A New Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania is Crowned

On March 21, 2010, Kristin Durniok was crowned the new the new Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania. Kristin, a Service Coordinator for UCP/CLASS’ Attendant Care Program, is honored to serve as an advocate for people of all abilities through the Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania program.

Kristin had not heard of the program before she was nominated for this pageant. However, after learning that the program promoted advocacy opportunities, Kristin was excited for the opportunity. As Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania, Kristin is informing others about the issues people in the disabled community face on a daily basis. Kristin’s platform is promoting the need for affordable accessible housing for people with disabilities.

As part of her duties, Kristin will be attending speaking engagements across Pennsylvania. For the most part, Kristin’s events have been in Allegheny County so far, but will be holding other events in Erie and Northeast Pennsylvania. Kristin has also been asked by the Center for Independent Living to be a part of the 20th Anniversary of the ADA celebration. If you are interested in booking Kristin for an event, please visit the Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania website for more details.

Because of this opportunity, Kristin has met a lot of great people who understand the basic philosophy behind the idea of independent living and integrating people with disabilities in everyday life. Through this experience, Kristin hopes to be a good role model for young people with disabilities. Hoping to bring awareness to disability related issues, Kristin stresses that individuals within the disability community are the same as everyone else. We all have problems with housing and have the same trials and tribulations and are not as different as we think. By becoming a spokesperson, Kristin hopes to tear down these stereotypes and stress to others that we all are just like everyone else.

Kristin will compete in the National Ms. Wheelchair competition in Grand Rapids Michigan on August 9, 2010. Join us in congratulating Kristin on her win and wishing her the best of luck at nationals.