Ms. Wheelchair America Competition Kicks Off

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Aug. 8, 2021 - PRLog -- Ms. Wheelchair America resumes this week after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. The competition celebrates the advocacy efforts, abilities and accomplishments of 30 women from across the country who use wheelchairs for mobility.

The 50th annual event, which begins Monday and culminates Saturday, is presented by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Mary Free Bed also is producing the virtual event.

Judges will select a winner based on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation to serve as a spokeswoman for the more than 64 million Americans with disabilities. Each state titleholder will participate all week in virtual workshops on leadership, self-care and advocacy. They'll also be interviewed by the panel of five judges and deliver a prepared platform presentation.

People's Choice Award – The public is invited to vote for their favorite contestant as well as raise funds to support the organization's work. Each vote is a $1 donation; the winner's state program will receive 40% of funds raised, and the remaining 60% will go the national title winner to aid in their advocacy campaign.

• Click here (https://www.maryfreebed.com/mswheelchaircontestants/) to learn more about each contestant, and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.

Virtual chat with Judy Heumann – The internationally known disability rights advocate is the featured guest for this week's competition. She'll discuss her life's work during a virtual fireside chat with Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle and the most recent Ms. Wheelchair America winner, Hilary Muehlberger.

• Watch live 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, facebook.com/maryfreebedrehab

Live public events – Ms. Wheelchair America will wrap up with two special programs live on Facebook. Watch at facebook.com/maryfreebedrehab

• 6 p.m. Friday – Meet all 30 contestants, and learn about their platforms.
• 6 p.m. Saturday – Watch the competition featuring the top five finalists.

About Mary Free Bed

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited, rehabilitation hospital located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since 1891, Mary Free Bed has restored hope and freedom through rehabilitation for children and adults with brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple traumas, amputations, cancer and other diagnoses, including COVID-19.

About Ms. Wheelchair America

Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc. is a non-profit organization that relies solely on the dedication and hard work of volunteers all across the country, fundraising by contestants and the help of local sponsors. While many pageants are now becoming less about beauty and appearance and more about a woman's acumen, Ms. Wheelchair America has built a unique tradition of focusing on women's accomplishments and advocacy since 1972.