Push America Board Meeting

My first encounter with Push America came my sophomore year in college, when I paused on the long jaunt from the TCU student newspaper office to my dorm, to cry. Pain in my arms, caused by torn cartilage and further exacerbated by my stubbornness, was making it impossible for me to traverse the campus in my manual wheelchair. As I was sobbing, a friend of mine and member Pi Kappa Phi stopped to console me. I confided in him that unless I purchased a motorized scooter soon, not only would I lose function in my hands, but I would also have to forgo a pending semester as a Washington Center intern. As a dual major in journalism and political science, the thought of losing my chance to live in D.C. and receive college credit was almost more than I could bear.

He helped to my room and then prompted rallied his fraternity brothers to raise the funds needed to purchase a scooter. That summer I met the Journey of Hope 2000 cyclists and crew at the steps of the U.S. Capitol, and I collected a check to fund my motorized ride. I also witnessed first-hand the transformative nature of the JOH experience. Even as Push America mourned the death of Jason Tirado and Todd Porterfield, they celebrated their lives of service to others, particularly people with disabilities.

How could I not be part of an organization that does such tremendous work? I joined the Push America Board of Directors in 2006, and am forever grateful not only for the work they do, but for the example our participants set on college campuses.

This weekend our board met with the National Council of Pi Kappa Phi. I think the ideas and strategies shared will help shape a remarkable future for fraternity and Push. I presented information about my Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky platform to the Push America Board, and thank them in advance for their support.