Posted on September 7, 2023
A Winner is Crowned Ms. Wheelchair America During National Competition in Grand Rapids
This year’s national, week-long competition wrapped up with the crowning of Ms. Wheelchair America 2024, presented by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The title was awarded to Ms. Wheelchair Maryland, Chandra Smith, who competed alongside a group of 18 outstanding women.
This was the 52nd year of Ms. Wheelchair America. The competition doesn’t focus on physical attributes, rather it highlights participant achievements, disability advocacy and presentation skills.
Chandra Smith, 36, from Pasadena, Maryland, works as an IT engineer and 508 compliance specialist for the Defense Intelligence Agency. She uses a wheelchair after losing three limbs due to sepsis in 2021.
As Chandra continued to recover with rehabilitation, she returned to work with a newfound passion for support digital access for all. During the competition, Chandra shared her personal story with her hometown TV Station, WBAL TV 11.
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland is just one of the many stories of strength and resilience we heard from the state titleholders. During the course of the week, we had conversations with some of the contestants to get to know their background and advocacy platforms:
To kick off competition week, some of the contestants participated in a guided tour of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. After visiting patients and staff, they participated in an artist-led experience with Mary Free Bed artist-in-residence, Cynthia Hagedorn. WOOD TV8 attended the tour and interviewed Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, Allison Boot, and vice president of Ms. Wheelchair America, Mary Zendejas, for a story.
The women also experienced highlights of the city of Grand Rapids, including a scavenger hunt at Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Local TV stations, WZZM 13 and FOX 17, stopped by the gardens for to learn more about the competition, contestant stories, and the messages they were bringing to West Michigan.
Educational workshops on leadership, advocacy and self-care were held midweek. Workshops were led by community partners and past winners of Ms. Wheelchair America. Mary Free Bed clinicians hosted two workshops, one on intimacy and relationship with Brianne Taylor, sexual health educator and recreational therapy team lead. The second focused on wheelchair and adaptive sports with Mary Free Bed sports coordinator, Molly McKinney.
A new sisterhood was formed during the week at nightly dinners and activities, and the competitors quickly turned into friends.
The weeklong competition ended with two events open to the public and livestreamed across the nation. Friday night, the contestants delivered their platform speeches – sharing personal journeys and their advocacy platforms. On Saturday night, the top five participants were announced. They were judged on two final interview questions before crowning the winner.
If you missed the livestreamed Friday night speech, catch the full broadcast here:
During the competition, volunteer judges were looking for the most accomplished, articulate spokeswoman to represent the millions of people with disabilities in America. The judges this year were:
- Maggie Redden, senior communications and marketing specialist for the City of Falls Church, Virginia. She was Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey 2013 and finished third runner-up at the 2014 national competition.
- Craig Harlow, Certified Mobility Consultant with MobilityWorks. He works directly with people with disabilities and their families in selecting the correct automotive mobility device.
- Mira Jourdan, clinical neuropsychologist and member of the Mary Free Bed Guild. A significant portion of her work is focused on autism and traumatic brain injury.
- Joseph J. Payette, retired police officer from the Illinois State Police after 27 years. He started volunteering with a local non-profit after seeing his niece have a wonderful experience with Ms. Wheelchair America in 2012.
The judges made their final choices known during the crowning gala. View Saturday’s finale here:
After the crowning, we sat down with Ms. Wheelchair America, Chandra Smith, for a post-event interview. She shared more of her personal story, how she felt immediately following the event, and what’s next for her.
This was the second year the Mary Free Bed Guild was the presenting sponsor of the event. The members of the Guild are proud to support these inspiring women. Ms. Wheelchair America impacts communities across the nation, and similarly the Mary Free Bed Guild features strong women working to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“It’s with great pleasure that the Mary Free Bed Guild has collaborated with Ms. Wheelchair America to again sponsor this year’s event,” said Amy Stuursma, Mary Free Bed Guild President. “We applaud the competitors, families and event organizers for their work in advocacy, education and leadership.”
View photos from the week below. Learn more about Ms. Wheelchair America and how you can get involved at www.MsWheelchairAmerica.org.
