Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin stripped of crown after caught standing

Casshew

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[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] When Janeal Lee was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin in January, she envisioned her role as an advocate for people with disabilities as an extension of the classroom.

<!-- removed the code for including an ad until we can fix the popout issue --> Lee, a math teacher living with muscular dystrophy, was preparing to speak at functions across the state, hoping to educate wider audiences and put a face to issues affecting people. In two months, the 30-year-old Appleton woman had created a platform.

<!-- removed the code for including an ad until we can fix the popout issue --> Students at Kaukauna High School, where she teaches, had raised $1,000 for her trip for the national pageant in New York in July. Her younger sister, who lives in Minnesota and also has muscular dystrophy, had entered her state’s own competition — following Lee’s lead — and won March 12. The sisters were going to nationals together.

<!-- removed the code for including an ad until we can fix the popout issue --> Now Lee is being forced to abandon her plans.

<!-- removed the code for including an ad until we can fix the popout issue --> A steering committee led by Gina Hackel of Freedom, a former Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin and pageant state coordinator, is stripping Lee of her crown. It said she was photographed in The Post-Crescent’s Heart of the Valley supplement, The Current, standing in her classroom, adding that she does not always use her scooter and that she walks in her classroom.

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_20451592.shtml
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hi cass! well, she'll just have to start her own competition, the Ms. Parttime Wheelchair Pageant.
 
Yeah Lex, or Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin ~ Lite :rolleyes:
 
Update: First runner-up refuses Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin crown

Michelle Kearney, who was born without arms and legs, refused to accept the crown after the winner was stripped of her title. (She was being seen standing in a news photo.) "Who is to say who is more disabled and less disabled than another person?" says Kearney.

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_20451592.shtml
 
I have a friend who uses a wheelchair to get around when we go out, but who used to use a walker around her apt. She liked to get out of the chair and sit in booths when dining, or in a theatre seat when watching a movie. Once in a while we got looks from people when she stood up to the effect of," why are you using that wheelchair if you can stand and walk". Its kind of a no-brainer.
 
Casshew said:
Update: First runner-up refuses Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin crown

Michelle Kearney, who was born without arms and legs, refused to accept the crown after the winner was stripped of her title. (She was being seen standing in a news photo.) "Who is to say who is more disabled and less disabled than another person?" says Kearney.

http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_20451592.shtml


hi cass! that was my point, did it stipulat in the rules how many hours in the day you had to be in a wheelchair? if so they shoud expand the compitition for ms. 24 hour wheelchair, ms. 23 hour wheelchair, etc. etc.
'Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin ~ Lite' ...lol!

hooray for michelle kearney!
 

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