A successful Ms. Wheelchair program

Dr. Pamela Cobler
Published: May 15, 2008

There had been a lot of planning and preparation for this major event, and we were more prepared this year after having had a program at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fisherville in April. On the weekend of April 11-13, we had our very successful second annual Ms. Wheelchair Virginia Program at WWRC.

Rose Williams of Charlottesville was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2008-2009.

Rose is a published poet/essayist and motivational speaker, and can be found frequently presenting poetry workshops and speeches to various special needs programs. Born with cerebral palsy, Rose lives life to the fullest, and co-chair’s the VSA Arts committee. Recently, the Virginia Board of People with Disabilities honored Rose as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Jackie Crews Award for her advocacy for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities. Rose’s platform for advocacy is “Art opportunities and accessibility and safety in public places.” Her motto is “Find your passion and make it happen.”

Ten contestants were scheduled to participate, but nine came for the weekend. We have noticed that when we have planned these types of events, there are some people who end up having some type of health emergency and cannot participate. This happened last year as well.

The nine participates were wonderful candidates and we were all very pleased with the response. They were required to have a “Table of Life” display, a 10-minute interview with our three judges, give a two-minute speech on stage and do a Q & A on stage after the five finalists were selected. The weekend was also planned with meet and greet meals, sponsor visits, rehearsal (since we officially have a professional producer to produce our program now), a dance, educational workshops about the ADA, finances, health and wellness, and pampering workshops which included optional pampering by hair technicians, nail technicians, and massages. It was a very busy, but fun, weekend.

When I plan an event of this magnitude, I know about the excellence that is expected and required by me and others. Hannah Kiefer, Miss Virginia 2008, performed her ballet for us (the ballet that she did in Miss America where she was third runner-up), we had a professional sound technician helping with music, and we had the Faith Fellowship Singers accompanied by Barry Wilcox (a singer from Virginia Beach). H. Wayne Sale (founder of Ms. Wheelchair Virginia) presented his scholarship.

We had to work with hotels to find accessible accommodations for contestants, emcees (Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005), friends and family, judges (one of which was Angela Wrigglesworth, Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2004), and on and on. To add to planning and preparation, we had to prepare for wheelchair accessible transportation for all who needed it. Some of the wheelchair users needed transportation to the event, and they also needed transportation throughout the weekend. This is something about which many people do not think—rooms and transportation (trains, airplanes, taxis, and vans) for a large number of wheelchair users. Lifts broke and equipment broke, but we managed to accommodate everyone.

Emily McGrail of Radford was 1st runner up, India Sims of Waynesboro was 2nd runner up, and Niki Swann from northern Virginia won the scholarship award. In addition to being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia, Rose Williams was voted Ms. Congeniality by her fellow contestants.

Rose will be competing in the National Ms. Wheelchair America Program July 21-27 in Rockville, Md.

To have Ms. Wheelchair Virginia at your next engagement, become a contestant, to be a sponsor, or for more information please visit mswheelchairva.com .

Dr. Pamela Cobler, 43, was Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2004 and is now president of the organization.  She works for the Piedmont Tech Prep Consortium at Patrick Henry Community College.