Sponsor me for Ms. Wheelchair Maryland!!

Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues:
Eight years ago, I spent a semester living in Maryland while pursuing an internship with the Smithsonian. I met a host of wonderful people who changed my life, mostly for the better. One of these people was Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, Juliette Rizzo. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Rizzo for a portfolio project I was to complete for my internship. During the interview, she turned to me and told me "You should run for the title." Astonished, I balked. Surely, she couldn't have meant me? However, her words stayed with me.

Eight years (and one major move) later, I am, once again, a resident of Maryland, and I am ready to try for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Maryland.

The mission of Miss Wheelchair Maryland is to provide an opportunity for women who are wheelchair users to educate and advocate for the more than 54 million Americans living with disabilities. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, this is not a contest to select the most attractive individual, instead judges crown the woman that will represent the disability community at large based on their past advocacy, achievements, goals, communication skills and their ability to professionally deliver their topic of focus/platform in regards to the needs of persons with disabilities.

As a student, a teacher, and a person who has dealt with lifelong disability, I am no stranger to self-advocacy. I am now ready to take my self advocacy on the road and really make a difference in the lives of my fellow Marylanders who also deal with challenges.

The pageant is on November 1, 2013. Through a recent turn-of-events, I have been offered the chance to apply and run for the upcoming year. This means I have one month to prepare a platform, write and rehearse a speech, and raise the money to enter the competition. The entry fee of $300 goes towards supporting the good work the pageant does in promoting and empowering people with physical disabilities. Any donation you are able to make would be greatly appreciated, as I strive to reach my goal of being the best self-and-community-advocate I can be! :-)

I thank you for your consideration and support.

--Carolyn--

For more about the pageant: http://www.ms-wheelchair-md.com/

For more about me: http://rehabworks.org/carolyn_diaz.shtml