Congratulations to Jennifer Kumiyama, the new Ms. Wheelchair California 2010! Though she will always be 1st Runner Up in the 2009 pageant, I am extremely proud of her for becoming my successor! Margarita Elizondo placed 1st Runner Up in the Ms. Wheelchair California 2010 pageant.
My final journey and weekend of being Ms. Wheelchair California 2009 was definitely bittersweet. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the ladies who were vying for the next spot as Ms. Wheelchair California, and I also enjoyed getting to see friends whom I've gained throughout this past year. It was so enjoyable!
I was able to help encourage and coach each lady through what the judges were looking for and expected as well as calm some nerves and answer questions about the year to come.
What a blessing it was this year to be featured in the upcoming documentary called "Defining Beauty: More than a Crown and a Sash." I'm so excited to see the final product!
Listening to some of the ladies' platform speeches was very encouraging as each clearly had a focus and platform that they believed in.
PMTD/Flexiciser is a fantastic sponsor of the Ms. Wheelchair California program, and each winner is allowed to have one in her home for the entire year of her reign. I absolutely loved having the opportunity to use this wonderful movement therapy device as it helped decrease my spasms, reduced my nerve pain, and allowed my muscles to relax after a long day of appearances. I couldn't wait to get home off the airplane and get right into this amazing machine!
Erika Bogan, Ms. Wheelchair America 2010, was able to be with us at the Abilities Expo during our pageant. How exciting to have the actual "queen" with us!
Some of the ladies preparing for the crowning!
A surprise visit from the newly crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington came to visit!
I couldn't have asked for a better year than the year I held the title of Ms. Wheelchair California 2009. I have enjoyed every moment, each person I've met, and the memories that will truly last a lifetime. Thank you to each and every one of you who supported me and encouraged me along the way, and a special thanks to the Ms. Wheelchair California and Ms. Wheelchair America Board for allowing me this opportunity. 
Don't forget, though, this isn't the end!! I still hold my 2nd Runner Up to Ms. Wheelchair America 2010 title through the end of August 2010! :)
I was excited to be a part of the Physical Movement Therapy Device (PMTD) Movement Therapy Gala (Flexiciser) on April 8th at the Marriott in downtown Los Angeles. Wonderful people, great food, contagious laughter, and an amazing medical movement device called the Flexiciser makes for one amazing evening! I was honored to sit at one of the head tables with the President of Flexiciser, Bryan Mallidine, as well as some friends of mine.
The director, Alexis Ostrander, of the upcoming documentary, "Defining Beauty: More than a Crown and a Sash" was there as well, so we got our picture taken in front of the "famous background".
Sitting with me at the table was Dr. Suzy Kim who was awarded the "Medical Practitioner Excellence Award." Though I don't see her as "Dr. Suzy Kim," I was so proud of her! I know her from surfing!! So seeing each other dressed up was a rarity, as we are usually in wetsuits alongside each other.
Another great friend is Madonna Long of Cloe Magazine. We had so many laughs that night!
I was also honored to sit alongside Erica Davis who recently (February 2010) conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania... in a wheelchair! Simply amazing and awe inspiring!
Richard Kiel was honored with an award as well, and while up on the stage sharing his story, my jaw dropped as I heard his story. We both suffered disabilities while leaving Yosemite National Park. We chatted for quite some time as we shared similar stories, and he is a born again Christian. He is a great guy and sincerely enjoyed meeting him. In case you don't recognize him, he was "Jaws" in the "The Spy Who Loved Me" among many others like "The Giant of Thunder Mountain" and "Happy Gilmore."
Thank you for such a special night of wonderful inspiration!
