Ms Wheelchair Michigan

Kathy LeMieux, age 37 of Fruitport, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2008 at the Donnelly Conference Center of Aquinas College on Saturday, March 1. She became the titleholder after a full day of competition which included workshops, private interviews and a platform speech, which were judged by two other area pageant queens – Erika Bauer, Miss Teen of Michigan and DJ Peck, Elegant Ms. U.S. United 2007/2008 and Jackie Wondolowski, the Spinal Cord Injury Program Manager at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The competition was very close between the three pageant contestants and BEAUTY was not one of the judging categories. Another pageant winner, Mrs. Michigan, Laura Loveberry, performed a beautiful sign language drama at the crowning event. There were five former, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan’s in attendance to encourage Kathy, as she started her reign.

Kathy resides with her husband Dave and her Paws With A Cause Service Dog, Sugar. Kathy has used a wheelchair all of her life because she has a form of Muscular Dystrophy; Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3. She has very limited strength and reach, and can only move her outer most extremities, feet, hands and head. She is a graduate of Rockford High School and Ferris State University with a degree in Business Management. Kathy is currently employed at the MOKA Foundation. The foundation is an endowment that supports it’s parent agency, MOKA which works with individuals with disabilities of all types and “Sees the Individual in Everyone." Their simple mission statement is to create opportunities for independence and acceptance in our communities by supporting people with disabilities by making choices, building relationships, sharing places, developing skills, enhancing reputations and giving back to the community. Kathy has learned to embrace the challenges in her life and will use her new title as a way to encourage others.

Kathy will be a spokeswoman throughout Michigan where she can combine awareness, acceptance and understanding of all disabilities to the general public. She will have the opportunity to travel across the state, visit advocacy groups, make public appearances, including many parades and is available to conduct interviews. Kathy will advance to the Ms .Wheelchair America 2009 Pageant which will be held in Rockville, Maryland from July 21 – 27, 2008.