Afterwards, we went out to lunch at Bennigan's and I had the honor of sitting with Ms Virginia Buddy Hayes and Elli her escort. Buddy is an outgoing individual despite her disability she is the "Bomb" she's was always smiling and making a jokes she even gave the chef a hand. Buddy's background is amazing she had a camera crew with her at all times doing a documentary about her. To learn more about Buddy please check out her website and see the advocating that she does for Virginia http://www.mswheelchairva.com/. Right after lunch we had a group photo of all the contestants this was quite a task for the photographer.We then headed back to the hotel to work on a quilt for the next Ms Wheelchair America 2008. One of my hobbies is quilting so this was a lot of fun for me. I received a blocked square to create a drawing of a block that would represent my state so I drew the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco using a pen. For the evening entertainment that night all the contestants exchanged a gift that represented their state and played name that country.
My state gift was given to Ms Rhode Island Kathy Leonard she has been advocating for over thirty years she is a graduate of Rhode Island College and the University of RI. She is a retired school teacher and librarian from the Pawtucket School Department. She volunteers for many organizations including PARI and Independent Radio.Kathy's personal motto is "If I think I can, I can" Please check out her website http://www.mswheelchairrhodeisland.org/.
I received Ms Ohio's state gift she is Janni Mitchell she was appointed by the Ohio Governors Council for People with Disabilities and has received recognition from the Internal Association of Assistance Dog Partners. She is a vital part of bringing awareness to her community. This was an amazing evening and it was a night to get to know the other state contestants.
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