This is a new version of the website I created in 2016 when I was Ms. Wheelchair California. I considered not putting it back online, however I would like it to be a source to future titleholders. I also consider myself and my platform unique, as I am but a few titleholders with a significant speech impairment and as such, my platform focuses on that.

The platform topic that I chose as Ms. Wheelchair California 2016 is “Improve the way society views individuals with more severe disabilities, through acceptance, interaction, and respect”. Being an individual with a more severe disability, I have experienced the entire gamut of situations in which I was treated inappropriately merely due to the way that my disability makes me appear. All individuals, regardless of disability, deserve equal treatment in all aspects of their lives, and it is only when society understands and practices this, that individuals with disabilities will be truly integrated in their communities.

I also wanted to not only bring my titleholder journey blog onto this website, but also to recreate and continue an advocacy blog that I started some years ago and hope to reignite it. I have many topics and stances that I want to share with everyone, to get other’s input and also to educate those who may not know much about disabilities but definitely want to learn. Those are my favorite kind of people; I don’t expect someone to know our needs, as long as they are eager to listen and learn.

Please feel free to email me with any comments, thoughts, or questions that come up as you visit my website and blog. I especially welcome ideas you may have for my continued journey!

In advocacy always,
Kathleen