Scrapbook - scroll down to view ALL photo's
Cathy, Nancy & Juliette
Cathy & Barbara (1st Runner Up)
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2007
Jason, Cathy & Dusty
Cathy (daughter) & Cathy
Norwegian Jewel Cruise 2008
W.E.A.N. Self-Esteem Workshop for Girls 13-18 with Disabilities
Governor O'Malley signing the ADA documents
Sheila, Rich Solli (MTA Mgr of Certification, Customer Service & Communications) & Cathy
Cathy, Denise, Nancy, Renee
& Janice
Graduates of the Self-Esteem Workshop
ADA "YESTERDAYTODAYTOMORROW" Celebration in Annapolis, MD with Governor O'Malley
W.E.A.N. Queen for a Day
2009
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2010
Sheila, Nancy, Juliette & Cathy
Sheila, Brittany, Juliette & Cathy
Shannon Minnick
Ms. Wheelchair MD 2010
SHEILA SHANNON ANNETTE CHELSEA
Niki Swann was crowned Ms. Wheelchair VA 2010-2011
Niki Swann from Heathsville was crowned Ms. Wheelchair VA 2010-2011 on March 27th at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, VA. Niki also won Ms. Congeniality.
Niki is 23 years old and resides in Midlothian, VA. She has used her wheelchair since the age of 16 when she suffered a spinal cord injury due to a motor vehicle accident. She is earning her Masters in English Literature at VCU and teaches composition at Rappahannock Community College.
Her Platform: Breaking Down Sterotypes to Build Opportunities.
Her Motto of Inspiration: Accept No Boundaries.
Photos: Ms. Wheelchair VA Program
The programs theme "Celebrate Life" showcased the accomplishments of seven remarkable women who have overcome challenges and obstacles to achieve and accomplish great success.
First runner up: India Simms from Crozet
Second runner up: Stephanie Coleman from Green Bay
Scholarship Award: Lindsay Spatz from Charlottesville
As the Author of My Sister My Hero Cathy Porter Ms. Wheelchair 2007 and the Richmond Disability Examiner, I had the honor of being one of three judges.
Judges: Kelly Narowski, former Ms. Wheelchair Missouri 2001 and government contractor providing safety briefings to the United States Army Soldiers and Aaron Chilton, Executive Manager with Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing.
Ms. Wheelchair Virginia (501(c) (3) is the largest Ms. Wheelchair state program in the country. It was an event to remember for the contestants, the guests as well as the judges.
Judges: Kelly Narowski, Nancy Carey & Aaron Chilton
Photo: Amber Hooker
HOSTESS of the Ms. Wheelchair VA 2010-2011
Miss Virginia 2009 Chinah Helmandollar
Chinah is a 23 year old graduate of James Madison University where she earned a degree in theatre.
Chinah's platfrom: Serving Virginians with Disabilities and the Children's Miracle Network.
As Ms. Virginia, she will travel 20,000 miles across Virginia sharng her message and entertaining.
Nancy Carey, Chinah Helmandollar and Amber Hooker
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2011 is CROWNED
Five women with determination, confidence and a mission converged on the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, MD to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair MD 2010.
Women who, everyday, raise the bar for people with disabilities. No longer are they content with the status quo - they are rolling out of their comfort zone to uncharted territories.
Patrina Franklin
Sheila Whitaker
Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes
Kimberly Jordan-Gaskins
Annette Ingram
It was a great event. And from this picture, they had a great time at the costume party.
Dressed for the crowning - these ladies looked FABULOUS!
Cathy Porter, Northern Coordinator for the Ms. Wheelchair MD Pageant, enjoyed her photo shoot and was proud of Sheila Whitaker and Patrina Franklin whom she prepared for the competion.
It was a tough competition -- each women brought her A+ game to the table, but Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes took the title of Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011. Sharonda is married with two children, a business women and advocate for disabled adults.
Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchiar MD 2004 and Ms. Wheelchair America 2005 offered her congratulations!
Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes
Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011
Virginia Victory Games
Since I accepted the challenge to write as the Richmond Disability Examiner, I've been asked to participate in events, and for the Virginia Victory Games, as a Welcome Address speaker with Niki Swann, Ms. Wheelchair VA 2010.
Participants of the 31st Annual Virginia Victory Games took home more than the gold medals, they took home higher self-esteen and confidence. Twenty-seven athletics converged on St. Christopher School eager to show Richmond they were competitors in the games of 60 Meters, 200 Meters, Wheelchair Slalom, Standing Long Jump, Short Put, Club Throw, Softball Throw and Bowling.
Niki Swann, Ms. Wheelchair VA 2010 enjoyed the day sharing photo ops with some famous people:
Niki Headley, Nashville Recording Artist and Ronald McDonald.
The particpants continually gathered around Niki for a photo op -- and rightly so, she is a lovely lady who proudly represented Virginia through her reign.
Brittany Meyer, in addition to receiving many gold medals, was the recipient of the James Geter Sprit Award for the participant who showed the best spirit. And another contestant received a special KISS by his volunteer aid.
It was a great event -- and this Richmond Disabilty Examiner had a great time.
W.E.A.N. Queen for a Day at the Women's Expo - Catonsville, MD
From Virginia to Maryland I travel to attend events. And once again, I returned to the W.E.A.N. Queen for a Day event with Cathy and Sheila. In all regards, it was a perfect day from beginning to end.
A day of QUEENS indeed:
Ms. Wheelchair Mayland
Ms. Maryland
America Mrs.
Mrs. Maryland
Ms. West Virginia Teen
Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011
Add to these queens, all the great ladies that came out for a day of pampering, including Cathy and Sheila.
America Mrs. from New Jersey was the official "crowner" for the event.
As the pictures show -- they wore their crowns with pride!!!
The vendors and guests watched as each queen received her crown!
Janice Jackson, Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes and Cathy Porter
Sheila Whitaker displaying Cathy's THUMBS UP!
Who has the BIGGER crown?
America Mrs.
No event would be possible without the help of
VOLUNTEERS (including this one behind the camera!)
Connections 2011 Fair
Children's Science Museum
Connections 2011 Fair for children and youth with special needs and their families. This event showcased the products and services for families and professionals connected with children with special needs.
I attended this event last year and met wonderful people with great resources for the disability community. And this year I had the honor of meeting Emily McGrail, the new Ms. Wheelchair VA 2011.
Sportable: Virginia Paralympics Experience
Hand Cycling, Track and Field
From Connections 2011 to the Virginia Paralympics Experience, Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, Emily and I had a great day of bonding. Kristen Lessig, Executive Director of Sportable introduced the guest speakers:
- Emily McGrail, Ms. Wheelchair VA 2011
- Polly Sweeny, Special Advisor for the Governor on Disability Issues
- Anjali Forber Pratt, US Paralympian.
Ride-Away of Richmond representative and Emily enjoy the very "chilly" day!
Anjali prepares for the race. She is no stranger to the track:
1999 GOLD MEDAL winner for the Giant Slalom at the Chevy Truck Disabled World Cup in Breckenridge, CO. and Bronze Medalist in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China are just a few of her great accomplishments. She has her "wheels" set on the 2012 London games.
She is ranked among the top three fastest T53 women in the world for the 100 meter, 200 meter and 400 meter events!
Anjali teaches the competitors about the use of hats and gloves.
And for Stephanie Copeland, the secrets of racing.
Emily and the Chick-fil-A Eat Mor Chikn Cow.
Emily and Stephanie Copeland, 2nd runner-up at the Ms. Wheelchair VA 2011 Pageant. Contestants remain friends after the pageant is over.
Racing bikes for different levels of disabilites.
It was a great event -- a bit on the chilly and wet side, but the experience was worth the weather. Due to the WIND and RAIN, these great competitors were not able to compete in the race, but they rolled away with GOLD MEDALS of triumph for their determination to participate.
The participants proved "Disabled Does Not Mean Unable" and the volunteers, vendors, family and friends - including this Richmond Disability Examiner, enjoyed a day viewing great triumphs over adversity.
I had a great time at the event. Anjali and Stephanie are women of strength. Both overcame their disability and are incredible role models to the world!
Special Guest
5th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival - Short Pump Mall
October 8th was a beautiful day in Richmond. Emily shared her achievements, resources and great gifts for the attendees.
The children loved her cute animal notepads.
The Miracles in Motion Dance Team performed for the attendees and shoppers at Short Pump Mall.
Provides residential living for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who can live indepently with support.
I had the privledge of interviewing Leslie B. Hundley, Excutive Director and Ed Wren, eight year resident. It was an informative interview with Ed as my tour guide. His social, communication and behavior skills were impressive as he shared the history of Richmond House (www.richmondhouse.org).
Ed shared the Richmond House scrapbook with me. He knew names, dates and the details of every picture.
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2012
Contestants gathered from across Maryland to compete in the ...
Ms. Wheelchair MD
2012 Pageant
Lades of courage -- these incredible women rolled across their threshhold of "rejection" to offer their advocacy outreach to the state of Maryland.
And the winner is ....
Courtney Wallace
Courtney poses with Robert Watson, President of the Ms. Wheelchair MD Pageant program and Sheila Whitaker,1st Runner-up.
Courtney is a Life Coach and is the CEO of InsideOut Entertainment.
Courtney also shares a photo op with her family and ...
Juliette Rizzo
Ms. Wheelchair MD 2004
Ms. Wheelchair America 2005
Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes
Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011
Sharonda shared her final thoughts on her reign. As Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011, Sharonda traveled the state raising awareness of the issues people with disabilities face every day.
Every pageant has its moments: Both Juliette Rizzo and Sheila Whitaker wore shoes with ARTWORK on the bottom.
The Ms. Wheelchair MD previous title holders share their insight and wisdom with Courtney. As Ms. Wheelchair MD 2012, Courtney will carry the torch that each of the previous titleholders held to educate their state on disability issues. Chick here to learn about the Ms. Wheelchair MD Pageant.
Sheila, Michelle and Cathy enjoy a special moment at the pageant. Michelle is Cathy's amazing aid and women with a heart for the disabled.
