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Ms Wheelchair Michigan 2009

Amber Marcy, age 27 of Saugatuck, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2009 at the Donnelly Conference Center located the on campus of Aquinas College on Saturday, February 28.  She became the titleholder after a full day of competition which included workshops, private interviews and a platform speech.  The competition was very close between the pageant contestants and BEAUTY was not one of the judging categories.  There were eight former Ms. Wheelchair Michigan’s in attendance to encourage Amber, as she started her reign.  Michigan’s most decorated paralympian Cheryl Angelelli shared that she believes her time as Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 1991 was a defining moment in her life that inspired her to pursue her dreams.

Amber was involved in a car accident at the age of 15, which resulted in a spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic.  She has not let the wheelchair stop her from living life to the fullest.  Her motto is Life Rolls On!!  Her life has definitely continued to roll on.  Amber is a graduate of Saugatuck Public High School and Grand Rapids Community College.  She plans to start working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Counseling, so she could help individuals with disabilities.  Currently she volunteers many hours each week at the Center for Women in Transition in Holland as a crisis line counselor, sexual assault victim advocate and receptionist.  Health Partners Homecare nominated and sponsored her, so she could compete.  Amber will share her unique message that while her chair does not define her; it has refined her.  Amber has learned to embrace the challenges in her life and will use her new title as a way to encourage others.

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