Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc.

Pageant or Gala?

admin — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:48:15 +0000

Do you prefer to call the Ms. Wheelchair America event a pageant or a gala? Vote below. Feel free to leave comments on this issue.

On the Road with Ms. Wheelchair America 2008

Kristen McCosh — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:40:49 +0000

One of the best things about becoming Ms. Wheelchair America was the “Ski for Light” winter sporting event for people with disabilities in Deadwood South Dakota. I heard about SFL from previous national titleholders, but nothing could have prepared me for the excitement and enthusiasm in this tiny Western town! In addition to skiing down Terry Peak, I hung out in Saloon #10, where Wild Bill Hickok played his final hand of “aces & eights.” I lost a little money in the casino, but gained a new group of friends! Special thanks to George Lee, SFL Director, who organized this trip and sponsorship for MWA.

Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 Kristen McCosh

My next adventure was the “Disabled Divaz” Fashion show in Tucson, Arizona – a fundraiser for the Aurora Foundation to empower women with disabilities. I gave the keynote speech, then joined the Divaz models onstage! It was a spectacular sight to watch these accomplished women strut and wheel down the runway with grace and confidence. Kudos to Stephanie Parker, Aurora founder and President, for her generosity and kindness during this trip….

Next it was off to Washington DC with the American Association for Homecare. I shared my story as a woman with a disability who depends on homecare to remain active and healthy. I spoke about the need for quality, affordability, and choice in homecare providers – and about those who are forced to live in Skilled Nursing Facilities because of their lack of homecare. I spread this message on Capitol Hill to our Senators and Representatives the next day on behalf of the 52 million Americans with disabilities, and I will continue to advocate even after my reign as MWA is over. Thanks to NEMED for inviting me and sponsoring this trip.

My next big event was the Little League Jamboree in Virginia Beach in May. I signed autographs at the dance the night before the big game, and did the “Macarena” with the kids. On the field the next day, I welcomed the crowd and spoke about the importance of physical fitness for people with disabilities. The kids had a great time!

Other events I participated in as MWA were the Abilities Expos in New Jersey and California, and fitness expos in Boston and Florida. I had the privilege of meeting Senator Hillary Clinton, a troop of US Marines serving in the Mid East, and attending the World Stem Cell Summit. It’s been a whirlwind year that I’ll always cherish…

2009 MWA People’s Choice Award Voting

admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:55:16 +0000

Vote for the 2009 MWA People’s Choice Award. Support your favorite contestant while donating to Ms. Wheelchair America. To vote, (1) select the contestant, (2) enter a dollar amount, and (3) press the PayPal button. Each dollar you donate counts as one vote for your choice. $5 is 5 votes while $20 is 20 votes. You will be taken to the DateAble PayPal site where you can donate by credit card. All proceeds go to Ms. Wheelchair America. We will update the graph below with the results everyday. The winner will be awarded at the gala on July 26, 2008.

1. Select your candidate for the People’s Choice Award

Alabama – Amanda McBay

Arizona – Gina N. Schuh

Arkansas – Jonna Bloodworth

California – Shannon nee Hy-Coe

Colorado – LaTonya Reeves

District of Columbia – Deborah M. Barnes

Florida – Shari Deanna Wilson

Indiana – Katrina Gossett

Iowa – Ashley Lerch

Kansas – Amanda Steiner

Kentucky – Jaime Blanton

Maryland – Denise R. Thomas

Massachusetts – Kristen Ann Parisi

Michigan – Kathleen J. LeMieux

Nebraska – Lorinda L. Brown

New Jersey – Cynthia DeSouza

New York – Crystal Bergmann

North Carolina – Brandee Lee Ponder

Ohio – Shari Lynn Cooper

Oklahoma – Elizabeth Marie Reeve

South Dakota – Natalie D. Molitor

Tennessee – Kasondra Marlene Farmer

Texas – Michelle Colvard

Utah – Ashlee Allington

Virginia – Rose Williams

Washington – Meg Paulsen

2. Enter Dollar Amount and Press PayPal Button

Results as of July 2, 2008 at 10:30 PM

Vote On-Line for MWA 2009

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:47:29 +0000

Vote for your favorite MWA contestant. You may vote as many times as you like between now and July 25, 2008. We will announce the winner of the on-line voting on July 26, 2008. This voting is separate from the People’s Choice Award. We will be posting the voting for the People’s Choice Award very shortly. This voting is for fun and is not used to determine the winner of the pageant.

Meet the 2009 MWA Contestants

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:31:23 +0000

Congratulations Ladies!!! We have contestants from 25 States and the District of Columbia represented this year. Click on the States below to read about the contestants. Feel free to leave some words of encouragement on the contestant pages. Come back often during the pageant for updates on the contestants.

Ms. Wheelchair Alabama – Amanda McBay

Ms. Wheelchair Arizona – Gina N. Schuh

Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas – Jonna Bloodworth

Ms. Wheelchair California – Shannon nee Hy-Coe

Ms. Wheelchair Colorado – LaTonya Reeves

Ms. Wheelchair District of Columbia – Deborah M. Barnes

Ms. Wheelchair Florida – Shari Deanna Wilson

Ms. Wheelchair Indiana – Katrina Gossett

Ms. Wheelchair Iowa – Ashley Lerch

Ms. Wheelchair Kansas – Amanda Steiner

Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky – Jaime Blanton

Ms. Wheelchair Maryland – Denise R. Thomas

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts – Kristen Ann Parisi

Ms. Wheelchair Michigan – Kathleen J. LeMieux

Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska – Lorinda L. Brown

Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey – Cynthia DeSouza

Ms. Wheelchair New York – Crystal Bergmann

Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina – Brandee Lee Ponder

Ms. Wheelchair Ohio – Shari Lynn Cooper

Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma – Elizabeth Marie Reeve

Ms. Wheelchair South Dakota – Natalie D. Molitor

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee – Kasondra Marlene Farmer

Ms. Wheelchair Texas – Michelle Colvard

Ms. Wheelchair Utah – Ashlee Allington

Ms. Wheelchair Virginia – Rose Williams

Ms. Wheelchair Washington – Meg Paulsen

Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 2008 - Amanda McBay

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:23:14 +0000

Ms. Wheelchair Alabama
2008 Amanda McBay

HONEST…
     OUTGOING…
          CARING…
               OUTSPOKEN…
                    INQUISITIVE…

Lives in Hartselle, Alabama with her fiancé
Has a son currently serving in Iraq
Received a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Athens State University
Traumatic Brain Injury as the result of an accident
Written an autobiography which she hope to get published
Self Perception: Honest, Outgoing, Caring, Outspoken, Inquisitive

Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2008 - Gina N. Schuh

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:22:07 +0000

Ms. Wheelchair Arizona
2008 Gina N. Schuh

ASSERTIVE…
     HAPPY…
          DETERMINED…
               OUTGOING…
                    GREGARIOUS…

Lives in Mesa, Arizona with her mother and sister
Works with Mesa Partnership for children with special healthcare needs
Attends Mesa Community College; working toward Law School
Quadriplegic as the result of a diving accident
Enjoys school, working with disability organizations, spending time with family and her fiance, and SHOPPING!
Self Perception: Assertive, Happy, Determined, Outgoing, Gregarious

Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas 2008 - Jonna Bloodworth

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:21:12 +0000

Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas
2008 Jonna Bloodworth

OPTIMISTIC…
     GREGARIOUS…
          RESILIENT…
               DETERMINED…
                    TENACIOUS…

Lives on her own in Springdale, Arkansas
Employed full time as a Secretary for the Office of Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Works as a Direct Care provider with the Elizabeth Richardson Center
Awards include the 2003 Arkansas Ability Award and the 2007 Connie Gross Leadership Award
Disabled since birth due to Cerebral Palsy
Enjoys spending time with her three daughters and five grandchildren
Self Perception: Optimistic, Gregarious, Resilient, Determined, Tenacious

Ms. Wheelchair California 2008 - Shannon Coe, nee Hy

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:20:16 +0000

Ms. Wheelchair California
2008 Shannon Coe, nee Hy

ADVENTUROUS…
     PASSIONATE…
          COURAGEOUS…
               VIVACIOUS…
                    STRONG…

Lives in Davis, California with her husband
Volunteers for Joni and Friends Wheels for the World Program
Received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of California, Berkeley
Plans to obtain a Master’s degree in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies
Acquired polio shortly after birth
Enjoys traveling, nature and outdoor activities such as hand cycling, kayaking, and water-rafting
Self Perception: Adventurous, Passionate, Courageous, Vivacious, Strong

Ms. Wheelchair Colorado 2008 - LaTonya Reeves

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:18:11 +0000

Ms. Wheelchair Colorado
2008 LaTonya Reeves

HONEST…
     KNOWLEDGABLE…
          INSPIRATIONAL…
               STRONG WILLED…
                    SMART ON DISABILITY ISSUES…

Lives on her own in Denver, Colorado
Employed as a Transition Coordinator
Volunteers as Girl Scout Leader
Received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Memphis State
Disabled since birth due to Cerebral Palsy
Enjoys swimming, bowling, and reading
Self Perception: Honest, Knowledgable, Inspirational, Strong willed, Smart on Disability Issues