Individual journeys lead to Ms. Wheelchair America competition

[Guest guest]

Rolling, rocking for top title: Individual journeys lead to Ms.

Wheelchair America competition

http://www.timesdispatch.com/

BY JESSICA WAMBACH TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Jul 27, 2004

Like many women across the country, Pam of sville has worked

hard to wrap her life around a disability. And, like 25 other women,

has come to Richmond this week to compete for the title of Ms.

Wheelchair America.

In 2001, suffered a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident

that rendered her paraplegic. " I do have days when the physical takes

over the mind, " said. " But I have never been depressed, I have

never been down. It has created a desire in me to just strengthen my

faith, or just to dig deeper. "

By digging deeper, , 39, has accomplished much. She has a doctorate

in education administration and serves as coordinator for the Piedmont

Tech Prep Consortium, where she plans activities among Henry

Community College, high schools, businesses and other community

interests. She was a competitive gymnast and dedicated athlete for years

before she was injured. She's surrounded by a large, close-knit family.

But what she's most proud of at the moment is representing Virginia in

the Ms. Wheelchair America competition, which starts today in Richmond.

This year's theme is " United We Roll - Together We Rock. "

, who won the state title in March, believes that the presence of

the national competition here speaks to the dedication the state

organization's staff has put into the program in recent years. Though

the national organization was created 32 years ago, the state's program

was defunct for 15 years until 2000.

" I think it's a bold statement about the reputation throughout the

country that Virginia has developed for helping the disabled community, "

she said.

Most people in the organization point to Wayne Sale, who is president of

Health First, a home medical equipment company, as the man who brought

Virginia's Ms. Wheelchair program out of the ashes and got it started again.

Sale, who now serves as chairman for Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, said

because the program's goals are to highlight the achievements and

abilities of women with disabilities, its importance for contestants is

obvious.

" It takes them from the back seat of the bus to the front steps of the

Capitol, " Sale said.

Even though the Ms. Wheelchair America program is about much more than a

crown on Saturday night, winning the title hasn't escaped the thoughts

of the contestants, who range in age from 21 to 54 and come from 25

states and the District of Columbia.

Contestants are judged on academic, vocational and personal successes,

communication skills and self-perception. All are important elements,

Sale said, since the winner will be an ambassador and an advocate for

people with disabilities around the country for the next year.

" This program introduces these people to a higher calling, " Sale said.

" The people who are disabled today will pave the way and will allow

people who are 70 years old, 80 years old in a wheelchair to go on with

their lives. "

Contestants have been eager to come to Richmond for an experience that,

like many in their lives, wouldn't be possible if they didn't have

disabilities.

Kirby, who represents South Carolina, was born with spina

bifida, grew up in Texas, and served for years as poster child for

Shriners Hospitals for Children there.

Among her favorite moments was when country musician Rex Jr. made

a surprise visit to her San Angelo home.

Kirby had met at a telethon and had been invited to attend one of

his concerts. Kirby, then 6, broke her hip shortly before the concert

and wasn't able to attend. When her parents called the concert hall with

the bad news, the information was passed on to .

" After the concert, he flew in a helicopter to my house and parked it in

the street, " Kirby said, still giggling at the recollection.

The musician came in the house, sat with Kirby on her living room couch

and talked and sang for her all night.

" I was a pretty happy little girl, " Kirby said.

Michele Leahy, Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania, can relate.

Leahy, now 31, was born with spina bifida and later developed a form of

muscular dystrophy.

Leahy grew up Catholic in West Philadelphia. At age 23, she was hit by a

tow truck.

Feeling discouraged, Leahy traveled to Italy to visit some childhood

friends and attend a papal Mass. Halfway through the Mass, a pair of

Swiss guards unexpectedly carried her up the stairs to receive a special

blessing from the pope.

" It felt like a blanket of peace was draped over me, " she said.

Despite a language barrier, the message in the pope's blessing was clear

to her.

" It was just the most awe-inspiring experience of my life, " she said.

Ms. Wheelchair land, tte Rizzo, 36, found her inspiration on a

sailboat.

Rizzo was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and several other

diseases when she was 3.

The journey to where she is now - working as director of communication

and media for the office of Special Education and Rehabilitative

Services for the U.S. Department of Education - has been long but exciting.

In December, Rizzo signed up for the Discovery Health Channel's National

Body Challenge aimed at helping Americans adopt healthier lifestyles.

One thing led to another and in March she was flown to Florida for a

Discovery Channel photo shoot and a chance to do something she'd been

dreaming of for years - sail a boat.

When she arrived, she discovered that the place where she would be

sailing was just minutes away from the place where her disability was

first discovered.

" In the same place where I lost everything, 33 years later I left my

disability at the dock and sailed solo in the Atlantic Ocean, " she said.

" It was the most liberating experience. "

But it wasn't all smooth. While she was struggling to learn the tricks

of maneuvering the boat's tiller to steer, she took a swing in the wrong

direction and came within a foot of a Swiss Olympic sailing team practice.

Oops.

" It leveled the playing field, " she said with an embarrassed laugh.

For Rizzo, that experience and the many others she considers blessings,

are all proof that women like herself and the other 25 contestants at

Ms. Wheelchair America this week have a voice and can make a difference

for people with disabilities around the country.

" We can still rock that boat, " she said.

[Guest guest]

Steve just heard on the news that tte Rizzo, Miss Wheelchair

land (JRA), won the competition! Congratulations to tte!!

Liz

Individual journeys lead to Ms. Wheelchair America

competition

Rolling, rocking for top title: Individual journeys lead to Ms.

Wheelchair America competition

http://www.timesdispatch.com/

BY JESSICA WAMBACH TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Jul 27, 2004

Like many women across the country, Pam of sville has worked

hard to wrap her life around a disability. And, like 25 other women,

has come to Richmond this week to compete for the title of Ms.

Wheelchair America.

In 2001, suffered a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident

that rendered her paraplegic. " I do have days when the physical takes

over the mind, " said. " But I have never been depressed, I have

never been down. It has created a desire in me to just strengthen my

faith, or just to dig deeper. "

By digging deeper, , 39, has accomplished much. She has a doctorate

in education administration and serves as coordinator for the Piedmont

Tech Prep Consortium, where she plans activities among Henry

Community College, high schools, businesses and other community

interests. She was a competitive gymnast and dedicated athlete for years

before she was injured. She's surrounded by a large, close-knit family.

But what she's most proud of at the moment is representing Virginia in

the Ms. Wheelchair America competition, which starts today in Richmond.

This year's theme is " United We Roll - Together We Rock. "

, who won the state title in March, believes that the presence of

the national competition here speaks to the dedication the state

organization's staff has put into the program in recent years. Though

the national organization was created 32 years ago, the state's program

was defunct for 15 years until 2000.

" I think it's a bold statement about the reputation throughout the

country that Virginia has developed for helping the disabled community, "

she said.

Most people in the organization point to Wayne Sale, who is president of

Health First, a home medical equipment company, as the man who brought

Virginia's Ms. Wheelchair program out of the ashes and got it started

again.

Sale, who now serves as chairman for Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, said

because the program's goals are to highlight the achievements and

abilities of women with disabilities, its importance for contestants is

obvious.

" It takes them from the back seat of the bus to the front steps of the

Capitol, " Sale said.

Even though the Ms. Wheelchair America program is about much more than a

crown on Saturday night, winning the title hasn't escaped the thoughts

of the contestants, who range in age from 21 to 54 and come from 25

states and the District of Columbia.

Contestants are judged on academic, vocational and personal successes,

communication skills and self-perception. All are important elements,

Sale said, since the winner will be an ambassador and an advocate for

people with disabilities around the country for the next year.

" This program introduces these people to a higher calling, " Sale said.

" The people who are disabled today will pave the way and will allow

people who are 70 years old, 80 years old in a wheelchair to go on with

their lives. "

Contestants have been eager to come to Richmond for an experience that,

like many in their lives, wouldn't be possible if they didn't have

disabilities.

Kirby, who represents South Carolina, was born with spina

bifida, grew up in Texas, and served for years as poster child for

Shriners Hospitals for Children there.

Among her favorite moments was when country musician Rex Jr. made

a surprise visit to her San Angelo home.

Kirby had met at a telethon and had been invited to attend one of

his concerts. Kirby, then 6, broke her hip shortly before the concert

and wasn't able to attend. When her parents called the concert hall with

the bad news, the information was passed on to .

" After the concert, he flew in a helicopter to my house and parked it in

the street, " Kirby said, still giggling at the recollection.

The musician came in the house, sat with Kirby on her living room couch

and talked and sang for her all night.

" I was a pretty happy little girl, " Kirby said.

Michele Leahy, Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania, can relate.

Leahy, now 31, was born with spina bifida and later developed a form of

muscular dystrophy.

Leahy grew up Catholic in West Philadelphia. At age 23, she was hit by a

tow truck.

Feeling discouraged, Leahy traveled to Italy to visit some childhood

friends and attend a papal Mass. Halfway through the Mass, a pair of

Swiss guards unexpectedly carried her up the stairs to receive a special

blessing from the pope.

" It felt like a blanket of peace was draped over me, " she said.

Despite a language barrier, the message in the pope's blessing was clear

to her.

" It was just the most awe-inspiring experience of my life, " she said.

Ms. Wheelchair land, tte Rizzo, 36, found her inspiration on a

sailboat.

Rizzo was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and several other

diseases when she was 3.

The journey to where she is now - working as director of communication

and media for the office of Special Education and Rehabilitative

Services for the U.S. Department of Education - has been long but

exciting.

In December, Rizzo signed up for the Discovery Health Channel's National

Body Challenge aimed at helping Americans adopt healthier lifestyles.

One thing led to another and in March she was flown to Florida for a

Discovery Channel photo shoot and a chance to do something she'd been

dreaming of for years - sail a boat.

When she arrived, she discovered that the place where she would be

sailing was just minutes away from the place where her disability was

first discovered.

" In the same place where I lost everything, 33 years later I left my

disability at the dock and sailed solo in the Atlantic Ocean, " she said.

" It was the most liberating experience. "

But it wasn't all smooth. While she was struggling to learn the tricks

of maneuvering the boat's tiller to steer, she took a swing in the wrong

direction and came within a foot of a Swiss Olympic sailing team

practice.

Oops.

" It leveled the playing field, " she said with an embarrassed laugh.

For Rizzo, that experience and the many others she considers blessings,

are all proof that women like herself and the other 25 contestants at

Ms. Wheelchair America this week have a voice and can make a difference

for people with disabilities around the country.

" We can still rock that boat, " she said.

[Guest guest]

Yes! Congratulations to tte. Here's some more on this story, about

the young woman who's had Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was

three years old, and also scleroderma and fibromyalgia.

Aloha,

Georgina

land woman crowned Ms. Wheelchair America

http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=2116458 & ClientType=Printable

RICHMOND, Virgina The new Ms. Wheelchair America is tte Rizzo of

land, who topped contestants from 24 other states and Washington, D-C.

Rizzo wins the right to represent the achievements of women with

disabilities. The Rockville woman will travel the country for the next

year as an advocate for the more than 50 (m) million Americans with

disabilities.

Event organizers say Rizzo got a systemic infection when she was three,

resulting in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and fibromyalgia.

But she earned a Master's Degree in journalism from the University of

North Texas and is now director of communication and media for the

Education Department in the office of special education and

rehabilitative services.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Program is open to women 21 to 60 who use a

wheelchair for daily mobility.

Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may

not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

liz smith wrote:

> Steve just heard on the news that tte Rizzo, Miss Wheelchair

> land (JRA), won the competition! Congratulations to tte!!

>

> Liz

>

> Individual journeys lead to Ms. Wheelchair America

> competition

>

> Rolling, rocking for top title: Individual journeys lead to Ms.

> Wheelchair America competition

> http://www.timesdispatch.com/