When Being Disabled Just Isn’t Enough! Wisconsin Ms.
Wheelchair Pageant Winner Loses Crown
by Lance Hegland
It appears that organizational
and societal perception of disabilities are being challenged
again, this time a little bit closer to home. Perhaps, as in
any social movement, a few organizations’ and
individuals’ views do not change as societies grow; they
remain “frozen” in the past. Yet, it is always surprising
to find such an organization or individual whose intention is to
be part of the movement — one of the family. In this case,
Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, a local chapter of Ms. Wheelchair America,
is at the heart of an issue that has reverberated across the world
over the past month, from Good Morning America, the Today Show,
the Tonight Show, and major news networks, to numerous Internet
blogs.
In 1972 a Columbus,
Ohio physician, Dr. Philip K. Wood established Ms. Wheelchair
America as a forum promoting the achievements, as well as the
needs, of women experiencing mobility impairments. The program
has been open to women between the ages of 21 and 60 with United
States citizenship who use a scooter or wheelchair for daily
mobility. Dr. Wood had devoted his career to the treatment and
rehabilitation of individuals with functional impairments and
was well aware of their talent, capabilities, determination and
courage. Therefore, he hoped the program would continue to increase
public awareness and disassemble stereotypes, so that all citizens
would enjoy equal access to opportunities empowering them to lead
more productive and meaningful lives. However, over the past few
months, the organization’s actions have led to questions
regarding whether Ms. Wheelchair America is straying from the founder’s
vision.
Before entering the
Wisconsin pageant, Janeal Lee, a resident of Appleton, said she
was upfront during conversations with the Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin
State Coordinator, Gina Hackel, about her ability to stand and
walk. Lee was unsure how strictly the organization defined “uses a wheelchair [or scooter] for
daily mobility.” A 30-year-old high school math teacher,
Lee experiences the effects of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Although she uses a scooter as her primary means of mobility, she
is able to stand and walk short distances in some situations. However,
according to Lee, Hackel verified that she was eligible to participate.
Lee then went on to be named Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin 2005.
At the end of February,
the Appleton Post Crescent published an article highlighting
Lee’s achievements along with a photo.
But, much to the dismay of pageant officials, she was standing
in her classroom. Judy Hoit, Ms. Wheelchair America’s treasurer,
was quick to point out that candidates for the crown must “mostly
be seen in the public using their wheelchairs or scooters. Otherwise
you’ve got women who are in their wheelchairs all the time
and they get offended if they see someone standing up. We can’t
have title holders out there walking when they’re seen in
the public.” Shortly after, Lee received a letter from Hackel
stating that she was no longer eligible and would have to forfeit
her crown and prizes. Specifically, Hackel’s letter stated
her ineligibility stemmed from the fact that Lee does not always
use her scooter in the community, had been photographed without
a mobility device, and occasionally performs classroom activities
without the aid of her scooter. Ms. Wheelchair America officials
cite the pageant founders’ inclusion of a rule, which is
a part of the national and Wisconsin guidelines that each contestant
contractually agrees to, stating the winner must appear in her
wheelchair or scooter when in public.
The rule and its application
have raised concerns. First, does the rule unintentionally reinforce
the stereotype that individuals using a mobility device are totally
dependent on it? Second, does it impede the promotion of diversity— that each person experiences
and is impacted by disability a little bit differently? Third,
does the rule unintentionally restrict freedom of individuality — the
freedom to be “who you are?” On the other hand, the
organization has an image to protect—that it serves women
using wheelchairs and scooters. The issue is tricky. Sadly, the
way the issue was handled has likely caused much more damage to
the organization’s image than the original issue itself could
have.
Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin
1st runner-up Michelle Kearney refused the crown in support of
Lee. In March, Lee’s sister, Sharon
Spring, was named Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2005. Spring is a 26-year-old
kindergarten classroom paraprofessional who also uses a wheelchair
as her primary means of mobility due to muscular dystrophy. In
support of her sister, she resigned her title early last month.
That same day, Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota State Coordinator (and
Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2003), Jen Onsum, also resigned from her
duties. Onsum works as a freelance web designer and online promotions
manager for the entertainment industry and is studying public relations
and English at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Each of
these women exhibits the realistic challenges of living with disability
while simultaneously promoting tremendous ability — abilities
greatly overshadowing disabilities.
“Recently, Lee has been named Miss disAbility International,
the charter titleholder of a new competition being launched in
response to the furor over the Ms. Wheelchair dispute by Oklahoma
City-based World Association of Persons with Disabilities (WAPD),” said
George Kerford. Kerford is the chairman emeritus for WAPD. The
19-year-old Association had called for the title to be reinstated,
saying dethroning Lee sent a bad message.
Kenford said the new
titles bestowed to Lee and the group’s
Mr. disAbility International Tom Mecke of San Antonio were mostly
symbolic. Future winners will go through a competition that will
be open to people experiencing mental or physical challenges. “We
are focusing on abilities,” he said.
Lee said she was excited
about her new title, down to the lowercase ‘d’ and
uppercase ‘A.’ “It tells you the focus of the
program is on people’s abilities and I think that is excellent,” she
said.
