Emily Ms Wheelchair NY USA 2016

My Platform motto is "Service Dogs: Changing  Lives One Wag At A Time".  My goals are to educate the  public about these life-changing helpers, true  service dog teams vs. fake ones  and the Americans with Disabilities  Act. I  will give speeches and demos to schools, hospitals, malls, casino's, rehab  centers etc.

Ms. Wheelchair USA is an independent program  presented by The Dane Foundation, a 501C3, tax deductible organization.

It's the only pageant that features a live telecast full scale show,  and production that  showcases contestants who have disabilities. "All Women  despite any disability  can be beautiful, feel glamorous and be self confident."

I'm so honored to be given this title and am thrilled



to educate the public about these life changing dogs, and show what my service dog Carmel does for me to help me daily.  She picks things up off of the floor, helps me open envelopes and will push the elevator button with her nose.
When I received Carmel from Canine Companions for Independence in November of 2010, she was professionaly trained with 44 commands, and I've taught her another 20!
People don't  understand how these dogs change lives, both by what they do to help their partner both physicaly and emotionaly as well.  She helps cheer me when I'm down by coming over and licking my nose.  Or she'll make me laugh, and brace my back when it's in pain.   One day, she carefully jumped on the bed next to me and curled into a tight ball and 'braced' my back and helped with my pain.  I haven't taught her this, she sensed my pain and helped me through it.
People who have service dogs have so many stories to share like these, and its my PLEASURE to share my passion  of service dogs to everyone I can.
Being Ms. Wheelchair NY USA 2016 is a dream come true.  Not because it's a beauty  pageant but because my being an ambassador for Canine Companions for Independence has now been linked with my passionate, life changing platform!
I was helping to raise money and awareness for a CCI function recently, and a gentleman came up to me and told me about his son who was in a car accident a year ago and how he was considering a service dog for his son.  I happily expressed some of what Carmel has done to change my life and explained some of what she does for me on a daily basis.  I told him how God has gotten me through the worst times of my life, and how He gave me strength through my 2 brain surgeries and the trauma of standing one day and going to stand the next and hitting the ground.  I went to stand again and my legs went in different directions and my head hit the wall.  I knew then, as I lay on the floor, dazed, that I would never walk again.  
That was ten years ago.  I understand a catastrophic illness and loss, and I also know the other side. That's one of the things I'd like to talk about at rehab facilities.  That there IS another side after the trauma starts to fade.  People who have been in an accident or illness CAN lead a very fulfilling life.  It's just a different way of  living and getting around now.
At the end of the conversation, we hugged and I gave him my business card for the pageant.  All of my info is on that card. I look forward to speaking with this young man.
It's my privlege and pleasure to use what God has done with my life and service dogs to help others.
After we hugged, we were both in tears.  I heard him say as he walked away: "Wasn't that a special, amazing moment".
For me as well, sir.  





PLEASE help me get to Nationals in Ohio in July.  We will be there for a week and need help with travel, entrance fee, lodging, food, pageant clothing, etc.

 Thank you for reading, and whatever amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated.
God bless you.