In September, I was confronted with the idea of running for Ms.Wheelchair Tn. My immediate reaction was, "Are you crazy? I just turned 65 years old!" Besides, I wasn't even aware there was such a thing. But it was explained to me that it was not a beauty contest and there was no age limit. You would be a spokesperson and bring awareness of the wheelchair community. With a promise to think and pray about it, I went on my merry way.
I did pray about it, only because the LORD would NOT LET IT GO! I would try and try to set it on the back burner and HE kept moving it to the front. So I would pray. I needed a platform. I had no platform. What did I ever need a platform for? So once again I would dismiss this whole idea. But God was drawing me to it. It's as if He said, "I'm not sending you to win, I'm sending you for another reason."
Another reason? What other reason?
But my faith started to kick in and I found myself filling out an application 3 days before the deadline.
Now I began praying for a platform. "Lord, if you want me to do this, you're going to need to give me a passion for something wheelchair related." Well it wasn't hard to see where He was leading me. I have always loved helping people who have found themselves suddenly disabled. I love giving them "tricks of the trade", so to speak. There was my platform, to mentor and encourage young people who have found themselves suddenly put in a wheelchair, either by war, accident or illness. I want to visit VA and rehab centers to inspire them to reach for their dreams. By sharing my life experiences with them, I think they could see the possibilities. Being Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee would give me the credibility to be able to do that.
So two weeks later, I found myself in Knoxville, Tn. at the Ms. Wheelchair Tn. pageant. Friday night we met with a speech coach. After I got back to my room I received a phone call from a very good friend in Illinois. Although, she wasn't in Illinois, she was in Indianapolis on her way to Knoxville and she had people with her. I figured it was a couple more girls from high school. It turned out to be her parents who were very special to me growing up. Her dad had polio also and we had a very special bond. If you follow my blog and refer back to the piano bench story, you will know how special this couple is to me. They made my weekend!!!!
I did not win this contest but I knew I would not. I did win Ms Congeniality, which is decided by the other contestants and I was the Peoples Choice. This award was given by people going online and voting. It was $1 per vote. So both of these awards are very special to me.
So why did the Lord send me, you ask? I may never know for sure. But I was able to be a witness to others and I tried my best to encourage others as well. I made wonderful friends. Lifelong friends. These women are in wheelchairs too. I really didn't have any friends like me. One of those precious friends is the current Ms Wheelchair America. Guess where we went 3 days after the pageant? Siskin Rehab Hospital. It was so much fun. I love her for doing that for me. The new Ms. Wheelchair Tn. has told me she would go with me to some VA hospitals also. So that is exciting.
It was a great experience. If nothing else, I want to be an example to my granddaughters and nieces that they need to spread their wings and soar like eagles. When God says go, they need to go. He has wonderful surprises for you. Things that you would never imagine on your own.
I did pray about it, only because the LORD would NOT LET IT GO! I would try and try to set it on the back burner and HE kept moving it to the front. So I would pray. I needed a platform. I had no platform. What did I ever need a platform for? So once again I would dismiss this whole idea. But God was drawing me to it. It's as if He said, "I'm not sending you to win, I'm sending you for another reason."
Another reason? What other reason?
But my faith started to kick in and I found myself filling out an application 3 days before the deadline.
Now I began praying for a platform. "Lord, if you want me to do this, you're going to need to give me a passion for something wheelchair related." Well it wasn't hard to see where He was leading me. I have always loved helping people who have found themselves suddenly disabled. I love giving them "tricks of the trade", so to speak. There was my platform, to mentor and encourage young people who have found themselves suddenly put in a wheelchair, either by war, accident or illness. I want to visit VA and rehab centers to inspire them to reach for their dreams. By sharing my life experiences with them, I think they could see the possibilities. Being Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee would give me the credibility to be able to do that.
So two weeks later, I found myself in Knoxville, Tn. at the Ms. Wheelchair Tn. pageant. Friday night we met with a speech coach. After I got back to my room I received a phone call from a very good friend in Illinois. Although, she wasn't in Illinois, she was in Indianapolis on her way to Knoxville and she had people with her. I figured it was a couple more girls from high school. It turned out to be her parents who were very special to me growing up. Her dad had polio also and we had a very special bond. If you follow my blog and refer back to the piano bench story, you will know how special this couple is to me. They made my weekend!!!!
I did not win this contest but I knew I would not. I did win Ms Congeniality, which is decided by the other contestants and I was the Peoples Choice. This award was given by people going online and voting. It was $1 per vote. So both of these awards are very special to me.
So why did the Lord send me, you ask? I may never know for sure. But I was able to be a witness to others and I tried my best to encourage others as well. I made wonderful friends. Lifelong friends. These women are in wheelchairs too. I really didn't have any friends like me. One of those precious friends is the current Ms Wheelchair America. Guess where we went 3 days after the pageant? Siskin Rehab Hospital. It was so much fun. I love her for doing that for me. The new Ms. Wheelchair Tn. has told me she would go with me to some VA hospitals also. So that is exciting.
It was a great experience. If nothing else, I want to be an example to my granddaughters and nieces that they need to spread their wings and soar like eagles. When God says go, they need to go. He has wonderful surprises for you. Things that you would never imagine on your own.
