Ms Wheelchair California 2008, Shannon Coe

Shannon Coe, Ms Wheelchair California 2008, lives in Davis with her husband. Shannon was born in a devastated post-war Vietnam and was afflicted with polio as the result of a broken immunization infrastructure. Fleeing the political aftermath of the war, Shannon’s parents lovingly carried her as a four-year-old child on the dangerous journey from refugee camp to refugee camp until they were sponsored by a church to immigrate to the United States.

In the U.S. Shannon received her first wheelchair and grew up to appreciate international affairs and advocacy for disability rights. In 2000, she received a BA from U.C. Berkeley in Mass Communications. Shannon also studied abroad in England where she was successful in having a Member of Parliament spend a day following her around campus in a wheelchair to understand the barriers that confronted students with disabilities. Shannon continued to advocate for disability rights issues in the U.S. where she interned with the ADA section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C, and also with the City of Berkeley.

After graduation, Shannon was selected to attend the Beijing +5 UN Declaration and Platform for Action conference to evaluate the progress of women with disabilities under the UN Convention and the National Youth Leadership Network conference. Shannon later worked as an Acting Program Coordinator for the Fulfillment Fund Teen Access Program, a non-profit organization that provides mentors and educational resources for teens with disabilities. She has also been a mentor for young women with disabilities for the Youth Empowerment Project, and a trainer for Mobility International USA.

From 2004-2006, Shannon served in Paraguay as a Peace Corps Volunteer, working with NGO’s and the Paraguayan government on projects to improve basic disability rights for Paraguayans with disabilities. Shannon has also twice raised sufficient funds to travel to developing nations with Joni and Friends (a nonprofit organization) to distribute hundreds of wheelchairs at a time to some of the world’s poorest people with disabilities.

Shannon will be studying for a Masters degree in international affairs at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in the Fall. Her personal and professional passions have taken her to 41 countries, and with the help of a merit scholarship to attend MIIS, Shannon intends to specialize in human rights for people with disabilities both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Wheelchair California is available for speaking engagements, master of ceremony events, parades, photo opportunities and other community events. All events will be considered, and if deemed appropriate and scheduling allows the Ms. Wheelchair California Program will do its best to accommodate your request. Please Contact: Ms Wheelchair California 2008 directly at hyshannon@yahoo.com or call (530) 204-7628. Please visit her http://mswheelchairca08.blogspot.com/ for the advocacy she will be doing for the State of California.

Shannon will compete for Ms Wheelchair America 2009! The Pageant will be held on Monday, July 21, 2008 through Sunday, July 27, 2008 Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, United States 20852-1699. To help sponsor Shannon's trip to Nationals please contact Shannon or come and cheer her on!!

First Runner Up Ms Wheelchair California 2008 Camisha Grandberry

Camisha Grandberry

seec@live.com

(909) 693-6867

March 8th Ms Wheelchair California 2008 Pageant

This was a wonderful evening our California State Pageant was held at the Respect Ability Conference in Los Angles at the Marriott hotel. It was a full house of excitement for the crowning of the new Ms Wheelchair California 2008. We had two quality contestants Shannon Coe Ms Wheelchair California 2008 and First Runner Up Camisha Grandberry.

Please check out Shannon Coe blogspot. http://mswheelchairca08.blogspot.com/

I will post bio's on them soon!

Thank You! For Sponsoring us with Mary Kay Products Susan Chandler (Barnhill)

disAbility Advocate and Easy Access & California Disability Rights Treasurer

Why not join CDR--check out the CDR website http://www.disabilityrights-cdr.org/ for details on how to join! Also, CHECK OUT SUSAN'S COLUMN at http://www.lila.ucla.edu/!

Wonderful evening! Great Job Ruthee Goldkorn

Executive Director, Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant
Ms. Wheelchair California 2001

knowbarriers@yahoo.com

March 5th 2008 Susan Rotchy says Goodbye

It has been an incredible year! It is time to pass down my title to the new Ms Wheelchair California 2008. I have made life long friends all over America and in my home state. I have seen the impact one person can make to bring awareness to the accomplishments of people with disabilities and educate the public on the physical barriers one faces everyday. I must thank my husband and my sons for their support they have given me throughout the year. I could never have accomplished so much without their encouragement and the time they were willing to give up as a family since most of my appearances were during our family time.

I will continue to be an advocate and will be moving on to a new chapter in my life. I will continue to support the incoming Ms Wheelchair California as well as the pageant. I will also continue to support all the programs that bring awareness and achievements to people with disabilities including products that make our life easier and to bring awareness to the activities that promote are achievements that one has accomplished. Thank You Everyone for your SUPPORT!

Susan Rotchy

Ms Wheelchair California 2007

December 29th Tournement of Roses Appearance

Tournament of Roses appearance in Pasadena was a lot of fun and it brought awareness to the titles we serve for advocacy. We made quite an impression that the Kiwanis asked that Ms Wheelchair America and Ms Wheelchair California be on their float for 2009!!! Please check out their website http://www.kiwanis.org/. It was great to see Kristen Ms Wheelchair America 2008 and Lily First Runner up for Ms Wheelchair California.

December 11th-13th Moving forward in Stem Cells at UC Irvine

The Research for Cure team went to Irvine to celebrate the start of clinical trials in sub-acute spinal cord injuries. This was a magical evening and the next day we shopped until we dropped and went out to dinner with Karen Miner and friends and toured the lab the following day.

December 6th A Workshop on Disability at Solano Community College

Today, I spoke at Solano Community College on advocacy for people with disabilities. I was a part of Annie's presentation from Opportunity House which is a women's homeless shelter. The group as well as the class will all become great social workers and I look forward to working with them at Independent Living Resource in Solano County. I had a wonderful time and the students went away with a great understanding of a day in my shoes with no task one can't overcome.

Solano Transportation Meeting December 4th

Tonight, our community was heard on behalf of people with disabilities at the Solano Transportation Meeting in Fairfield. I and the In-home Support Service Advisory Committee as well as other county agencies spoke up of the ongoing issues of public transportation including the window time of pickup for Para Transit. I do believe our voices made quite an impact to the City Council. Thank you all that attend this meeting! Our voices were heard in behalf of people with disabilities.

The New Ms Wheelchair America 2008

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007, 2nd Runner Up Ms. Wheelchair America 2008
Kristen McCosh, "Leading By Example"
Boston, MA, United States
Kristen was chosen as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007. A gifted speaker and writer, she is currently finishing a Women's Fiction novel series featuring women with disabilities as heroines. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and has studied toward her MPH at Boston University School of Public Health. Kristen is employed as the Editor In Chief of "Solutions" e-magazine, published by Hire Disability Solutions, LLC - www.hireds.com. She also works as an Early Intervention Program Consultant with newly-injured SCI patients at Spaulding Rehab Hospital. Kristen sustained a C6 spinal cord injury (SCI) in a diving accident at the age of 15. She lives in Boston and Falmouth, Cape Cod, with her husband.

http://mswheelchairmass07.blogspot.com/ http://www.mswheelchairamerica08.blogspot.com/

Alana Wallace say's Goodbye

November 22nd Ms Wheelchair America 2008 Alana Wallace has resigned because of philosophical differences with MWA about how best to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities. Alana Wallace is a great advocate and I wish her well in everything she does in life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have been working hard at work and very busy with bringing awareness to the accomplishments of people with disabilities but during my month off I wanted to take a moment to bring thanks to all the wonderful people that I have met through my reign as Ms Wheelchair California. I have made such lasting friendships for years to come and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of everyone's lives. Next month will be busy and I will keep you all updated on appearances.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Susan Rotchy
Ms Wheelchair California 2007

October 20th Ability to Compete Together Games

23rd Annual *ACT* Ability to Compete Together games
Blaze Sports Sacramento
Sponsored by City of Sacramento Access Leisure

ACT Games Mission Statement
"Challenge Me, I Will Succeed" The A.C.T. Games contribute to the physical social and psychological development of children, youth and teens with physical disabilities. The A.C.T. Games provides many opportunities for growth. Each athlete is given the opportunity to improve physical fitness, learn new skills, experiment with challenging new sports equipment, express courage and make new friends.

I was honored with the "Honorary Games Director" for A.C.T. Games
Thank you! "Access Leisure" for the plaque and reminding me of "Why! I entered the Ms Wheelchair pageant." I had the most wonderful time to be a part of the children's experience of their year and being reminded of the impact that I make on everyone that I meet.

October 19th Disability Awareness

Today Independent Living Resource Center in Contra Costa county celebrated Disability Awareness month. We had a barbecue and invited several county guest to celebrate the accomplishments of people with disabilities and to bring awareness to the barriers one has with disabilities. We had a great afternoon!

October 12th Hawaii at the Hilton

The Fairfield Suisun Community Action Council Presents an Indooor Luau & Fudraising Event at the Hilton Garden Inn on October 12th. Community Action Council is a nonprofit that provides Basic Needs and Safety Net Services directly to the public, that is emergency-food, clothes, rental assistance, employment services, life-skills classes, literacy sessions and homeless prevention services all free of charge. Their client base is the working poor, low-income, senior citizens, disabled, and homeless population living in and around the Fairfield/ Suisun area. Their website is http://www.fairfieldcac.org/ check out their next event.

October 5th-7th Yountville Days Parade and Festival

I had the honor of riding in the Yountville Days Parade that honors are Veterans. The parade started at the Nelson Holderman Hospital (Home for are Vets) through the town of Yountville. Yountville is located in the beautiful wine country in the Napa Valley.
Yountville is located in the heart of Napa Valley the premier world famous wine growing region of Northern California, just off of Highway 29.
In 1999 the area around Yountville was approved an American Vitacultural Area (AVA), a unique area for growing grapes. Its boundaries were primarily established by those of the other existing or proposed AVA's in the large Napa Valley AVA-Oak Knoll district on the south, Oakville on the north, Stags Leap district on the east, and Mount Veeder on the west. The Town of Yountville takes its name from George C. Yount (its founding father), who had a large land grant in the Napa Valley and who was the first to plant grapes there. The Yountville AVA is warmer than the Carneros AVA, but cooler than areas to the west and north of it. The area encompasses about 8,260 acres with not quite half of that planted to vineyards. Chardonnay is the dominant of varietals, especially in vineyards to the south where it's coolest. Merlot and Cabernet Franc do well here, as does Cabernet Sauvignon in the AVA's northern portion.
Visitors will enjoy its small town atmosphere, renowned work-class restaurants, luxury hotels and inns, premium wineries and shopping. http://www.townofyountville.com/index.html

North Bay Stand Down October 2 - 4

Veterans and a Community Helping Veterans
"A hand up, not a hand out!"
All veterans in need, and their families, are welcome!

What is Stand Down?
Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings; California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA), United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Social Security benefits counseling; and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment.

Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between CDVA Veterans Services Division district offices (Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego), the VA, the California Employment Development Department, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless, including the members of the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies.

The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by Vietnam Veterans of San Diego. Since then, Stand Downs have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless veterans, reaching more than 200,000 veterans and their family members nationwide between 1994-2000. http://www.northbaystanddown.org/

I have participated in the past few years at the North Bay Stand Down as a Benefits Specialist. Thank you! Everyone for helping out!

September 15th Granting a Wish

This evening I witnessed a wish for Muffin Latham a 71 year old senior that requested a wish to hit a pitched baseball. Twilight Wish is a foundation founded in 2003 in Bucks County, PA, Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to enrich the lives of elders that have served others. Through wish granting and group celebrations, they give our seniors unexpected "thank yous" for time devoted unselfishly to their families' welfare, charitable organizations, and the communities they all share. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special event organizers, and in numerous other functions. To learn more about Twilight Wish please visit their website http://www.twilightwishfoundation.org/

Afterwards I watched the children play baseball and cheered them on at the River Cats Independence Field. Children, Adults With Disabilities Have Their Own ‘Field of Dreams’ River Cats Independence Field is now Open With Kids Playing Baseball, Some for the First Time WHAT: A “field of dreams” for thousands of people with disabilities in the Sacramento region featuring the inaugural first pitches and many more being thrown and caught by the stars themselves – children with disabilities.

River Cats Independence Field is surfaced with a rubberized, track-like material that makes it easily navigable for individuals in wheelchairs and walkers. This is believed to be the only baseball field for people with disabilities in the nation that features the rubberized surface throughout the infield and outfield and is the size of a regular 200-foot Little League diamond.

WHO: • Mike Ubaldi, chair of River Cats Independence Field Advisory Committee. • Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and City Council Member Bonnie Pannell. • Art Savage, CEO of the Sacramento River Cats Triple-A baseball team, which made River Cats Independence Field its “legacy project” as the host of the 2005 Triple-A All-Star Game in July. •

The real stars: Dozens of children and adults with disabilities, many of whom couldn’t play baseball before because regular playing surfaces were too hard to navigate and often too dangerous for play. WHERE: Samuel Pannell Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road, Sacramento. Fields are located adjacent to the center at Meadowview Road and 24th Street.

Read more about the playing field
http://movemedia.org/IndependenceField/IMPROVEMENTS/IF_IMPROVMENTS.html

September 9th A Dinner Fundraiser for Joni and Friends

Tonight I attended a fundraiser event given by Shannon and Dakota Coe on behalf of “Joni and Friends”. This dinner was a 10-course meal and all the money raised this evening will support a team of professionals along with funding to bring people with disabilities the wheelchairs they need to Cuba. Shannon will be going to Cuba October 26th-November 4th to deliver the wheelchairs to the recipients, making sure each recipient has a wheelchair that fits their disability and need.

September 6th USA Tennis Tourment at Donner Lake

View this article http://www.sierrasun.com/article/200770906023

Athletes compete in Truckee on way to Beijing

Tournament draws wheelchair tennis players from around world

By Greyson HowardSierra Sun, ghoward@sierrasun.comSeptember 6, 2007

World-class wheelchair tennis is rolling into Truckee this weekend.Starting today (Friday) and running through Sunday, the 22nd annual Tahoe Donner International Wheelchair Tennis Sectional Championship will be held at the Tahoe Donner Club. Athletes will vie for points toward the U.S. Open Championship in San Diego, and the Paralympic Games in Beijing.“It’s a pretty incredible event,” said tournament director Robbie McClendon. “They are tremendous athletes.”McClendon said about 60 athletes will compete, arriving in Truckee from all over the world. Competitors will include residents of Canada, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Germany Chile, Mexico, Japan, Australia and South Korea.The tournament’s founder, Bonni Sue Hickson, said this year’s tourney has attracted a record number of open-class women players. McClendon attributed the sport’s draw to how well tennis lends itself to athletes in wheelchairs.“Wheelchair tennis is a pretty large sport; you don’t really see wheelchair baseball,” McClendon said. “It’s a great sport for them because they can basically play as normally as an able player could.”Good fitHickson agreed that tennis is a better fit for athletes in wheelchairs than other sports.“It’s one of the fastest-growing sports; it’s not like you need a team like in basketball,” she said, adding that being in a wheelchair adds to the sport. “It’s like two sports in one; you get the maneuvering in the chair, and the game and skill of the sport.”Athletes use special, quick-turning wheelchairs, and a two-bounce rule allows them more time to get to the ball, McClendon said.Eric “Dyno” Daniels was a Truckee-Tahoe resident from 1989 to 1995, when he was paralyzed in an accident. He lived in the area again from 1997 to 2000, and will be among this year’s competitors.Part of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, Daniels says he was frustrated when he tried adaptive skiing, but found a new niche in wheelchair tennis, winning the U.S. Open in both singles and doubles in 2003.

August 29th A day with the staff at the Oakland A's Game

I am the Program Manager at Independent Living Resource in Fairfield . Today all the offices met for a day of fun and relaxation and to cheer for the Oakland A's.

Independent living Resource is a non-profit organization serving Contra Costa and Solano counties (California), under consumer direction. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to: Control their own lives. Provide advocacy and support for individuals with disabilities to live independently. Create an accessible community free of physical and attitudinal barriers. Visit are site http://ilrcoco-sol.org/default.aspx

Special photo's of my family and friends

Family photo Alex(18) to the left of me and Gary my husband with my son Joey(15) at the right. In the other photo's is Michelle and Stephanie taken the day of the benefit.