Ms. Wheelchair Maryland

Courtney’s Questions to President Obama

Robert Watson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:47:44 +0000

Watch a video of Courtney’s questions to President Obama.

Congratulations to Courtney Wallace, Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2012

Robert Watson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:17:08 +0000

Congratulations to Courtney Wallace crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2012 in Rockville on November 5, 2011. Courtney is 29 years old; she has a 9 year old daughter, and her hobbies are reading, writing, enjoying nature and all things girly. Courtney works as a Life Coach and is the CEO of InsideOut Entertainment. She describes herself as random, encouraging, colorful, grandmotherly and revolutionary. Courtney will compete in Ms. Wheelchair America in Providence, Rhode Island in August 2012.

Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2013 Pageant

Michael McGrath — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:06:04 +0000

details coming soon …

Disabilities Awareness Experience Expo-DC/MD

Shannon — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:01:15 +0000

Please join us in kicking off the 2nd annual DISABILITIES AWARENESS EXPERIENCE in the beautiful Downtown Silver Spring. A day filled with a series of events helping to create awareness to improve the lives of people living with disabilities. All are welcome! Families, friends, adults, children, care providers – there’s something for everyone, and every age!
More Details (opens as PDF file)

W.E.A.N. Queen for a day and the Women’s Expo

Sharonda — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:35:13 +0000

Sharonda traveled to these breathtaking events from Fort Washington, MD to Baltimore, MD by cab, and she said she would not have missed these two (2) awesome events for nothing in the world. It was less than two (2) days, when she learned of the event, and when she was informed by Ms. Janice Jackson of the nature of the event, she immediately contacted her personal cab driver Muhammad, and she was driven to the front door. Sharonda arrived at the Catonsville Community College around 7:30 A.M., and stayed until 5:00 P.M. The Queen for a Day and the Women’s Expo are annual events. W.E.A.N. has volunteers to come out and pamper the women with disabilities, and the queens get their hair, nails, and makeup done, while enjoying breakfast, lunch, and snakes in between. During the event the women are entertained with music, and this year they had a guess come in and show them how to dance, while remaining in their wheelchairs. It was a total of 25 women, and after their makeovers, the women were lead over to the college gym, by Ms. Wheelchair MD. Sharonda spoke encouraging words to all of the women, after they were crowned with their tiaras and sash, and some of the vendors gave the women gifts. Sharonda said, “It is just so amazing how the little things can mean so much. The smiles on the women faces were worth a million dollars each.”

Live Radio Interview with Guy Lambert at 95.5 WPGC FM

Sharonda — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:17:55 +0000

Today…April 13, 2011, Sharonda had a live radio interview with Guy Lambert. The interview will air on Sunday April 17, 2011 between 6:30 and 7:00 A.M. Sharonda took an early lunch break, and she was transported to the radio station by her personal cab driver Muhammad, and she was accompanied by one (1) of her two (2) assistants, Ms. Niquita Rooks. It was a wet rainy day, but she refused to let the weather stop her from doing this interview. She spoke a little about the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland organization historical factors, the issues people with disabilities are having throughout the District, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV), her new full-time position in the federal government and how she will mentor other people with disabilities, so they too can become full-time employees, the exciting things she have done during her reign, and the exciting things she will be doing in the weeks and months to come. A copy of the interview will be added to the website on Monday April 18, 2011. Photos taken by Ms. Niquita Rooks, before, during, and after the interview.

Dateable/The CP Group Party

Sharonda — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 14:19:34 +0000

This was truly a night to remember. Sharonda danced, laughed, took pictures, and had some fun and more fun with the entire guess at the Dateable and the CP Group annual party. She and Robert Watson took pictures with the guess, and as a special treat Robert allowed them to wear his Captains hat during their photographing. They all laughed out loud, when he surprisingly placed his hat onto their heads. The event was from 7-11 P.M., and Ms. Wheelchair MD 2011 was there from 6-11 P.M. She greeted the guess when they arrived, and said her good-bys as they all left. She even had the honor of sharing the paratransit van ride back home with one of the guess. It appears as if the individuals ride never picked him up, and she made a phone call to the company, explained the situation, and agreed to share the trip with the individual. She did not get home until after 1:00 A.M. But, at the end of the day, Sharonda said it was worth the wait, and she can’t wait until the next Dateable event.

Premier of String’s Dreams…a movie about “Bullying” in schools

Sharonda — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:32:35 +0000

On March 25, 2011 Community of Hope AME church (the church I fellowship with) premiered, String’s Dreams. It was announced by my Pastor Rev. Tony Lee…March 25, 2011 has been declared “Stop Bullying Day” click here for more info. String’s Dreams is a movie about a young guy (String’s), who was being bullied in his school and, in my opinion, in his home as well. For me, it was a must see movie, and I am glad I did, because it made me think about children with disabilities. I was curious to know, if children with disabilities are being bullied as well. Sadly, they are. I obtained some information from abilitypath.org.

I decided to do some researching, and I was able to locate sharking information about children with special needs being bullied. It was stated by a mother of an 11 year old girl, “My daughter is a wonderful, adorable, sweet child with Down syndrome. The bullying she encountered started in elementary school and has followed her to middle school. Everyone makes a big deal about their children being bullied at school and it is a big deal. However, it is always the ‘normal’ children that you hear about. Who stands up for the children who are like my daughter? What about those children who have to deal with bullying and count on teachers and bus drivers to stand up for them because they can’t speak up for themselves?”
- Mother of an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome

During the course of this report, AbilityPath.org researched several high profile media reports involving bullying and a child with special needs. The emotional and physical toll these parents and their children face serve as only a small representation of a much larger population. Some reports estimate that nearly 85 percent of children with special needs experience bullying. We encourage you to read their stories at AbilityPath.org and more importantly share your own. Only through strength in numbers can we Disable Bullying. The information I found was surprising.” Information provided by Ability Path

NRH Christmas Party 2010

Sharonda — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:52:30 +0000

December 15, 2010 was the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) Christmas party. The party was held for their Spinal Cord Injury patients, and I was able to present 25 gifts to the guest and patients, on behalf of SJ Wilkes and FMS Treasury’s Equal Opportunity and Organizational Enhancement (EOOE) office. In addition, there were two lucky winners, who won special gift bags donated by SJ Wilkes. Santa helped me distribute the gifts, and I enjoyed rolling around with NRH mascot Vic, and meeting and greeting the vendors, staff, and other guest. You did a great job organizing the party Shannon.

Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts

Sharonda — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:06:45 +0000

On September 9, 2010, I held a Q and A discussion session with some of the local Boy Scouts. The discussion was held at SJ Wilkes, LLC. The Scouts needed the session so they could earn their “Disability Merit badge.” During our discussion they asked questions such as, “should I ask a person with a disability if they need my help, or should I just offer my help to them?” I answered the question by saying, “People perceive things differently, but if you see someone in need of help…just help them. While we all like to be as independent as possible, we all need help, sometimes.” I am proud to say the young men received their “Disability Merit badges,” and on December 11, 2010 two of the Scouts had their Eagle Board of Review. Both of the Scouts passed, and they are now Eagle Scouts. These Eagle Scouts are eager to help people with disabilities, in any way they can. Congratulations to you both!