The 2009 Ms. Wheelchair America winner is a beautiful and smart blond Michelle Colvard from Houston, Texas. Michelle, the Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2008, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America on July 2008 at the gala ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, Maryland. She obtained her award symbolically on the 18th anniversary of signing of the American with Disability Act (MWA, 2009).
Michelle who is confined to the wheelchair since the 6th grade due to her inborn spina bifida emphasis the importance for people of all abilities to take care of their health and wellness. She earned her Master’s degree in Health and Promotion from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Michelle is a very active young woman, as she keeps herself fit through daily-based gym exercise and recreational activities such as snow skiing, basketball, traveling, and kayaking. She also enjoys MINI Cooper autocross competition racing. Michelle works as the Executive Director of Houston’s Mayor’s Office for people with Disabilities, and she works hard to integrate disabled people well in the society. She stands behind the successful project “Playgrounds without Limits”, which aims to build inclusive playgrounds for all children (MWA, 2009). Despite her handicap, Michell Colvard proves to be an exceptional woman.
Congratulations MWA 2009 Michelle Colvard!. (2008). Ms. Wheelchair America. 01.08.2009. From http://www.mswheelchairamerica.org/news/congratulations-mwa-2009-michelle-colvard/MWA09 Crowning. (2008). YouTube: Broadcast Yourself. 01.08.2009. From
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXZ2ozlVJck
Hello Sona. I am very glad that you wrote your blog about such an important topic. There were many times when I was thinking about disabled people especially those who are wheelchair paralyzed. The old types of buses, trams and trains are not considering the problems they bring to disabled peoples’ lives. There is a time for change and for stop being so ignorant. Your blog is stffed with lots of interesting information and some of those were new to me. I want to thank you for educating me in this topic and for opening my eyes even wider. Your blog helped me to realize there need to be some action taken not just from the side of disabled people but also from wider public. Thank you. Tereza Rehakova
ReplyDeleteHey Sona!
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I would like to thank you for broadening my horizons thanks to this blog because it deals with a rather rare topic that is definitely not in the limelight of public audience and I find the media coverage of disabled people issues very low.
I really like the ideas behind both events you have commented on – the Miss Wheelchair Americas, as well as the initiative and efforts of Louisa Summerfield and her pro-social fashion company “WheelieChix-Chic.” In my opinion, such efforts are laudable and we should applaud them.
I would like to ask you about the situation in the Czech Republic. Do you know about any similar activities? Is there any organization preparing or arranging such events or any designers working on a modern fashion for people on the wheelchairs? Thank you!