Miss Wheelchair stands up

2005-07-24 21:24

Jessica Pasko

Albany, New York - Kristen Connors has been named Miss Wheelchair America, capping months of squabbling over the pageant's qualifying process that divided the disabled community.

Connors, who uses a wheelchair because of spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy, works for Democratic representative James Langevin.

"I'm absolutely thrilled, it's beyond words," Connors told WXXA-TV on Saturday. "I hope to put a face to disability, especially disability in women."

The pageant was thrown into turmoil in April after Miss Wisconsin, Janeal Lee, was stripped of her title when a photograph of her standing appeared in a local newspaper.

Lee, a maths teacher who has muscular dystrophy, said that although she can stand and walk for short periods of time, she primarily uses a scooter. Many disability advocates argued pageant officials shouldn't judge how disabled a contestant must be.

Connors, 33, of Rhode Island, will now travel around the country, raising awareness about issues related to living with disabilities. She replaces last year's winner, Juliette Rizzo.

Lee said last week that she thinks the departure of pageant executive director Pat O'Bryant, 62, will allow the programme to reassess its mission and reform its image.

After the flap, Lee was given the title of Miss disAbility International, a new competition launched by the Oklahoma City-based World Association of Persons With Disabilities.

- SAPA