March 16, 2013, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bliss Welch of Harrison was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2013 on March 16th, 2013 at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Chattanooga. Bliss is a graduate student working on her Master’s degree in Accounting at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She is involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, assists as an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistant, and has also been a guest speaker at the International Dysferlin Conferences. Bliss enjoys spending time with her family and deer hunting. Bliss has Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2B and her goal as Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee is to shift the focus from what people with disabilities cannot do to what we CAN do and to raise awareness of the Abilities of those with disabilities. Bliss will go on to compete in the national competition in Houston, TX July 15th – 21st, 2013.

Ashley Grimes of Cleveland was first runner up, Christina Earheart of Springfield was second runner up, and Jessica Goodman of Knoxville was third runner up.

Hanna Latimer of Camden was crowned Little Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2013. Hanna is an 11-year old Merit Roll Scholar in the fifth grade at Briarwood School. She participates in Cheerleading, 4-H, and enjoys singing, camping, riding 4-wheelers, swimming, and being outdoors. She also helps raise funds for Vanderbilt Heart research and also to help families at Christmas. She has 2 younger sisters, a younger brother, and an older stepbrother and loves being with her family and friends. Hanna has Cerebral Palsy and her goal as Little Miss Tennessee is to educate children on disabilities so that they can learn that someone who uses a wheelchair is really not any different from anyone else.

The Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee Organization would like to thank Superior Van and Mobility, McGrath Solutions, Permobil, UT Chattanooga, Little Lace Lady, and Elite Behavior Analysis for their sponsorship of the program. Also, thank you to all of the volunteers and guests who made this event possible.

See our website to learn more about our organization: www.mswheelchairtn.org. To have any of these lovely ladies speak or attend your event, please call Samantha at 865-441-6888. We are currently looking for advisory board members.

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2013 Bliss Welch

Little Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2013 Hanna Latimer

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About Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee:
While contestants are showcased in a pageant format, Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee is not a beauty contest. It is a competition, started in 1996, to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for persons with disabilities across the State of Tennessee.
Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee is charged with a continuing effort to educate the public regarding the dignity, productiveness and basic values of people with disabilities. She must be able to communicate both the needs and abilities of her constituency to the general public, the business community and government. Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee will have the opportunity to travel and make public appearances. She will ultimately represent Tennessee at the Ms. Wheelchair America Program.

Contact Information:
State Coordinator: Samantha Moreno
Phone: 865-441-6888
Email: sam@mswheelchairtn.org

March 13, 2013, Knoxville, Tennessee

This Saturday March 16th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM the Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee Organization will be crowning the next Little Miss Wheelchair Tennessee and Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee at the Doubletree Hotel in Chattanooga. Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee will go on to represent Tennessee at the national Ms. Wheelchair America Competition in Houston, TX July 15th-21st. The crowning is free and open for the public to attend. Please visit www.mswheelchairtn.org for more details and to learn about the contestants.
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January 8, 2013, Knoxville, Tennessee

The Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee organization is looking for women ages 21-60 to run for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee. We are also looking for a Little Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee (ages 6 through 12) and a Junior Miss Wheelchair Tennessee (ages 13 through 20). The application deadline to run for Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee is February 1, 2013. Please visit our website at www.mswheelchairtn.org to apply.
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