For the past four years, the Mary Free Bed Guild has collaborated with Ms. Wheelchair America to host a week-long national competition. Last week, eighteen women made their way to Grand Rapids to compete for the crown. The titleholders met in-person for the first time for a collaborative week of workshops and outings with a focus on leadership, sisterhood.
Several of the competitors kicked off the week with a tour of Mary Free Bed, led by two members of the foundation, Jocelyn Dettloff and Laura Dulay. Mary Free Bed and the guild have been involved with Ms. Wheelchair America since 2021, acting as a presenting sponsor for four years.
Latavia Sturdivant (New York), Schuyler Arakawa (Florida), Carla Cobbs (Maryland) and Aly Corvin (California) all attended the tour.
Competitors were inspired by Mary Free Bed’s mission and range of services. After spending time in recreational therapy and learning about the types of rehabilitation offered, Latavia Sturdivant said, “Mary Free Bed should be everywhere.”
She continued, “It’s really amazing because Mary Free Bed embodies that whole-person support that we’re looking for, so not only are they worried about your rehabilitation needs, but they’re also worried about your mental health as well and just really taking care of the whole person.”
Rolling Through Meijer Gardens
Accessibility is an ever-present concern for wheelchair users, which is why Frederik Meijer Gardens served as the perfect location for a group outing. The women and their companions had a chance to relax without worrying about whether they would fit through the doors or halls. (Plus, you’re not a true tourist without a visit to the gardens, right?) Hope Network graciously provided transportation for the third year in a row.
On top of taking in the beautiful sights, the women took part in a scavenger hunt and an annual group shot featuring all the titleholders.
Several workshops were held throughout the week, including two led by Mary Free Bed clinicians. Katie O’Brien, an outpatient occupational therapist at Mary Free Bed, led a workshop on self-care. Little Miss Michigan, 4-year-old Dahlia Swanson, shared a bit of her story alongside her parents and Carly Ridderbusch, physical therapy assistant at Mary Free Bed Kids. The women were smitten with Dahlia (as most are when they meet her). One competitor thanked Dahlia’s mom and dad, sharing how important it is for them to continue being her biggest advocates and champions. This emotional moment of connection brought nearly everyone in the room to tears.
Lessons From a Lawmaker
Advocacy usually looks like engagement, collaboration, raising awareness and working to influence policy. U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten took the time to meet with the Ms. Wheelchair America competitors to share how best to work with lawmakers and bring about change.
The women discussed their experiences with physical and social accessibility. They talked about aisleways and storage on airplanes, looming cuts to Medicaid and barriers to finding affordable housing.
“I was so inspired by their stories, their perseverance, and their attention to the policies that we’re creating in Washington right now,” said Scholten, D-Grand Rapids. “I hope they know that their voices were heard.”
Scholten said she left with a lot of ideas to take back to Washington and urged the West Michigan community to continue to advocate for the disability community.
“It is a community that I think strives to be inclusive, from Kent Disability Advocates to Mary Free Bed launching one of the first rehabilitation hospitals for children here; we want to be known for the way that we lead on issues to support our disabled community,” she said. “As I learned here today, we still have a long ways to go and I hope that the community can take note of this event and maybe, as you’re walking around or riding around Grand Rapids, think about what the experience is like for someone in a wheelchair and what we can do to make our city even better.”
Following the congresswoman’s visit, Ms. Wheelchair America 2025, Tamara Blackwell, hosted an engaging session about the work she’s done during her reign. Blackwell spoke about her experiences educating and working with youth in her community and beyond. She also shared tips on how to increase media and public visibility.
Dancing Through the Decades
Thursday night, Amway’s Ambassador Ballroom transformed into a blast from the past. The women showed out in their best vintage attire to cut up the dance floor. It was an unforgettable night filled with style and smiles– complete with inflatable microphones, legwarmers, tie-dye and peace signs. Britney Spears’ pop schoolgirl doppelgänger even made an appearance!
The dance was the perfect opportunity for the women to shake off any nerves before taking the stage Friday for speech night. Each competitor had two minutes to share their story and platform with the audience and judges from memory. Though the women have different platforms, they share the same mission: improving quality of life for people with disabilities. The speeches were heartfelt and inspiring. By the end of the night, five women rose to the Top Five.
One Stage, 18 Stars — One Impossible Choice
Competitors all agree, “I would hate to be a judge.” The decision of who would go home a national champion fell into the hands of five judges: Christine Burke, Ms. Wheelchair America 2022; Dr. Michael Cottingham, a professor at the University of Houston; Wendy Stock, a member of the Mary Free Bed Guild; Desmeon Thomas with the Center for Independent Living in Mississippi; and Elaine Stefanowicz, Ms. Wheelchair America 1997.
“All of the ladies are absolutely incredible,” Burke said. “The list of accomplishments from everybody here is just phenomenal on every level.”
The sisterhood that forms between the women throughout the week lessens the competition, making it easy to cheer on the other competitors.
“I think what’s been really powerful for me is to see that despite that this is a competition, and everyone is here to win, there’s also a lot of support and collaboration amongst the participants and the positive camaraderie,” said Cottingham.
“There’s an intensity about them as they’re talking about their platforms, but the joy that they have that they’re sharing with one another has just been wonderful to see,” Stock echoed.
Ms. Wheelchair America impacts everyone involved, including the judges. While it aims to acknowledge advocates, it also empowers and educates them, but still, the competitors aren’t the only ones who walk away having gained something.
“We’re learning more about what is going on in different areas that we wouldn’t have known about, so I don’t think there’s a person here this weekend that hasn’t learned something,” Thomas said.
One Final Time to Shine
Following the riveting Speech Night, 18 women took the stage inside the Ambassador Ballroom Saturday, anxiously awaiting their names to be called in the Top Five. The competitors held their breath as the emcee, David Weinandy, announced the Top Five: Chasity Miles-Anderson, Aly Corvin, Alice Diehl, Rynita McGuire and Latavia Sturdivant from South Carolina, California, Oregon, Michigan and New York, respectively.
Each was asked two questions, one lighthearted and one serious. It was their last chance to wow the judges. The program continued with speeches, minor awards and musical entertainment while the points were tallied. The anticipation was palpable as Weinandy stepped back up to the podium for the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Crowned as Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant of New York impressed judges and audiences alike with her powerful platform, ‘Breaking Barriers in Education and Leadership.’ Her platform focuses on challenging and overcoming systematic obstacles that prevent equal access to learning and leadership opportunities.
The competition also recognized outstanding women from across the country: Aly Corvin of California earned the title of 1st runner-up, followed by Alice Diehl of Oregon as 2nd runner-up and Chasity Lynn Miles-Anderson of South Carolina as 3rd runner-up. Michigan’s Rynita McGuire took 4th runner-up.
Each of these remarkable women showcased resilience, passion and a strong vision for inclusion, making this year’s event a powerful reminder of the strength within the disability community.
“I would like to thank all my family and friends, and I would just like to thank the Ms. Wheelchair America Organization— it is an amazing organization to be a part of,” Latavia said during her winning speech. “I have a huge sisterhood behind me. Girls, you are amazing, and I promise, I promise, I promise that I will do this crown justice and I will fight for every one of your platforms and be there for every one of you, so this crown isn’t just for me; it’s for all of us.”
Sturdivant was the first titleholder from the Empire State to win the national title.
“She’s going to be surrounded by so much love, by so much appreciation in the work that she does and really looked up to and she’s a queen on a different kind of platform,” Mary Zendejas, President of Ms. Wheelchair America, said. “I’m so excited to be working with her and making this experience for her and helping her carry out the mission of Ms. Wheelchair America.”
Speech Night and the Crowning Gala were both livestreamed for those who couldn’t attend in-person and can still be viewed on the Mary Free Bed Facebook page. There is also an inspirational recap video of the speeches.
Media outlets in at least 10 states covered the Ms. Wheelchair America competition. You can read or watch some of the segments below:
- Competitors share their platform on the Shelley Irwin Show
- WOOD TV sits down with Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Rynita McGuire
- Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, North Dakota, and New York appear on WZZM’s 13+
- Topeka’s KSNT features Ms. Wheelchair Kansas
- Ms. Wheelchair California shares her platform with KEYT in Santa Barbara
- Milwaukee’s TMJ4 speaks with Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin for a live 4pm interview
- WIS-TV in Columbia features Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina’s powerful story
- Ms. Wheelchair Oregon talks advocacy with Medford’s KOBI
- Winner announced on the FOX 17 Morning Buzz
