What a year it has been! As we prepare for the holiday season, here are this month’s updates from Ms. Wheelchair America.

Coordinator Updates

Three states held successful pageants in November. Congratulations to Crystal Childers (MWNE), Pat O’Bryant (MWKY) and Robert Watson (MWMD) on jobs well done. Due to the holiday season, no state pageants are planned for December.

We are happy to announce new coordinators have joined the Ms. Wheelchair America program. Dawn Peterson will be the coordinator for the Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana program and Jaclyn Kratzer will be the new coordinator for the Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania program. Welcome aboard ladies! We all wish you success with your pageants.

Ida Esh’t has good news to report about the MWA National Pageant DVD. This year, everyone who ordered a pageant DVD will get two discs. One will have the Friday night platform speeches. The other will show the crowning ceremony. Final editing is almost complete and Ida hopes to have them ready to distribute by the end of December. What a great holiday present that will be.

Judy Hoit (MWIA) has asked us to tell all coordinators that the MWIA website address has changed. Instead of www.myarkpark.com, you can visit www.judyhoit.com. If you have a state website, please send the address to Denise DiNoto. Once your website is approved for content, it will be added to the Ms. Wheelchair America website.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Board of Directors met November 17 & 18 for the annual meeting. A summary of the meeting will be sent to all coordinators in January, so watch for more information in the new year.

News from Autumn Grant, MWA 2007

At the beginning of November, I had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the judging table for the Ms Wheelchair Maryland pageant. I definitely believe that competing is easier than judging. Congratulations to Robert Watson and all the other state coordinators who held successful pageants in November. I was also fortunate enough to get a sneak peak at the hotel for the 2008 Ms Wheelchair America pageant; you will not be disappointed. Mid-month I had the pleasure of dining with our own Denise DiNoto at the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program “Hot to Trot” gala; great company, great food, great music. This is the second year that Ms. Wheelchair America has been invited to participate in an event benefitting this wonderful program that provides therapy for many kids with disabilities. On Thanksgiving my fiance, Kenny, and I braved the cold, the rain and 30 New York City blocks to experience the 80th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I also had my first celebrity sighting that day, as we were seated just 2 tables away from Donny Osmond and his family for lunch! Wishing all of you a joyous and peaceful holiday season.

Swap and Share

Last month’s question came from Denise Woodilla, MWCT coordinator. In case you don’t remember, the question was:

Our state program here in CT is brand new. Do other coordinators have suggestions for how to promote a brand new state program?

Unfortunately, we did not get any responses to the question, so we are going to run it again. Do you have a suggestion for Denise that you would like to share with your fellow coordinators? Or, do you have a helpful hint to pass along? Please send either to Denise DiNoto at director@mswheelchairamerica.org. Look for follow-up in next month’s Swap and Share!

Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 in Maryland

Once again this year, Dreams, Inc. will be sponsoring a one day trade show during the week of the national pageant. An added feature at this year’s trade show will be a “Coordinator’s Corner.” This will give coordinators a chance to spotlight some of their activities at the national pageant. So, start thinking about what you might want to promote or share with others this summer. For more information, please contact Judy Hoit (MWIA).

Finally….a note from the ED

Wow- another year has gone by and the holidays will soon be here. As I look back over the past 12 months, I am so excited by the new growth that Ms. Wheelchair America has experienced. And there are more new changes to come in the new year too. The MWA Board of Directors Annual Fall Meeting resulted in several new ideas to help the program continue growing to all 50 states. Won’t it be great when that happens?! We are working on a summary of all the Board Meeting ideas and will send that to you after the holiday season. Many of the ideas came directly from coordinator feedback, which we always enjoy receiving. Look for more to come as Ms. Wheelchair America prepares for the 35th Annual Pageant.

On a more personal note, I hope all of you have a blessed and happy holiday season, and a new year filled with peace, love and joy. Happy Holidays to you and yours!