Posted on August 22, 2022
Ms. Wheelchair America Crowns Winner After Week-Long Competition
Congratulations to this year’s competitors vying for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America. These 21 powerful, inspiring women traveled from across the United States to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and came together for a national competition.
Following the week-long competition, Ali Ingersoll of Raleigh, North Carolina, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2023. Ingersoll sustained a spinal cord injury following a diving accident twelve years ago. She currently works as a day trader who also assists people in becoming self-advocates and navigating the potentially-daunting process of health insurance appeals.
Ms. Michigan, Sarah Nassar of Dearborn, took second place, while state titleholders Ms. South Carolina, Ms. Arizona and Ms. Pennsylvania rounded out the top five.
While traditional pageants are becoming less about physical appearances, Ms. Wheelchair America has been unique in its qualifications since its inception. It’s a competition based on advocacy, achievement and presentation. For 50 years, this grassroots competition has been crowning a spokeswoman to serve and represent the millions of people with disabilities.
After the event was canceled in 2020, Mary Free Bed stepped in to help take the traditionally in-person event virtual in 2021. This year, the Mary Free Bed Guild – no stranger to women on a mission – was honored to support Ms. Wheelchair America competition as the event’s lead sponsor.
During the week-long event, the women participated in workshops on leadership training, self-care and advocacy. Mary Free Bed led two of those workshops, one on wheelchair and adaptive sports and another on spinal cord injury and sexual health.
Beyond the unique learning experiences, contestants had the opportunity to forge new alliances. They loved the new sisterhood they formed with a diverse group of likeminded women. New friendships were made during meals and events together. Events also included a city-wide scavenger hunt and a themed dance.
The final two nights of the competition took place front of a live audience and livestreamed across the United States. Friday’s Speech Night featured platform speeches from all 21 contestants. Saturday’s crowning gala introduced the top five contestants before the judges’ scores were tallied, and Ingersoll was crowned.
As Ms. Wheelchair America, Ingersoll will have numerous duties – including promoting awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, informing the able-bodied public of the achievements of the millions of people with disabilities across the nation, and assisting with the establishment of programs in all 50 states.
You can view both events at the Mary Free Bed Facebook page:
Saturday Night’s Crowning Gala
Special awards were given out on the final night, including:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Ms. New Jersey, Lea Donaghy
Nicki Ard Achievement Award – Ms. Texas, Kristy Durso
Outstanding Speech Award – Ms. South Carolina, Tatianna Davis
People’s Choice Award – Ms. North Carolina, Ali Ingersoll
Congeniality Award – Ms. Georgia, Alesha Savannah
Rising Star Award – Ms. Kansas, Marci Clare, and Ms. Oregon, Melinda Preciado
Most Promising Award – Ms. Maryland, Kisha Stover
The Mary Free Bed Guild Hope and Freedom Award – Ms. Michigan, Sarah Nassar
“All the Ms. Wheelchair America contestants play a critical role in the hope, freedom, and success of those who are wheelchair users,” said Amy Stuursma, president of the Mary Free Bed Guild. “We thank you for your commitment to achievement and success for all.”
About Ms. Wheelchair America
Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc. is a non-profit organization that relies solely on the dedication and hard work of volunteers all across the country, fundraising by contestants, and the help of local sponsors. While many pageants are now becoming less about beauty and appearance and more about a woman’s acumen, Ms. Wheelchair America has built a unique tradition of focusing on women’s accomplishments and advocacy since 1972.
Learn more via the Ms. Wheelchair America website.
