Ms. Wheelchair Washington Program: Farewell Speech 2010

This past year as Ms. Wheelchair Washington has been one of many challenges and accomplishments. I was able to challenge myself to go to places and do things that I had never done before. Being given the ability to put my passions and dreams for people living with disabilities into action is something that I will cherish forever. Winning the title of Ms. Wheelchair Washington enabled me to jump start my life journey as an strong advocate for people living with disabilities.

I have many personal goals that I still want to accomplish including making the H.O.P.E.S. Foundation a successful organization. H.O.P.E.S. stands for Helping Others Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. The goals of the H.O.P.E.S. Foundation are the same goals that drove my best friend, Tony McCane, to be the advocate that he was. He passed away from a lung infection less than two months into my reign as Ms. Wheelchair Washington. My entire year was dedicated to him.

If there is anything that I can leave all of you with, it is that just because people have disabilities, does not mean we have limits, and together we are stronger when we empower, encourage and support one another. Limitations need not be an obstacle, yet instead be seen as an opportunity. We all have challenges in life, and it is how we choose to face those challenges that define who we are.

I am looking forward to working with and getting to know the next Ms. Wheelchair Washington! I am so blessed to be permanently involved with this wonderful group of women!

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make my year as Ms. Wheelchair Washington a success that will never be forgotten!

Blessings,

Krystal Monteros

Press Release

“Everyome Deserves a Hassle Free Experience” ~ Nicole Martini, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2016 was born with Spina Bifida in San Diego, CA. She moved to the Seattle area in 2011. She has always had a passion for helping others and has a long history of being involved with her community since childhood. She’s an avid swimmer and is a member of Seattle’s Shadow Seals swim team. Advocating is nothing new for Nicole, as she has spent a lifetime advocating for herself as well as championing adaptive sports involvement. She and her husband, Victor, live in beautiful Woodinville. They enjoy raising their pups, Angel and Peanut, and experiencing Pacific Northwest traditions and festivities. In her current position with Alaska Airlines as a Reservation Agent, Nicole helps many travelers who, like her, are wheelchair users, with questions and ultimately reservations. The calls she enjoys the most are people with accessibility questions, as she knows that not everybody has flown or knows what to expect or ask when it comes to airline travel as a wheelchair user. Nicole Martini’s platform title is “Barrier Free Travel- Fight for Flight”. The ultimate goal of Nicole’s platform is to help champion accessible travel by air, making it as comfortable as possible for everyone, but especially for those with mobility issues that she herself can relate to well with. Nicole looks forward to working one on one with Alaska Airlines, along with educating the public, to do just that!”

If you would like Nicole for an event or speaking engagement please email her at mswheelchairwashington@gmail.com

2016 Ms. Wheelchair Washington

Farewell Speech 2010