Both Tammy Wilber (State Coordinator) and I are former Shiner's patients, and I was so pleased to see how far research has come to help children and their families heal. Your tireless efforts to help children are selfless and beautiful. I am so glad you will be able to continue your work. The tour of the hospital with Doug from Rocklyn Medical, Tammy Wilber and myself, was enlightening and thank you so much for your time! 
To Doug and Robin and the folks at Rocklyn, thanks for the wonderful welcome lunch. Your staff was amazingly welcoming and food, well, the chicken salad was the best. You are truly a company who puts the customer first and promotes independence. The Harley ride was a dream come true, it was better than I can ever imagine running to be. The countryside was beautiful and the bike....WOW!
I was invited by Rocklyn Medical Supply, Inc. to come and speak to their staff about my role as Ms. Wheelchair Washington. Tammy Wilber, the State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair Washington works for Rocklyn Medical Supply, as the Northwest Sales representative and it was so great to meet who she is working for.
The opening ceremony was moving and made me swell with American pride. Veterans, you sense of independence and victory was felt by every onlooker who came to cheer you on. Even the National Anthem held fresh meaning for me as it played. You march into the convention center is what freedom is all about; in spite of numerous obstacles you have pressed forward and demanded nothing but the best from yourselves as veterans and as Americans.
TILITE WHEELCHAIRS
During the week I am privileged to spend the work day as a Mobilization and Deployment Specialist for the US Army at Fort Lewis, Washington. I see Soldiers prepare for deployment to the Middle East. They willingly separate themselves from their families and friends all for a cause and a call of duty. Often, I see Soldiers as they return at the deployment cycle's end happy to be on American soil and prepare for a homecoming often full of love, joy and the lives they left behind. Recent involvement with the Paralyzed Veterans has opened my eyes how far the arm of service reaches and takes hold of the image we hold dear: the image of the self and how we perceive it and use it to change the world. Over four days in Spokane, I marveled at the strength and humor and determination of service members who rose to the challenges of disability and displayed amazing athletic ability and patriotism. During the Expo, I enjoyed meeting veterans and smiling for pictures with America's finest heroes. To the Vets I greeted, thank you for sharing your stories. You make me proud to be an American and an American with a disability. Your years of struggle have cleared a path for individuals with disabilities who desired a place of meaning and significance in this magnificent country. Your supportive friends and family deserve recognition as well, the community of people with disabilities would not have progressed without your courage. So many veterans asked for a photo with me, I have to admit I was befuddled. I felt instead, that I should be asking for a photo with you; my real life, flesh and blood heroes.
It was a great pleasure to speak at Saint Joseph-Saint John Episcopal Church, (Lakewood, Wash.) this last Sunday. I am grateful for the opportunity to address my desire to encourage others to achieve confidence and inspire others. I consider it a joy to share my story. I have learned many individuals may be facing an obstacle or challenge in their own personal journey. Often, it all about how we see that challenge, perhaps it is an opportunity in disguise! What a beautiful, sunny day it was! Thank you to Mother Gail and Father Rich. Your kind hearts and open arms allowed me to speak from the heart. Your congregation’s listening ears and giving spirits have spurred me on as continue on the path to Ms. Wheelchair America this August. Your generosity will not soon be forgotten. Many thanks.
On Saturday, May 30, 2009 community members gathered at Oberlin Church in Steilacoom to bid on auction items, listen to live music and sample delicious desserts during Taste the Sweet Life: a fundraiser for my expenses related to participating in Ms. Wheelchair America in Rapid City South Dakota.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday set aside for the United State of America to commemorate all the men and women who have died while in the military service. We are reminded to take a moment to remember the people who have served our country, and pay tribute because without them we would not have the freedom we have.
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Read the article that was published about Jannette in the Northwest Guardian, the official Newspaper of Fort Lewis, WA. Fort Lewis employee wins wheelchair crown: http://www.nwguardian.com/103/story/4729.html
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Mindy Lindstrom- 1st Runner Up Mindy Lindstrom, who has congenital absence of the lower limbs, is from Seattle, WA. She describes herself as joyful, agile, able, concerned and inquisitive. Her platform is called The Ableution, which she describes as a disability revolution, a critical evolution and savvy shift of a collective community. The ableution will create a space to tell stories and share experiences of critical and often overlooked human experience. If she becomes the next Ms. Wheelchair Washington, she says she would work in the schools and education arenas of my local community in order to facilitate real conversation about the experiences of disability, different bodied life, and wheelchairs!
Jacqueline Adams, who become a paraplegic from a car crash is from Omak, WA. She describes herself proactive, positive, professional, compassionate, and courageous. Her platform is called “Changing the World One Child at a Time.” Since she has been a first grade teacher for over ten years, she wants to to be a positive role model to children and continue to teach them to open their minds and eyes to an awareness and acceptance beyond most adults. She wants to show families that as an educator she can enrich many children’s lives through education and her personal life experience. One day she would also like to write a book about her life story, so she can help others push themselves through life’s many challenges, to see that everyone deserves success and happiness – no matter what happens in their life.Krystal Monteros, who has Spina Bifida is from Tacoma, WA. She describes herself as successful, determined, enthusiastic, compassionate, and self-motivated. Her platform is called KidsAbility and if she becomes Ms. Wheelchair Washington, she wants to spend time educating kids with disabilities in Washington State to reach their best quality life. As a child who had a different type of childhood due to her disability, Krystal often felt isolated from her classmates. She feels it is important for children with disabilities to have role models at a young age. She wants to be a mentor to children so they all know that while they might be different, they also have many options to do everything they want in life.
I can’t believe the year passed so quickly – it’s really true that time flies when you’re having fun! I am excited to be involved in the upcoming pageant and know that whoever is crowned is in for an experience of a lifetime. Thank you to all of the people who supported me both financially and emotionally and I look forward to offering the same support to the 2009 Ms. Wheelchair Washington. It was such an exciting year for me! Once crowned in March I had no idea what wonderful opportunities this title would open up for me. At work my diversity efforts expanded to such an extent that I was able to promote the organizations I volunteered with to an even greater level of recognition. My title afforded me the opportunity to go to Washington DC to represent Washington’s 60,000 people with disabilities as I met with senators and representatives to give a face to my community and support improvements to a Medicare program.
“Being apart of the Ms. Wheelchair America Program, as the 2007 Ms. Wheelchair Washington has been a year that I will never forget. Not only was it an honor to be able to be a representative for people with disabilities, but I also was able to educate people across Washington state about various disability issues. I hope that I was able to leave a lasting impression on all the people I met this past year, and opened their eyes to look past someone’s disability and see them for the person that they truly are. It was for me one of the best experiences ever.” Sigrid Laegreid, Ms Wheelchair Washington 2007
“I was one of 3 contestants in the 2008 Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant. Even though it was a small competition, it was a bit challenging due to the fact I had never done anything like it before. But everyone involved, including the "spectators" made it comfortable and relaxing. We all had a lot of fun. We met new people just like us in the sense we all have mobility issues and even though it may have been for different reasons, we all felt "the same" for a while. It was nice. The pageant itself was not hard at all. You were asked to go in and answer a few general questions to get to know you better, then you went out and told the spectators pretty much the same things and answered a few of their questions. I found it to be simple and straight forward. The winner, Meg Paulson, was a great choice. I was glad to have met her and all the others there that day. Being a part of the Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant was a wonderful experience I will never forget.” ~ Sawnie J. Geer, 2008 Ms. Wheelchair Washington Contestant
Hello All,
