Press Release

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. of Columbus, Ohio will compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America-Ohio Pageant on February 23, 2002 at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, Ohio. The pageant is open to the public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $7. Presently there are 8 contestants.

This is the first step in Rossetti's goal to be Ms. Wheelchair America. She will be interviewed by a panel of judges and respond to the judges' questions on stage. She will also give a short presentation.

The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair America Program Inc. is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Contestants are judged on their accomplishments, community skills, self perception and projection in personal interviews, on-stage interviews and platform speech presentations.

Contestants must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 21-60 and utilize a wheelchair for daily mobility. Marital status is not a consideration.

Rossetti, a Columbus native, was paralyzed as a result of being crushed by a 3 ? ton falling tree while riding her bicycle in June of 1998. After two years of rehabilitation, she resumed her career.

She is a professional inspirational speaker, trainer, consultant and writer, and produces a monthly inspirational column with a circulation of 31,000 readers. She is a specialist in communication and presentation skills, and train the trainer programs.

Rossetti was selected for her inspirational ability to be a torchbearer in Columbus in January 2002 for the Winter Olympics. Her speaking programs and writing help people focus on a hopeful future and inspire them to do more with their lives. As a result of the lessons she has learned in coping with change and dealing with adversity, she shares tips on bouncing back from a crisis.

As an active advocate for the disabled, Rossetti has been a mentor for three paralyzed women. She has testified twice at the Ohio Statehouse in support of a bill to raise money for spinal cord and head injury research from speeding ticket fines. She initiated and sought funds for a spinal cord injury research foundation at The Ohio State University.

Rossetti shares her philosophy, "I strive to offer my wisdom and inspiration to others so that they too will believe that the impossible just might be possible." Her goals are to "bring out the best in people and demonstrate how to live life with conviction."

Rossetti was nominated by Steve Ricker of The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition in recognition of her active involvement with the adaptive sports program.

A Columbus, Ohio physiatrist, Dr. Philip K. Wood, established Ms. Wheelchair America in 1972 as a forum for the promotion of the achievements as well as the needs of mobility impaired persons. He devoted his career to the treatment and rehabilitation of the functionally impaired individual. He was aware of the capabilities, determination, talent and courage of the handicapped.

This non-profit program is coordinated by volunteers throughout the nation who are dedicated to increasing public awareness so that disabled citizens will be able to lead productive and meaningful lives. Twenty nine states will be involved in the national pageant in August 2002 in Maryland.

The Ms. Wheelchair America Program Inc. is in no way a beauty contest. It is a competition to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for disabled Americans.

Ms. Wheelchair America must be able to communicate both the needs and the accomplishments of her constituency to the general public, the business community and the legislature. She is charged with a continuing effort to educate the public regarding the dignity, productiveness and basic value of handicapped people. She assumes responsibility for the ongoing effort to eliminate the architectural and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disabilities from assuming their rightful place in society.

The duties of Ms. Wheelchair America include: visiting advocacy groups, making public appearances, conducting press and media interviews and promoting the program by assisting in the establishment of committees in all states.

For more information about the Ms. Wheelchair America-Ohio Pageant, contact: Stacey Hubbard, State Coordinator, SAH8888@aol.com; 419-884-2697.

For more information about the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant contact: Pat O'Bryant, Executive Director (877)679-4335; www.mswheelchairamerica.org