| Once, society viewed disabled people as dependent, | | | | Her spinal cord injury, which occurred 17 years ago, |
| unable to contribute to society. This has changed | | | | has not prevented her from driving, graduating college |
| significantly. Today, disabled persons, particularly | | | | with a Master's Degree in Psychology, or working for |
| women in wheelchairs, have begun to destroy this | | | | the Mobility Project, which has delivered over 1000 |
| stigmatized perception with amazing accomplishments. | | | | wheelchairs to disabled people in developing countries. |
| Furthermore, manufacturers have developed designer | | | | In comparison, Melissa Holley was working her way |
| chairs to accent the incredible beauty and strength of | | | | through college when an auto accident resulted in her |
| these women. | | | | spinal cord injury. She has spoken, attended fundraising |
| Last year, New York designers held a fashion show | | | | events, and campaigned to bring an experimental spinal |
| specifically directed to display these chairs. The show | | | | cord treatment procedure to the United States. She |
| was hosted by four women who founded Discovery | | | | has not allowed her wheelchair to disable her life. |
| For Design, a non-profit organization dedicated to | | | | Michele Boardman is a young woman diagnosed with |
| improving the lives of women who rely on wheelchairs. | | | | muscular dystrophy. She was confined to a wheelchair |
| One of these women, Marilyn Hamilton, is the | | | | by age 12. Despite this, she fulfilled her dream of |
| co-inventor of the Quickie wheelchair. The other three | | | | attending college and plans to become a pediatric |
| were sports, arts, and business dynamos who | | | | genetic counselor. She was one of nine youths |
| experienced traumatic injuries and landed in | | | | throughout the world honored by the Yes I Can! |
| wheelchairs. | | | | Foundation in 2004. |
| This fashion show was dedicated not only to stylish | | | | The fourth model, Rosemary Rosetti, is a successful |
| wheelchairs, but also to fashionably designed clothing | | | | woman whose life was detoured by the falling of a |
| ensembles specifically created to flatter women who | | | | huge tree that crushed her spinal cord during a bicycle |
| spend a significant amount of time in wheelchairs. The | | | | ride. After her recovery, she began to travel the world |
| "Roll" Models were four women selected from across | | | | discussing her journey in living life actively in a |
| the country who had become disabled and | | | | wheelchair. She has published a book on this topic, and |
| demonstrated inspirational strength and perseverance | | | | was recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair America. |
| despite their health problems or accidents. | | | | These women are a tribute to the amazing strength |
| One of these fascinating women, Jenny Smith, | | | | and beautiful journey of which women in wheelchairs |
| experienced an accident while practicing gymnastics. | | | | are capable. Their story is truly an inspiration to us all. |