Ms. Wheelchair America--The Road to Nationals

John and I are enjoying our first full day of the national experience. Please visit http://www.mswheelchairamerica.org for daily updates and photos about our experiences.

Today's Woman Magazine Honors Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky on the Moving Up Page of the July 2008 Issue

I have my own cartoon strip.

Kentuckiana's Today's Woman Magazine featured me as one of the "Successful Women You Should Meet" on the Moving Up pages of their July 2008 issue.

To pick up your copy of the July issue visit: http://www.iamtodayswoman.com/AdvContactCopy/HowToGetACopy.html

Just Because I Haven't Been Making Appearances Does Not Mean I Have Not Been Busy

I have a confession. I haven't donned my tiara in a while. But I have a few good reasons:

1. I completed my spring semester of graduate school with a 4.0.



2. I finished my graduate assistanceship for the summer with a flurry of interesting and critical projects. (at least I think they were time sensitive and important)



3. I started a spectacular and grueling internship as the coordinator for Parents Orientation offered through U of L's Office of Admissions and New Student Programs.



4. I'm a mom and a wife. Those titles should offer enough explanation. Here are relatively recent pictures of Jenna and Jackson. I am so proud of my adorable, smart kids.

Bluegrass Bash to Support Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky 2008

I will always remember the evening of April 11, 2008, as the night I pulled off a major coup in terms of event planning. Thanks in no small part to the brillant creative genius of Ronda Stumler, and the hard work and dedication of Sue Miracle and Keri Cinotto and my family, my crazy notion for a fundraiser shattered my wildest dreams and will go down in history not as a mere reality but rather a remarkable acheivement. Originally, my goal was to raise awareness about the Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky and Ms. Wheelchair America programs and facilitate my attendance at the national pageant. I envisioned a silent auction and dinner reception open to anyone who felt compelled to learn more about the program and my participation in it. What started, as most great ideas do, as a somewhat casual, dreamy conversation at a friend's kitchen table, evolved into a grand and spectacular affair with thousands of dollars raised from auctioned items and in-kind donations.

The space, part of the Bill Collins Autogroup dealership, was transformed into a trendy, classy and colorful event space. The food, a mix of catered fare from Masterson's and donated items from other establishments, was delectable. The 60 auction packages ranged from movie tickets to a rare whisky barrel head signed by Maker's Mark CEO Bill Samuels, Jr. The nearly 75 participants truly embraced my mission for the evening--to proclaim that it's through relationship building, fun and networking that our society will best deconstruct the attitudinal and physical barriers that divide us.

Special thanks to all who came! You have inspired me to think outside the box about what I can accomplish not only as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, but as a woman with passion and ideas about how to make the world a better place. The Bluegrass Bash won't really improve our world in a substantial way, but it will enable me to showcase my accomplishments this summer at Ms. Wheelchair America. Who knows what positive and powerful things might develop from that opportunity?

No Sleep; Good Cause

I won't be pulling an all-nighter, but I was happy to support those who will be.

Tonight I spoke the University of Louisville graduates participating in the third annual Dance Marathon to benefit Kosair Children's Hospital.

Students pay $50 and agree to dance for 24 hours. Activities include a rave, ballroom dancing competition, a live band and community hours where friends and family can make a donation to come in, visit, and cheer on the students. Dance Marathon participants hope to raise more than $50,000.

Homebuilder's Association of Louisville

I crafted the platform "Building Connections to Transform Perceptions" around the notion that its through networking and relationship building that true community change for the disabled is made possible. Since my reign began in November I've served as a catalyst for many conversations about equity issues in the education and employment arena, but the area where I believe the most change is needed is also the area where making connections has been a struggle.

Today I took a huge step toward facilitating education about visitability and easy access living reforms in the housing industry by meeting with Chuck Kavannah, president of the Home Builders Association of Louisville.

The Home Builders Association of Louisville includes more the 2,700 member companies, corporations and individuals involved in the greater housing industry. Its membership encompasses residential and light commercial construction, remodeling and home improvement in the Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Trimble, Henry and Spencer county areas.

Kavannah and I discussed the challenges John and I have faced in searching for an existing home or the right builder. It is my hope the meeting is really the beginning of more conversations about how builders could capitalize on a large market of aging residents and disabled adults by adjustng the way they communicate about available plans and training builders and their sales staff about the difference between barrier free living and commercial ADA specification.

Bluegrass Bash Fundraiser Coming Up

Holy Family Catholic School

My Good Friday speech to the students at Holy Family Catholic School in New Albany, Indiana reminded me once again what a wonderful honor it is to serve as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky. The families of Holy Family (particularly Ronda Stumler) will be instrumental in helping me execute a successful Bluegrass Bash fundraiser, and it was really important to me that I share my story with the students.

Holy Family educates nearly 325 students in Kindergarten to 8th grade. The curriculum is rich and spiritually guided. It was abundantly clear that students, parents, faculty and staff take great pride in their school. I toured several classrooms and presented. The final part of the assembly--the question and answer period is what blew me away. The entire student body was so attentive and polite, and they asked such insightful and engaging questions.

I am incredibly honored that Holy Family found in me, a light that reflected some of the values they instill as part of their curriculum. I may have been the one presenting to the students about accomplishing goals and believing in yourself, but they were the ones who taught me.

Jaime Blanton Day in the City of Louisville

You may have thought March 17, 2008 was St. Patrick's Day. Wrong. It's Jaime Blanton Day, at least officially, according to Louisville Metro Government. I received a proclaimation and a key to the city from Mayor Jerry Abramson at his monthly Mayors Community Conversation event at Butler High School.

John, Jenna, Jackson and my mother-in-law Kaye were on hand to help me celebrate the honor.

For those of you who are wondering neither the day nor the key (actually designed as a lapel pin) carry any specific priveleges, but the bragging rights are great.

Mayor Abramson joked that if I buy a calendar for 2009 and my day is not on it, I should take it back.

CPAK

I co-presented today at the College Personnel Association of Kentucky Annual Conference. Our presentation, Empower Disabled Student Success in College" addressed the issues disabled students face when transitioning to post secondary education, and offered solutions for ensuring greater inclusiveness in Student Affairs programming.

Job Shadowing-Larry Clark

I had the opportunity to spend the day with House Speaker Pro Tem and my Representative, Larry Clark today. Larry is in his 25th year of representation of my district. He was as interested in my advocacy efforts and genuine in his concern for constituents as they come, and the day was a true pleasure.

Larry attended several private meetings about the budget during the day, during which time I became well aquainted with his staff. What great people!

I had the opportunity to sit next to Larry during the session, was recognized on the House floor and chatted with several other representatives including Greg Stumbo and Dottie Sims.

Networking with A Networker

A platform like "Building Connections to Tranform Perceptions" necessitates that I network regularly, engage in lots of conversations and find the most efficient and effective ways to share my message so that it spreads across the Commonwealth.

Today's meeting with Melissa Mershon, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives for Louisville Metro Government, was the perfect example of "Building Connections" in action, and served as a terrific model for how community leaders network, share and empower communities. I left her office energized about my cause, and invigorated by the possibilities we created. I left with a two-page list of new contacts, and ways to share my story as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky.

Kentucky Center for the Arts

Martha Newman is responsible for Access Services for the Kentucky Center for the Arts. We met today to discuss the services the Kentucky Center provides for disabled patrons, their educational initiatives and the ways Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky and the Kentucky Center might benefit from partnering with one another.

Martha is truly a champion of inclusiveness, and a connector, so our personalities meshed well. I hope the introduction was the beginning of a long relationship.

Sharing Time with Veterans

I spent two hours today touring Louisville's VA Hospital, and it was time incredibly well spent. I chatted with each patient, learning a great deal about history, meteorology and Kentucky geography. I'm hoping the experience brought as much joy to the men I visited as it did to me.

I promise to post many of the pictures here so my new friends could show off the fact they "met a beauty queen." As soon I get clearance to post their photos, I'll add them.

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.

Meeting Governor Steve Beshear

The Commonwealth's Governor Steve Beshear has been under fire since his budget address for proposed cuts in every major state department including dramatic decreases for funding of services for the elderly and disabled, and slashing higher education by 12 percent.

So, when I had to opportunity to meet the Governor today, I made sure he understood how thrilled I am to represent the state's disabled, but also how disappointed I am that he perceives cuts to human services and higher education as necessiary to resolving Kentucky's fiscal crisis.

My arguement to him was that by cutting services for the disabled, merely identify funds in the short-term, but do long-term damage to past gains that furthered independence for so many citizens. I maintain that cuts to higher education institutions stiffle one of the state's most valuable economic engines. By tying the hands of Kentucky's university and college officials, you would not only endanger potential enrollment increases, but you also hinder efforts to keep the best and brightest students in-state. Cuts to higher education will hit disabled students hard because on most campuses the funds needed to ensure programs are inclusive and accommodated will be shifted.

While I was honored to meet Gov. Beshear, I am anxious to see how the budget situation is resolved in the House and Senate. It should also be noted that I battled ice and snow to keep my appointment with the Governor because I think the financial choices being made in Frankfort right now, are critical to the future economic viability of the Commonwealth.

Disabled Students and Residence Life

I presented today at Louisville's Bellarmine University for the Kentucky Association of Residence Halls Annual Conference about the issues disabled college student face related to residential, on-campus living. My program was entitled, "Hall Social, My Room...Wheelie Contest." I got some very positive feedback, especially for my 9 a.m. time-slot.

Integrity Foundation

Specially thanks to Shannon Main from the Integrity Foundation for meeting with me today. She is helping make Louisville's MVP Zone a reality.

Shannon is incredibly supportive of the Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky program, and I look forward to a long partnership.

Senate Debut

If timing is everything I picked the perfect day to debut at the capitol in Frankfort. The day after the governor announced major cuts to every state department, and substantially slashed general funding for postsecondary education is the day I made my Senate debut as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky 2008.

I arrived in Frankfort at 11 a.m., prepared only for a brief meeting with my senator, Denise Harper Angel, who represents Jefferson County, District 35. Instead, a remarkable turn of events unfolded and I was once again awe struck by the opportunities afforded to me as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky.

Denise Harper Angel is a strong advocate for the disabled. On our meeting day, she not only spoke on behalf of Visually Impaired Preschool Services, but she also introduced a bill which would authorize an "Amber Alert" type system when disabled adults are reported missing. Sen. Harper said she was so thrilled by my accomplishment that she wanted to introduce me on the Senate floor at 2 p.m. I was dumbfounded. I agreed to occupy myself until then by visiting other representatives and having lunch in the cafeteria.

I left her office and made some rounds, encountering several other staunch advocates, including Dr. Sheila Shuster, organizer of the 874K Rally. I also saw SGA officers from U of L, and had a chance meeting with the university's chief lobbyist, a vibrant champion for higher education who I hope will let me intern with her in the fall.

At 1:30, I rejoined Sen. Harper in the caucus room as instructed. There I was introduced to a number of her colleagues. All were warm and welcoming. Their interest in MWKY and my platform was incredibly energizing. Then at 2 p.m., I was escorted to the Senate chamber. I waited eagerly in the corner for my chance to be recognized. Anticipating only that I would be pointed out, I was not prepared for what followed. When the Senate President recognized Senator Harper, she rose and read my biography in its entirety. Everyone gathered in the chamber responded by honoring me with a standing ovation. I was completely overwhelmed, almost to the point of tears. THEN the Senate President congratulated me and asked if I would like to make any remarks. Stunned, I remember saying something about how honored I am to represent the remarkable disabled residents of Kentucky, their families and those who advocate on their behalf. My remarks were met with yet another rousing ovation, followed by some official photography.

I only wish my husband, John had been there to celebrate with me. It was a truly memorable day.

874K Coalition Rally

874,156-The number of Kentucky residents with a disability. That's nearly 23 percent of the Commonwealth's total population. AND that number does not include individuals under the age of 5 or those in long-term care facilities or prisons.

Put simply, disabled people represent the state's largest minority, and advocates would argue our voices are least heard.

Today more than 1,100 Kentucky residents, many of them either receiving or providing services to our population gathered at the Frankfort Convention Center to remind policy officials that WE COUNT. WE MATTER. WE VOTE.

My expectations for the day were to meet and mingle with those I serve as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky and perhaps connect with my legislators and others from across the state. Thanks to the gracious, inclusive attitude of event co-organizer Dr. Shelia Schuster and my own tenacity, the day became truly a hallmark of my Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky experience thus far.

Governor Steve Beshear kicked off the day by proclaiming January 23, Disability Awareness Day in Kentucky. His remarks candidly addressed concerns that the state's budget crisis could result in reductions in Medicaid and other benefits and services for the disabled. He said despite serious fiscal challenges, he wanted disability advocates to be at the table with him, raising awareness and fighting for much-needed programs.

Following his remarks, I took a chance and followed the media and the Governor to a backstage area where he was answering questions. As he prepared to leave, I approached, shook his hand and encouraged him to keep is promise not to forget the disabled population as he grapples with the challenges facing Kentucky.

My bold but impassioned move made me a secondary focus of the media spotlight, and I was interviewed by every major news station and several newspapers.

I intended to return to my seat to network and listen to the remarkable stories of those individuals on the event program. But instead found myself connecting with attendees and policy makers from across the state. Of the more than 50 legislators in attendance, I shook hands with at least half. I met countless service providers, disabled children and adults and their loved ones. It was a truly inspiring experience, especially for a "connector" like me.

The most memorable relationship I built was with my representative, Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark. Ironically, Rep. Clark lives in my neighborhood. I contacted his office yesterday to see if he was planning to attend the event, and was disappointed meetings were likely to prevent such an encounter. At the last minute, however, a meeting was cancelled. He made a special point to seek me out, and generously offered to give me a private tour of Frankfort in coming days. I am already excited about our next meeting, and hope today was the start of a great relationship. He was as sincere and genuine a gentleman as I have encountered in my policy work.

Following lunch I got the surprise of the day when event organizers asked me to fill in for a speaker who was unable to attend. With mere minutes to prepare, I'm hoping my remarks were remotely intelligible and tied to the terrific event.

Special thanks to Dr. Shuster and her team for making their day such a memorable day for me.

I'll post pictures and media coverage soon

Not the Leaders of Tomorrow--Leaders Today

Churchill Downs is about more than just the annual "Run for the Roses." It's a place where champions are created, dreams are fostered and hope lives. What a perfect location for young leaders to talk about what it takes to rise above potential and truly lead, on their campus and in their communities.

Approximately 40 first-year freshmen from the University of Louisville spent a beautiful Saturday at the Freshmen LEAD Retreat, January 12, and I had the privilege of joining them as a guest speaker. Freshmen LEAD students participate in an intensive two-year leadership training, which culminates in an opportunity for them to become REACH Ambassadors. The program fosters self-discovery about leadership skills, offers chances to interact with community professionals and helps students better connect to the U of L campus.

I spoke to the group about the tools and tricks I use to facilitate my leadership not only as Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky but also as a professional, a parent and a student. The presentation connected to directly to my platform, "Building Connections to Transform Perceptions" because I shared that my success has been due in great part to my ability to build personal relationships with members of the community.

The group was dynamic and dedicated to pursuit of a variety of causes. I look forward to following their progress as campus and community leaders.

It's All-good When It Comes Knowing Frankfort

Navigating any state capital takes skill. The best negotiators understand the nuances of the political culture and the physical grounds. They speak a language clear to pundits, politicians and laymen alike. They're passionate and professional, empowered and empathetic. And they work hard.

In my estimation, there is no better teacher about Frankfort and advocacy there on behalf of people with disabilities than David Allgood at the Center for Accessible Living. I had the chance to sit down with David today, and I'm so glad I did.

I left the meeting prepared to attend the state's 874K Rally on Jan, 23, It's the largest rally about disability issues in the Commonwealth, and many of the state's high-level officials are expected attend. I also left energized about a number of other initiatives.

"Your Kind of Place..Any Way You Say It"

Looavul, Luhvul, Loueville, Looaville, Looeyville...Louisville. As the slogan for the Louisville Convention and Visitor's Bureau clearly points out, the city I now call home can be tricky for the tongue. But it's a great place "any way you say it."

Today I say thank you Louisville. Specifically thanks to Karen Wallace of the Louisville Convention and Visitor's Bureau for so generously and graciously supporting Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky.

I met Karen during my Focus Louisville leadership experience in November. I mentioned to her that I would love to learn about the city and have things to give away, not only as I travel throughout the state, but also when I represent Kentucky at Ms. Wheelchair America. She delivered today with assistance beyond my greatest expectations. I am more energized than ever to share this city with others.

To find out more about Louisville's offerings visit: http://www.gotolouisville.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The new year has started with such a bang, that I haven't been able to post in quite some time. I have begun my assistanceship at the University of Louisville in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership and Service. I am enthralled with both positions and excited to leave my mark on the campus by facilitating campus assessment and programming in my new position.

The advent of 2008 brought a new governor to Kentucky, Steve Beshear. Gov. Beshear has articulated the Commonwealth is in a severe budget crisis, so my challenge as MWKY 2008 will be to stress the need for continuity in funding and support for the many initiatives in the works to enhance quality of life for Kentucky's disabled. I plan to travel to Frankfort several times over the next few months to speak out about the importance of independent living options, affordable, barrier free housing alternatives and higher education funding.