Ms. Wheelchair Indiana 2009 promotes emergency preparedness platform

IU-Purdue University Indianapolis  student Emily Munson was recently crowned People on Wheels’ Ms. Wheelchair Indiana 2009 and is pursuing her master’s degree in bioethics and law.  

Munson, who has spinal muscular atrophy, will travel around the state this year promoting her platform about emergency preparedness for the disabled. Munson said she wants to spread awareness about people with disabilities so legislators will think more about the disabled population when making emergency regulations.

Munson said her interest in the pageant was sparked by her friend Katrina Gossett’s winning title as an independent delegate in 2007.

Munson said the pageant, which is sponsored by People on Wheels, a news and information Web site focusing on Americans who use wheelchairs, provided her a with a great opportunity.

“I will be able to get my foot in the door and have more opportunities to spread news about disabilities rights and awareness,” she said. “From being in the pageant, I gained connections with women who I competed against – each was very accomplished.”

People on Wheels President Nancy Cotterill said there was not a pageant for a number of years and she wanted to bring it back. Cotterill said there were five contestants this year, each from different walks of life. 

The contestants were each interviewed privately by three judges, made a speech about their platform idea and were then asked a final question.

“The women were judged on the ability to passionately communicate their platform, ability to easily move within a group of people who are more or less strangers, judged on poise and background as far as what (they) have done for the disability community,” Cotterill said.

Cotterill said the title will give Munson a chance to network and spread an important message. Cotterill said she also wants people to see disabled people as just regular people.

“I have no doubt that it will give her a wonderful speaking experience, and she will make lots of friends across the state,” Cotterill said. “More than that, it will benefit the entire disabled community, because what we really need to see in this country is an elevated perception of disabled people.”

Katrina Gossett, who has known Munson since they were young, said she is excited for Emily Munson’s travels.

“I encourage the work that she has already started,” Gossett said. “She’s been a strong advocate for people, and I think I have no worries that she’ll be an excellent Indiana representative and she can show the public about what disability means.”

Munson said the pageant gave her a chance to improve personal skills.

“It was a great opportunity to hone our interviewing and public speaking skills,” Munson said. “Just knowing advocacy for disabled community gets recognized is very special thing.”