Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. of Columbus, OH was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio on March 20 at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, Ohio. She competed against six other contestants. First runner up was Melissa Millinovich of Cincinnati, and second runner up was Jennifer Kilman of Grove City.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) March 26, 2004 — Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. of Columbus, OH was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio on March 20 at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, Ohio. She competed against six other contestants. First runner up was Melissa Millinovich of Cincinnati, and second runner up was Jennifer Kilman of Grove City.
The pageant is the first step in Rossetti’s goal to be Ms. Wheelchair America. During the morning she was interviewed by a panel of five judges and responded to two impromptu questions on stage that evening. She also gave a short presentation on five words that she felt best described her. Rossetti shared her philosophy, “We need to face challenges, and take action to improve our situation. Adversity is followed by opportunity which leads to personal growth.”
Rossetti is a professional inspirational speaker, trainer, consultant, writer, and publisher. Her monthly syndicated inspirational column has a circulation of over 53,000 readers. She is a specialist in motivational programs, communication and presentation skill training.
Fortuna Press, Rossetti’s publishing company, just completed a nationwide release of “Take Back Your Life!” Regaining Your Footing After Life Throws You A Curve. This is a collection of 20 inspirational articles written after she sustained a spinal cord injury on June 13, 1998. While riding her bicycle, she was crushed by a 3 ½ ton tree. The book highlights the life lessons that she learned about coping with change and dealing with adversity as she rebounded from her crisis. Her speaking programs and writing help people focus on a hopeful future and inspire them to do more with their lives.
The duties of Ms. Wheelchair Ohio include: delivering presentations, visiting advocacy groups, making public appearances, and conducting press and media interviews. She must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency to the general public, the business community and the legislature. She is charged with a continuing effort to educate the public regarding the dignity, productiveness and basic value of people with disabilities. She assumes responsibility for the ongoing effort to eliminate the architectural and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from assuming their rightful place in society.
The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair America Program is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities. Ms. Wheelchair America is in no way a beauty contest. It is a competition to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for Americans with disabilities. Women between the ages of 21-60 can apply. It is estimated that Rossetti will compete with twenty five state title holders at the national pageant in July in Richmond, VA.
This non-profit program is coordinated by volunteers throughout the nation who are dedicated to increasing public awareness so disabled citizens will be able to lead productive and meaningful lives. The Ohio state coordinator is Stacey Hubbard.
A Columbus, OH Physiatrist, Dr. Philip K. Wood, established Ms. Wheelchair America in 1972 as a forum for the promotion of the achievements as well as the needs of mobility impaired persons. He devoted his career to the treatment and Rehabilitation of the functionally impaired individual. He was aware of the capabilities, determination, talent and courage of the handicapped.
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For more information about the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, contact:
Stacey Hubbard, state coordinator, 419-884-2697.
For more information about the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant contact:
Pat O’Bryant, executive director (877) 679-4335, pobryant@bellsouth.net,
www.mswheelchairamerica.org
1008 Eastchester Drive Phone: 1.614.471.6100
Columbus, Ohio 43230-6230 Toll Free: 1.866.471.6110
Federal Tax ID #: 31-1493880 Fax Number: 1.614.471.5575
