Ms. Wheelchair USA - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Sarah B. T.

Ms. Wheelchair USA is an invaluable and vital organization, not just for their service and contributions to disabled communities, but for their mission to celebrate the confidence, glamour, community service, advocacy, and beauty of disabled women through the life-changing Ms. Wheelchair USA Pageant. Having competed in 20’, 21’, & 22’ and served as a Ms. Wheelchair USA Ambassador this past year has given me improved confidence, a Pageant Sisterhood & Family, bettered my advocacy and awareness of Rare Diseases, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, & Disability, and helped me to give myself the gift of being my sparkling, sequin, & pink loving self without fear of invalidation or disbelief from others regarding my invisible disability, Rare Diseases, and chronic illnesses. I’ve never met such a committed, caring, dedicated, giving, and supportive community than those involved with Ms. Wheelchair USA & the Ms. Wheelchair USA National Pageant.

WheelLifeConnections

I absolutely love this organization and all they advocate for! I have been in 7 pageants over the last 9 years and this one by far has helped me grow the most! The team is caring and understanding towards disabilities but also believes we deserve the same opportunities of glam and fame as everyone else. They promote confident and independent women and I was lucky enough to be their national titleholder, Ms. Wheelchair USA. This pageant competition is not just a 2 day competition it’s a week of appearances, workshops, and parties to truly embrace every contestants character and class. They provide every achievable accommodation requested and down time in between events to rest. This is not a once and done organization, this is my family!

Morgen K.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more accepting and inclusive group. I volunteered for this year’s Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant, and I met so many incredible people. A former contestant and I got to talk, and she shared with me that she loves coming back to help each year because it feels like a family reunion. The love and support that was shared among contestants, staff, and volunteers was truly moving. I felt welcomed and appreciated, and I intend to volunteer again in the future.

Matthew H.

Ms. Wheelchair USA is an incredibly empowering event that showcases the strength, determination, and beauty of women with disabilities. It goes beyond the traditional beauty pageant format, focusing on highlighting the contestants' advocacy, leadership, and accomplishments. The platform provides a space for these remarkable women to share their stories, raise awareness about disability issues, and promote inclusivity and accessibility. Through Ms. Wheelchair USA, these contestants break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and prove that disability is not a limitation to achieving greatness. This pageant celebrates diversity, resilience, and the power of the human spirit, leaving a lasting impact on both the participants and the audience.

Phaedra C.

I absolutely love this program and what it stands for. The Ms. Wheelchair USA program opened doors and literally changed my life. It gave me a platform to speak and be heard, which then turned into a career change and moved me from the Midwest to the South. I love the positivity and the caring atmosphere from everyone involved. I’m so thankful for Ms. Wheelchair USA and The Dane Foundation.

stan H.

I understand this program to have so many positive benefits. Not just for the women during the pageant, but afterwards in what they go on to accomplish in their communities. I'm proud my daughter volunteers every year because she seems to get as much as she gives! It's a win-win!

Danielle R.

As someone who has worked in multiple non-profits around the U.S., I can say it is a rare gem to find a non-profit that has been able to remain focused and passionate about the reason they first began, despite the adversity of life. Ms. Wheelchair USA is that rare gem. To be overly cheesy, this world is literally a better place, in part, because of Ms. Wheelchair USA being in it. After my spinal cord inury (SCI), and other life complications, I didn't know where to turn to find the passion and drive I once had. However, thanks to the opportunities, and challenges that Ms. Wheelchair USA gives their contestants, (platform speech competition, on stage questions, public speaking, etc), I rediscovered my passion and drive again. Not only that, I found my purpose and my tribe. I am not truly sure what is the more important opportunity of doing MWUSA, because in the midst of all of the hard work to earn the title, I also earned the ability to start healing of a lot the trauma of my SCI, and got to know and appreciate my new self, my capabilities, and my new life after a SCI.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user, I especially appreciate that this pageant for women who utilize wheelchairs is one of the most inclusive in the nation, for they they stand in a gap that has existed in pageantry. I am incredibly grateful for all that they have done for myself and the disabled community. Pageant week is full of appearances, photo opportunities, glamor, friendships, bonding, and experiences that can literally change your life for the better. It did mine.

Brad L.

This amazing organization has helped countless individuals break out of their shell. They have aided in not only supplying much needed items, but have showcased that just because you are in a wheelchair life doesn't stop. Neither do these ladies I admire their strength and determination. Truly an amazing organization