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What a Week!! - The Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant From the moment our plane touched down in Rapid City, I knew I was about to begin an extraordinary adventure that would be memorable to me and all involved. Four other wheelchair users were on that flight .....each of us headed for the same destination. Each of us to represent our various states (25 in all) in the Ms Wheelchair America week long pageant. The airport was peaceful and uncomplicated compared to the stopover airport in my journey, O'Hare Chicago, considered one of the busiest airports in the world. By comparison, I was sure that Rapid City was one of the least busy. Our gracious, punctual hosts were awaiting our arrival with smiles and hugs and a large wheelchair accessible van to carry all of us and our luggage. After what seemed like endless miles of prairie land we arrived at the Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza Hotel in downtown Rapid City... a seven story modern castle with an inner atrium that reached up seven floors with glass-enclosed elevators that overlooked the hotel sitting/display area and separate restaurant. Rooms were assigned and room modifications were readily made (lowering beds, removing bathroom doors). Twenty five wheelchair contestants and their companions settled in to this hotel and the Howard Johnson hotel down the road. The week of activity and reflection flew by... There was a Fun Day when all 25 contestants were loaded up into 5-7 vans and driven to nearby Mt Rushmore. The national landmark, built in the 1930's depicts four widely revered U.S. presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Harry Truman. We explored the monument and after much posing and re-posing, we were photographed enmasse, in front of the monument. In between daily interviews with the judges, there were informative workshops, and opportunities to get to know one another. The stories of each of the contestants were remarkable, filled with accomplishment and challenge. Each story poignant and unique in its own way. We had a 50's party one night ...each of us dressed in poodle skirts and pony tails and were served a meat and mashed potatoes dinner plus a real live Elvis impersonator who thrilled the crowd and got our dancing juices going. Mornings came early... breakfast, workshops and interviews. Friendships were made. By Friday we had the routine down so a new wrinkle was added... SPEECH night! We had a brief dress rehearsal to familiarize us with the stage and access ramp and a group of local volunteer firemen who would escort us to and from the stage. Afterwards we dispersed to our corners to get dressed in dressy outfits and attend the hair and make-up clinic being offered in one of the hotel conference rooms. Aside from microphone/sound system problems, the evening went well, each speech was eloquent and moving. Each speech shared a special perspective on the world, rarely heard and not by many. Saturday evening brought an air of excitement as guests began arriving dressed in gowns and suits. The ballroom was elegantly decorated fitting this gala occasion. Each contestant mounted the stage wearing their most formal gown and introduced their individual platforms to an attentive audience. And then the five finalists were selected.... Ms Ohio, Ms Washington, Ms North Carolina, Ms Michigan, and Ms California. After a few extemporaneous questions were answered, the judges disappeared for a final deliberation. Music and program acknowledgements were offered up to fill the void and satisfy the wait. Finally the judges returned and announced that Erika Bogan from North Carolina would be the 2010 Ms Wheelchair America title holder. Erika spoke a few thrilled but teary words to end the evening. By the following day, most contestants were packing and edging out the hotel doors. My family/friends entourage opted to stay one more day for sightseeing and to visit. We watched as one after another fellow participant headed for home. Hotel staff could be seen busy cleaning rooms and carrying bedframes and doors through the hallways to replace them from where they were taken. For a brief and fleeting week the hotel had been transformed into a wheelchair dominated world that allowed and, in fact insisted, that wheelchairs be the accepted modus operandi. I can't say I minded one bit. But now it would return to the world as usual which is accessible for all in the best of circumstances and barrier-burdened more often than not. And each of us that week was touched by this passing world -- where not only buildings but dreams were accessible and attainable for all. For more stories from South Dakota and my journal, Have Crown Will Travel, go to Facebook.com…search for ms wheelchair virginia…login…click Notes and Photos. |