Follow the Frog

I attended two special events last week.  The first one was the Tennessee Government School to Work Transition night at Rhea County High School.
My friend Ladonna and I were representing our employer, Rhea Medical Center.  She works in Human Resources, so she was the perfect person to attend this function with me.

This is a very informative night for students with disabilities and their families.  Several colleges and organizations were there plus the Marine and National Guard recruiters.

There was a detailed presentation on how to access the Tennessee Government website and maneuver through all the resources there to help them apply for assistance in numerous areas.  I was very honored to be a part of it and was hoping to make some Junior Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee connections.

I wish more families had shown up because it was very informative.

Friday was a great day!!!  I left the house about 7AM to be at Superior Vans in Knoxville by 9AM.  They were having an open house tailgate party.  I met so many wonderful people there, from the staff at Superior to the special people who came out for the day.  What a great turnout they had. 

I made some Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee contacts, was on the radio with the morning DJ and met their mascot who wanted to be a Princess too.  I was not kissing him, let's just be clear about that!!

A DATE WITH CITY HALL

For a long time, I have been very frustrated with the downtown area of Dayton.
The curbs are not wheelchair accessible, so for me to visit a store or restaurant on the opposite side of the road from where I'm parked, I have to get in my van and drive around the block and park on the other side.  I can not cross the street at most of the lights. 

So at the very top of my agenda was to meet with the city officials and discuss this problem.   They have made many upgrades to beautify this little town but this had not been addressed. 

The Mayor, City Manager, and their staff were more than happy to meet with me and discuss not only the curbs but anything else that might need to be changed to compensate people in wheelchairs.  Michelle Horton, the City Recorder had already attended a meeting about the specifications.  We will begin to see changes on some of the sidewalks as early as next month.  Market Street, which is our main road through town, won't be addressed till next year because of the budget. The good news is, there is a plan in action. 

If you live in Tennessee and need me to come to your town and meet with your City Officials about accessibility in your city, let me know. 

A Crown Is A Magical Thing

Week two has been very busy.  I have had many calls about possible appearances, interviews, and events.  My calendar for October is a little messy.  If every month is like this one, I will need a clone but I am excited for what lies ahead. 

The highlight of the week was my television interview on Friday with FOX GMA Chattanooga.  Greg Funderburg was a very gracious host and I can see why he was nominated for the Best of the Best Award.  I was not nervous at all and I think the interview went really well.  Of course, when I got back to the car I thought of all those things I should've said but the good news is, I don't regret any of things I did say.  That would be awful!!!  I just wish I didn't have so many wrinkles.  I think I could see every single one.  LOL

Saturday was such a fun day.  I visited a local Apple Orchard and gave out my business cards and crowned many little Princesses.  A girl can spot a sparkly crown from a block away, no matter what their age.  It was like a magnet.  I met people from literally all over the world.  People were so interested and so lovely. 
So a shout out to Wooden's Apple House for letting me hang out for the day and make some fantastic new friends.

Sunday is always my favorite day of the week.  I love worshipping in God's House.  I have a beautiful church family.  They are loving, giving, caring, and compassionate.  You don't have time for me to get started on my Pastor.  I have learned so much from him and he has such a big heart and it's so tender.  He gathered the people of the church around and they prayed for me.  He asked for safety for me as I traveled and health and strength as I carried out this mission that God has set before me.   I am so truly blessed.

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019 - The Journey Begins

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So the last time I entered a post in this blog, I had just competed for Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2016.  In that blog, I explained that I felt that the Lord had led me to compete, not to win but to reach out to someone.  I did reach out but more than that, people have reached out to me.  I have a whole new family of members with disabilities and the wonderful people that do everything they can to enrich our lives.

I had said I would not compete again.  In fact, this year I was so honored to be asked to judge.   As the cut off date drew nearer and nearer for women to register, my director and I began praying diligently for applicants.  One night the Lord impressed on my heart that I should compete.  So the next day I turned my application in and here I am, Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019.  God indeed blesses us even more than we can imagine.

I am so excited to represent the disabled communities of Tennessee.  I will be attending Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 in July in Little Rock, Arkansas.

My platform is to be a resource to those who have found themselves in a wheelchair and the depression that can sometimes follow that.  I want to give them hope in so many ways.  Life in a wheelchair has given me many opportunities in life that I most surely would not have had.  I have met wonderful people that I would not have met.   I have experienced things I would not have experienced.   I am truly blessed.

So I will try and check in with you weekly and let you know how this journey goes.  I have my first television appearance this Friday on GMA Fox Chattanooga.  I have added a few pictures from this week.

I love you all and stay tuned.