchairs. I will also be advocating for vital programs and services that facilitate empowerment and success for people with disabilities, such as employment, access, education, transportation, housing, health care, and more,” McCosh said.

Her platform for her reign as Ms. Wheelchair America was physical fitness for people with disabilities, because it’s something she believes in very strongly.

“I try to encourage people in wheelchairs to remain as active and healthy as possible,” Ms. McCosh said, adding that she exercises regularly at a local YMCA. She works part time at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston as an Early Intervention Peer Mentor, helping newly-injured people adjust to life in a wheelchair, and she also leads a weekly wheelchair aerobics class there.

Ms. McCosh is employed full time as the Editor of Solutions e-Magazine, a publication of Hire Disability Solutions, LLC. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and has studied toward her Master of Public Health Degree (MPH) at Boston University School of Public Health. In her spare time, Ms. McCosh is writing a Women’s Fiction novel series featuring women with disabilities as heroines.

“My message is much more about empowerment than inspiration,” McCosh added, noting, “I feel honored to have been selected as a leader among this field of amazing women.”

VIDEO LINKS:

Kristen McCosh, MWA 2008, marches on the 4th of July *** (click for video) ***

Kristen intervies U Can Ski 2 (adaptive water skiing) *** (click for video) ***

Kristen interviews Larry Maddick of Kiwanis about the Rose Float partnership *** (click for video) ***

Kristen relates an air travel anecdote *** (click for video) ***

Kristen on the road in Central Park, NY *** (click for video) ***

Kristen on the road in Virginia Beach *** (click for video) ***

Kristen on the road in Salem, MA *** (click for video) ***

Kristen speaks in front of the Massachusetts State House *** (click for video) ***

Kristen on the road in South Beach, Miami *** (click for video) ***

Kristen on the Freedom Trail, Boston *** (click for video) ***

Kristen intervies Matt Eddy *** (click for video) ***

Kristen speaks about the “Miami Project” *** (click for video) ***

Check out the weather in Boston! *** (click for video) ***

Autumn currently serves as the Director of the Center for Academic Achievement at Stonehill College. As such, Autumn coordinates services for students with disabilities, runs a college wide tutoring program and a summer program for “at-risk” students. In addition, Autumn advises undecided students and teaches 1-2 classes each semester.

Autumn was diagnosed at the age of 10 with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy; this came as quite a shock since she had been very physically active, especially in dance. In 1996, shortly after graduating from college she started using a wheelchair. Grant soon learned that her wheelchair was actually her key to a more independent life.

Autumn’s hobbies include reading, traveling and spending time with her fiancé Kenny Bergeron and their “babies”, a dog and three cats. Autumn is an active volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and received a MDA State Personal Achievement Award in 2002. She also serves as a tutor with the Literacy Center in her hometown. In addition, Autumn is involved in many professional organizations and enjoys presenting at regional and national conferences.

As Ms. Wheelchair America 2007, Autumn will promote her platform “Independence through Education”. In her own words, she believes, “The statistics regarding women with disabilities with college degrees, full time employment and those living below the poverty level are startling.” Autumn feels that education is the first step towards obtaining independence and will spend her year working to eliminate barriers keeping people with disabilities from becoming involved in post secondary education. She also hopes to demonstrate that “Independence through Education” is possible by sharing her own personal story with those she meets.

Kristen Connors,
Ms Wheelchair America 2006

Kristen was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a form of Muscular Dystrophy, at 15 months. She has used a wheelchair for mobility since elementary school. Her parents, Pat and Jerry, decided early on that they would not think about the things Kristen was unable to do, but rather concentrate on what she could do. Each year her parents would speak to her teachers and made it a point to instruct them that Kristen was not to be treated special because of her disability but should be treated like all the other children.

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 Committee Member and a Rhode Island 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.

Kristen has combined her employment and leadership knowledge and her advocacy work to pursue her platform of “Breaking down attitudinal barriers for people with disabilities in the workforce”. Individuals with disabilities face many barriers every day- from physical obstacles in buildings to systemic barriers in employment. Yet, often, the most difficult barriers to overcome are the negative attitudes that people with disabilities can encounter in the workplace. Kristen’s philosophy is that we are the only ones who can set limits for ourselves and our potential; no one else can. Kristen’s personal life in the workforce reflects this belief. She started working summer jobs when she was 14 and has never let barriers hold her back. In Kristen’s own words, “If I had allowed other people to set limits for me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. As far as I am concerned, there are no limits and I hope this holds true for you as well.”

Juliette Rizzo,
Ms. Wheelchair America 2005

Juliette empowers Americans with disabilities through her Ms. Wheelchair America platform, “Power through Participation: Illuminating Opportunities for People with Disabilities.” She believes that community participation is more than having a physical presence but is also about finding your identity through your involvement in and personal contribution to community life.

2007 Autumn Grant, Massachusetts

2006 Kristen Connors, Rhode Island

2005 Juliet Rizzo, Maryland

2004 Cinda Hughes, Oklahoma

2003 Catherine Gugala, Wisconsin

2002 Candy Marsh, Colorado

2001 Nicki Ard South, Carolina

2000 Tracy O’Connor, South Dakota

1999 Christina Gilmore, Wisconsin

1998 Teri Cecil, Kentucky

1997 Elaine Stefanowicz, Washington

1996 Amy Baxter-Ley, Texas

1995 Wendy Petzold, Wisconsin

1993/4 Dawn Blodgett, California

1993 Kim Mensi, Alabama

1992 Deanna Van Hook, Texas

1991 Mercedes Rodriguez, Florida

1990 Kathy Garcia, Utah

1989 Jewell Massey, Georgia

1988 Peggy Simpson, Alabama

1987 Sandra Honbaier, North Carolina

1986 Donna Cline, Nevada

1985 Lori Cottam, Utah

1984 Gaynell Colburn, Maryland

1983 Barbara Crozier, Alabama

1982 Marian Vessels, Maryland

1981 Vivian Thompson, Massachusetts

1980 Nancy Pudvin, Georgia

1979 Marge Chmielewski, Michigan

1978 Marge Soan, Georgia

1977 Beverly Chapman, Florida