As a wheelchair user, I sometimes “stand” out in a crowd. I do not particularly enjoy this experience because I wish others had a deeper reason to know who I am. However, 13 years ago, I embraced the attention I received as a wheelchair user by running to be a public advocate for individuals with disabilities.
It is called the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa program, formally the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa pageant. The name was changed in 2019 because it has nothing to do with physical beauty. Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa program centers around advocacy and positive influencers in the community.
I first learned about the opportunity while participating in the Youth Leadership Forum. The forum is a leadership training program for high school students with disabilities. The students who are chosen to participate demonstrate leadership potential, involvement in extracurricular activities, etc. It is sponsored by the Office of Persons with Disabilities and partners with the Department for the Blind and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
I met Ms. Wheelchair Iowa 2008, Ashley Brickley (Lerch), at this 5-day event. Ashley spoke about her experiences as the current titleholder. I eventually had the pleasure to interview Ashley and write a story about her reign, which was published in an Iowa State University magazine that I wrote for. She provided insight into being a working professional and active citizen. Ashley became a role model to me because the ambitions she presented were similar to my own. I was eventually contacted by the state coordinator of the program. Ashley encouraged me to apply, and I ended up winning the title.
I was crowned as Ms. Wheelchair Iowa in 2010, and I had several great experiences during my year-long reign. I was very surprised and excited when I won the competition. The appearances were fun and hopefully beneficial to the audience. Some appearances, which stuck out to me included being a guest at the car racing track called the Iowa Speedway, throwing out the first pitch at a Sioux City Explorers baseball game, and attending an Iowa Cubs baseball game. In my role as Ms. Wheelchair Iowa, I also spoke at the Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown High School, and Marshalltown Public Library, among other appearances. My speeches focused on the reality that individuals with disabilities can make a positive impact by contributing to society in a variety of ways. Their influence does not necessarily have to be disability related. For example, I have been able to make an impact in my community through volunteering, working, and completing my bachelor’s degree.
Ms. Wheelchair Iowa is a part of the larger organization, Ms. Wheelchair America. The national competition was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We participated in seminars, social activities, and speeches during the week-long event. Some evenings were themed, and participants were encouraged to dress up as celebrities. On one of the themed nights, I dressed up as Marilyn Monroe, and on another night, I dressed up as Stevie Wonder. The opportunity to network and make friends with other women who used wheelchairs was the best part of the experience for both the state and national competitions. It felt great being around other women wheelchairs users. We could easily relate to each other, share our life stories, and give each other advice on how to navigate through life as a wheelchair user. Plus, we just had fun together! Being with these accomplished women that were in many ways similar to me was something I never experienced. It still is encouraging to me.