Susan Rotchy Ms Wheelchair California 2007: North Bay Stand Down October 2

Sunday, October 7, 2007

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!

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BIO

Susan Rotchy, Ms Wheelchair California 2007 currently resides in Dixon with her husband and two children. She was left paralyzed from an automobile accident 11 years ago. Since her accident Susan has become an activist for people with disabilities beginning with, having a voice at the community college she attended and with that voice enforcing the college to become ADA compliance. Realizing, she had an aptitude to bring the disability community and the able body community together from this experience she proceed straight to the capitol while completing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Golden Gate University.
Susan wanted to move her paralyzed body again and realized that there was potential research being done for spinal cord injuries but there was no adequate funding for the scientists. In 2000 she helped pass the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act through her membership in Californians for Cures, which also took an active part in the passage of Proposition 71, the Stem Cell Research and Cures Act 2004. Additionally, she is one of the co-founders of Research for Cure, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which raises money for neurological diseases, which has raised 300,000 dollars for the Reeve Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine. For her continuous work on raising monies for research she has been thanked by the late Christopher Reeves and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Today, Susan sits on the In Home Support Service advisory committee for Solano County and is a past board member of Independent Living Resource of Contra Costa County and Solano County. She is an active member of the Napa Spinal Cord Network Group as well as vice president of Research for Cure. She is employed as program manager at Independent Living Resource in Fairfield. Her platform is bringing awareness to the programs available for people with disabilities to live independent lives. Her motto is “United As One”.

Press Release of Ms Wheelchair California 2007

Crowning March 3, 2007
It is with great pride and particular pleasure that the Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant presents the 2007 title holder, Susan Rotchy, a resident of Dixon and the First Runner Up, Lilly Simmons of Glendora. Ms. Rotchy, 41, received her title at the Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant, held Saturday March 3rd at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Riverside in front of a standing room only audience. Ms. Rotchy became a wheelchair user as the result of a crash in 1996 caused by a blown tire that caused her vehicle to roll over. She sustained a significant spinal cord injury resulting in her paraplegia. Ms. Rotchy is married with 2 children ages 15 and 17. Ms. Rotchy graduated from Golden Gate University with a bachelors degree in business. Ms Rotchy's disAbility rights advocacy have included numerous testimonies before various state legislative committees and being a member of a statewide Stem Cell Research advocacy organization. Stem Cell research is her primary platform. The First Runner Up is Lilly Simmons of Glendora. Ms. Simmons, age, 48, is married and has 2 adult children. Ms. Simmons is an author and works at data entry in her husband's business. Ms. Simmons disAbility is the result of a congenital malformation of the blood vessels of her spine. Her disAbility advocacy activities include working with spiritual and medical organizations.

Ruthee Goldkorn Executive Director, Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant

First Runner Up "Lilly Simmons"

Lilly came in as 1st runner up at the Ms Wheelchair California Pageant 2007. She published her first book May 2005. "The Mourning Dove," and from this endeavor speaking engagements and a television interview has ensued.

Lilly's passion is to motivate and encourage others to reach their fullest potential by getting past physical, spirtual and emotional blocks.

Although her affinity leans toward inspirational writing, she finds great reward from collaborating on dark dramas and dark comedies as well.

Lilly is married with two grown daughters and is also a partner in her husband's business.

You may contact Lilly at langsimmons@dslextreme.com

Susan Rotchy Ms Wheelchair California 2007

Sunday, October 7, 2007

North Bay Stand Down October 2 - 4

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Be the next Ms Wheelchair California 2008

Susan Rotchy

BIO

Crowning March 3rd, 2007 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Riverside

Press Release of Ms Wheelchair California 2007

To view all Appearances click on 2007

First Runner Up "Lilly Simmons"

Lilly simmons

Ms Wheelchair California