Wheelchair pageant brings out the beauty within

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Program creates a new notion of "beauty" and showcases the accomplishments of women with disabilities.

By Krittiya Wongtavavimarn

4/22/10

With the name Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts, some might think of a beauty contest. In fact, it has nothing to do with size 2 ladies with gorgeous hair and smiles, strutting in swimsuits and high heels. The competition is all about passion for advocacy and beauty from within as well as skin deep.

Each year, a different titleholder, who wears the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts crown and sash, creates a platform statement about disabilities and a new notion of "beauty." Started in 2005, the contest is based on private and on-stage interviews and platform speech presentations to find a state spokeswoman for people with disabilities.

Autumn Grant, state coordinator of Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation, said this is neither a beauty pageant, nor an inspirational, emotional contest. But it is a stage for the women to inform the public about the realities of ability and achievement of people with disabilities.

"I don't want people to be inspired, or be shocked by the fact that we, women with disabilities, have an education and jobs, or can do something for the community. They shouldn't see our 'ability' as an extraordinary accomplishment; it should be a norm," said Grant, who was also a Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2006 and Ms. Wheelchair America 2007.

The main goal of the contest, Grant said, is to showcase the talents of the participating women. The selected representative is responsible for communicating with policymakers and promoting awareness of the elimination of barriers attached to people with disabilities to the general public. She also participates in the annual Ms. Wheelchair America Program with other titleholders from more than 20 states.

In the Ms. Wheelchair competition, beauty comes in many different sizes, shapes and forms, said Grant.

"It's a combination of everything contestants have to offer: education, job and passion," Grant said. "But many women think this contest is based on looks, and this perception is very difficult to change."

Ashley Mears, assistant professor of sociology at Boston University, said the pageant for women in wheelchairs gives a broader definition to the word beauty, which is normally related to outer appearance and healthiness. Though women in wheelchairs look "unusual" by society's standards, Mears believes the pageant has a positive impact on how the general public sees people with disabilities.

"It's interesting by putting the two categories,beauty and disability, together, which in our imagination are often apart," said Mears, who is the author of "Pricing Beauty: The Making of a Fashion Model." "Here's a pageant for women with disabilities. It raises a larger question about what beauty is, why do we think of beauty in such a narrow term?"

With the challenges women with disabilities face , such as double discrimination of gender and physical disability, Ashley Speicher, Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2009, believed that the pageant is a great tool to boost self-worth and beauty in women. Each titleholder, she added, serves as a positive role model for other women with disabilities.

"Even though we are not able to walk, it doesn't mean that we are worthless," said Speicher. "We see that women have been seen as weaker and not as capable as men. Having a female role model is very important for other women to see what they can accomplish, set goals for, and be proud of themselves."

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010, Santara Sen, said this competition educates the public to avoid making assumptions about individuals' abilities and restrictions based on physical looks.

"I really don't feel that I'm disabled. Just because my legs don't work doesn't mean the rest of me doesn't work," said the 26-year-old. "In most cases we just live our lives like everybody else. We want people to know that we are a part of society and what we are capable of."

While staff and past titleholders expect to see an expansion of the state program, each year, the contest receives a small number of participants, with seven contestants in 2009 and three in 2010.

Laura Labdon, the first Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts and a founder of the foundation, believed that many women who do not want to participate perhaps associate the word "pageant" with beauty. Plus, many of them may lack confidence and public speaking skills, she said.

"Some people just don't feel comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. I think this is why it's difficult to find an eligible contestant, and that put them off even before they really try," said Labdon, who has a spinal-cord injury and has been in a wheelchair for more than 20 years.

Take Alejandra Taco, 25. She said she could not imagine seeing herself participating the contest because of stage fright.

"I understand that they don't focus on looks, but this type of event requires a lot of public speaking, and I never thought I would do it. I'm anxious over being in front of the crowd," she said.

Labdon, however, said women in wheelchairs can make a difference in society whether on or off stage.

"The most powerful thing people in wheelchairs can do is to get out into society to be seen, and to do things anybody else does, like going to school and going out to restaurants," Labdon said. "Even if you are not a public speaker, every time you go out there and someone sees you live your normal life, that can be a powerful message."