Niki Swann Journals

MAY:

7 May 2010: First Friday-- A Salute to First Responders, Kilmarnock, Virginia
Rappahannock General Hospital, the local hospital in my home town ( I was born there!) invited me to participate in their First Friday celebration for the
month of May. On this particular occasion, RGH honored all of those admirable men and women who first respond in emergency situations. The evening
was full of good music provided by a local band, great company and tours of the evacu-life helicopter-- the Nightingale! My mom and grandmother joined me
as I set up a display with some informational brochures about the Ms Wheelchair Va program. I talked with many people about my platform and
experiences and saw a few familiar faces! It’s so important to support and thank all of our first responders; as a person who has benefited from the services
they provide, it was wonderful to be a part of this event.

8 May 2010: Ms Wheelchair Va Reunion & Interview with Miss Virginia, China Hellamendollar, "419" -- Roanoke, Virginia
May 8th kicked off Americorps week. As I am sure you all know, Ms Wheelchair Va has a grant with Americorps and our members work hard to provid
service to the community and promote awareness of disability issues. The day was great! This was the first time (some of) the members of the MWVA
family was able to reunite since March. We met at a wonderful restaurant called "419" and had a lovely afternoon catching up. We also celebrated my
birthday-- the big 24. After we ate a lovely meal, Chinah and I took the opportunity to do a short interview about our roles as Miss Virginia and Ms
Wheelchair Virginia. It’s posted on our facebook page.

14 May 2010: WRIC Interview with Amy Lacey-- Richmond, Virginia
It finally happened! My very first TV interview-- and I survived! I met with Amy Lacey bright and early Friday morning to do a live interview with her at
the WRIC station here in Richmond. I have to admit, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect-- the set looks so big on TV and I was afraid I would get a little
nervous in front of the very cute weatherman. The studio, surprisingly, is fairly small-- the alternate between a few stations and there are bright lights
everywhere. Amy was very nice and she made me feel very at ease. She asked me about the program, my platform, and of course, the burning question on
everyone’s mind--Ms Wheelchair America. After my time on the air, I talked with the news anchors a bit more, and I have an open invitation to come back
at anytime. :)

16 May 2010: Vibefest, Positive Vibe Cafe -- Richmond, Virginia
For those of you not familiar with the Positive Vibe Cafe, it’s a wonderful establishment. Garth Larcen and his family own the non-profit foundation; their
goal is to prepare people with either cognitive or physical disabilities for employment in the food industry.
Each year, the cafe puts together this benefit to help fund their training program and this year, I was asked to be the "guest speaker". It was a great day
filled with wonderful food, music and incredible spirit. Programs, like the ones the Positive Vibe Cafe provides, are so important --not only for people within
the disability community, but for everyone. As title holder, my platform is all about breaking down stereotypes that encompass people with disabilities, and
the best way to do that is by inclusion! I talked with some wonderful people and some potential contestants. On a side note-- I was given a "Vibe Fest" t-shirt
as well as a free CD from one of the bands that preformed -- Against Grace-- very good music, and really easy on the eyes! I say, all in all, this year’s Vibe
Fest was a success!

21 May 2010: Tour of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden-- Richmond, Virginia
Although I have lived in the Richmond Area for almost two years, I have never had the pleasure of visiting the Botanical Gardens. I was given a private
tour of the entire property on this very lovely Friday morning. Some of the highlights of the tour included a beautiful rose garden that reminded me of the
English countryside, a room devoted entirely to orchids and a very interesting conversation with a butterfly specialist. I was also given a tour of the old
Victorian house on the property built in 1880! It was very wheelchair friendly, including a bathroom! My favorite room was the a little parlor that made me
feel like I was in my very own Jane Austen novel! Although these sites were exceptional, the heart (and most important) part of my tour was the visit into
the accessible treehouse. The treehouse has been a vital part of the children’s garden since 2005 and remains the ONLY accessible treehouse on the east
coast. This treehouse not only provides children with the opportunity to be able to be a "normal" kid without the usual restrictions, but it is also an asset to
anyone who has a disability. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, all have the chance to participate in activities the rest of the world takes for granted. As
a child growing up, I did not have a disability, but nor had I been in a "real" treehouse. Today, at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, I looked overtop of
the trees, talked with kids who were there for field trips. On my way up the ramp to the treehouse, I was behind a little boy, I guess around 3 or 4, who
turned to me and said " are you coming with me" -- at that moment, that little boy didn’t see someone with a disability, he just saw just me. This is the type
of experience every person (disability or not) should have-- the chance to focus not on limitations or restrictions, but on a common purpose.

On another side note: The Botanical Gardens also has "ADA" approved mulch-- it prevents the tires from sinking down and getting stuck! I tried it out, and
it’s really impressive :)

APRIL:

April 5 (Monday) Interview with Tom Martin -- Rappahannock Record, Warsaw Virginia Mr. Martin is a reporter for the local newspaper in Warsaw as well
as a full time faculty member at Rappahannock Community College where I am privileged enough to work. Shortly after my supervisor, Dean Bradshaw,
sent a notice to the faculty announcing my recent crowning, he requested an interview with me! Luckily, for my first official engagement, I didn't have to
travel far--we met in the comfort of my very own office on campus. We had a lovely conversation about the Ms Wheelchair Va. program and my experience
as a contestant, as well as my future prospects as a titleholder. When we spoke about my platform, “Breaking Down Stereotypes to Build Opportunities” , he
asked me : “Do you think your students have a different perspective of disability because of you.” I know, I must have smiled all over myself, because
showing the world (most directly through the kids I see everyday) a new face of disability is the driving force behind my advocacy plan. The article has yet
to come out, but I will keep you all posted :)

April 12 (Monday) Interview with Jessica Sterrett-- Northumberland Echo, Warsaw Virginia Again, another interview with the local paper. The
Northumberland Echo is the paper I've grown up reading in my local community. My name and face is no stranger to this local institution--- I've been in
school functions, on the honor roll, even my accident was featured at one time--however, I don't think that I've ever had my name in there for anything that
has filled me with such pride. Jessie Sterrett, my interviewer, and I grew up together throughout school, so this interview really wasn't all that
intimidating. What I particularly enjoyed about this interview and the opportunity of being in the local paper, is that it provided a way for me to say
“Thank You” to a community that has supported me, not only with sponsorship for this years program, but throughout a longer period. My community had
faith in me when I didn't have faith in myself, and by being an advocate and a positive outcome to what at one time was a very bleak situation, I can show
them that their efforts were not in vain!

April 23 (Friday) Interview with Kat Simons --Lite 98, Richmond Virginia Wow! What an exciting engagement. I've never been to a radio station before-- I
had NO idea that there were seven different radio stations housed in the same area. I met with Kat Simons (someone I listen to on the radio occasionally)
and she is one of the sweetest people ever. She has such an big heart and amazing spirit that loves the Ms Wheelchair Va Organization. We had a brief
interview discussing my upcoming year, and a little bit about the program itself. Her enthusiasm is so contagious! I can't wait to have an opportunity to
talk with her again. One a side note, while I was there, she introduced me to my favorite DJ and the radio station I listen to all the time in my car-- Crash,
from 102.1, the X! He's very nice and even posed for a picture with me! Although, this has not been an overly busy month for me, it's been a wonderful start
for what I hope will be one exciting journey!
XOXO,
Niki