Susan Rotchy Ms Wheelchair California 2007: December 2007

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

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.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

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.

Monday, December 3, 2007

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.

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

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

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

December 6th A Workshop on Disability at Solano Community College

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Solano Transportation Meeting December 4th

Monday, December 3, 2007

The New Ms Wheelchair America 2008

Alana Wallace say's Goodbye

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