Posted on August 20, 2024
Meet the Contestants Vying for the Title of Ms. Wheelchair America
Ms. Wheelchair America is here, and 22 women are competing for the national title and the crown. Each competitor has their own unique story to tell and a platform that they are advocating for.
These contestants are not judged based on outward appearance, but rather on advocacy, achievement, communication, and their presentation. The winner of Ms. Wheelchair America will then be an advocate for people with disabilities all over the country. Now is the time to get to know these wonderful contestants.
One contestant is Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, Briana Williams. She uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury from a car accident. Her platform is, “Chairs in the Community”. Briana works with Pushing Forward, an organization that helps people with spinal cord injuries gain more independence. She also founded “Breezy’s Closet”; a nonprofit that helps provide people with disabilities essential everyday supplies. When she isn’t working hard at these organizations, she loves doing crafts and volunteering at her church.
Next up is Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, Dominique Sessa. She serves as a governor-appointed commissioner on the Maryland Commission on Disabilities. When she was 17, she began using a wheelchair after developing a rare and progressive neuromuscular disorder. Her platform is “Disability Shouldn’t Have a Price Tag”, which focuses on addressing cost barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing the care they need. Dominique started her own website at age 17 to create a platform for other girls using wheelchairs. She also enjoys writing, reading, adaptive arts, and spending time with her loved ones.
Another contestant to know is Ms. Wheelchair Arizona, Sharon Malone. She mentors those with disabilities and educates medical students about what life is like in a wheelchair. Sharon uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury from a car accident. Her platform focuses on safety education for people with disabilities and raising awareness about violence towards people with disabilities. She works with the Arizona Spinal Cord Association, a state-based non-profit that promotes the well-being of people living with spinal cord injuries. She has three children and enjoys scuba diving and camping.
Another great contestant to highlight is Ms. Wheelchair California, Julienne Dallara. She is a writer, podcast producer, interviewer, and artist. In 1996, she woke up with Transverse Myelitis, a condition that left her paralyzed and needing to use a wheelchair. Her platform is titled “The Power of Collaboration” and it focuses on getting more nonprofits to work together. She has lived all over the world doing vastly different careers, including acting, working for the government, landscape architecture, and marketing. Julienne has a husband named Daniel, and two adult children. She also enjoys gardening, painting, and making jewelry.
A few more contestants are:
- Ms. Wheelchair Kansas, Tamara Blackwell, who advocates for accessibility difficulties
- Ms. Wheelchair Oregon, Anne Giffin, who advocates for peer support groups, something that saved her life
- Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Shanta Favors, who advocates to bridge the gap between disabled patients and their care providers
You can have a say in who wins one of the awards at Ms. Wheelchair America, the People’s Choice Award. The community can donate one dollar to cast an entry for their favorite contestant. Voters can also see a short biography about each woman including why they are in a wheelchair, their platform, and more information about them.
Learn more about the People’s Choice Award and cast your vote at: https://www.mwapeopleschoice.com/vote-here
The full competition ends with two events open to the public. Friday night, the contestants deliver their speeches – sharing personal journeys and advocacy platforms. On Saturday, the public can meet the top five participants and see the crowning of the winner. Both events will be livestreamed on the Mary Free Bed Facebook page.
