Emily McGrail of Radford Crowned
Ms. Wheelchair VA 2011-2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2011
Fishersville,
VA. The
Ms. Wheelchair VA Board of Directors is proud to announce that
Emily McGrail of Radford was crowned Ms. Wheelchair VA on
Saturday, March 19th at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in
Fishersville, Virginia. The program’s theme “Celebrate Life”
showcased the accomplishments of six remarkable women who have overcome
challenges and obstacles to achieve and accomplish great success.
Emily is a former elementary school teacher who
is currently seeking to return to school to obtain her Master’s degree. A
2000 Graduate of Radford University, Emily received a Bachelor of Science in
Interdisciplinary Studies and holds a Collegiate Professional License for K-5
Elementary Education. A cancer survivor, she began using a wheelchair
after complications from radiation therapy to treat a spinal cord tumor that she
had since birth. Emily’s platform for advocacy is "Educating Our Future
on How There is Ability in Disability". Her Motto of Inspiration is “There
is ability in disability". After being crowned Emily commented, "As Ms.
Wheelchair Virginia 2011, I will be a voice for those with disabilities, and I
hope to be an inspiration to ALL Virginians."
First runner up and
Scholarship Award recipient in this year’s program was Rhonda Beach
from Lebanon; Stephanie Copeland of Richmond
was second runner up and also received the award for Ms.
Congeniality from fellow contestants.
“We are all so
excited about Emily being crowned Ms. Wheelchair VA 2011-2012,”
states Pam Cobler, Executive Director of Ms. Wheelchair VA.
“She is an amazing woman of strength, heart, and talent.
It is our honor to work with her this year!”
This year’s program was
possible because of the generous support of sponsors including this year’s Diamond Sponsors
Woodrow
Wilson
Rehabilitation
Center, and AmeriCorps. For a
complete listing of corporate sponsors, to invite Ms. Wheelchair
Virginia at your next engagement, for information on becoming a contestant, or
for more information on sponsorship opportunities please visit
www.mswheelchairva.com .
Ms. Wheelchair
Virginia, a 501(c)(3), is the largest Ms. Wheelchair
state program in the country. Focusing on the accomplishments of
Virginians with disabilities the mission is to educate, advocate and raise
awareness of the abilities and needs of the disability community; but more
importantly, to inspire and motivate Virginians as role models of courage and
hope.
