Local Resident Vies for “Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.” Title

Kenda Felker has not always used a wheelchair, but when she lost the use of her legs to multiple sclerosis (MS) 12 years ago, she didn’t view her situation as a fight she had lost. Instead, she learned to live with using a wheelchair and has recently been awarded the title, “Ms. Wheelchair, Southwestern U.S.” In July, she’ll travel to Ohio where she will compete against 19 other contestants to become “Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.” “I was first diagnosed with MS at the age of 15,” she said. While she eventually learned how MS progressed, she never felt sorry for herself. And she doesn’t want anyone else feeling sorry for her, either. “I am ‘handicapable,” she said. “Where there’s will, there’s a way.” That platform is the one she is taking to Ohio for the pageant being held July 10-15. A lifelong resident of Howland, Felker seems to embrace rather than curse her battle with MS. That’s obvious when one considers how she first learned that a “Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.” existed. My husband (James), and I were camping in Colorado,” she said. “We were at a campground with sites designed specifically for people with disabilities. The campground host was a lady we became friends with, and she told me about the pageant. She thought I should go for it.” It took a few years, but when Kenda applied to be a contestant, she quickly earned her current title under which she represents Texas and other southwestern states. Kenda’s attitude is clear; after all, she was in the great outdoors when she learned of the competition. “I am not handicapped,” she said. “I have modified ability.” Kenda’s platform is one members of the population with disabilities have been fighting for decades, even after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) broke down many barriers in 1990. People should not identify with their disability. “It does not define your life,” she says. Words like “handicapped” carry a stigma. While the word isn’t as common as it once was in society, the phrase “person with a disability” has largely replaced the old terminology. “Handicapable” is a word with the same impact. Rather than focusing on what she cannot do, Kenda Felker prefers to make the most of what she can do. And there’s plenty she does. Aside from not be afraid of traveling to states with the terrain of Colorado, Felker has been a teacher at North Lamar Jr. High School for 15 years where she teaches 8th grade career investigation. Can climbing Pike’s Peak be any more difficult than corralling a classroom of 13-year-olds? Still, do not doubt that Kenda is aware of the challenges people with disabilities still face. “Paris recently renovated the plaza, and it’s beautiful,” she said. But the engineers did not take the most basic of needs for people with disabilities into account. “There are 261 parking spaces in the plaza area,” she said. “Only one meets was designed to meet ADA standards.” According to ADA requirements, a minimum of 7 spaces in the area should be designed as accessible. Not only is the plaza falling far short of what is required for parking, the one space is normally occupied by a portable toilet, Kenda said. The “Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A.” competition is sponsored by the Dane Foundation, an organization with the stated purpose of “Celebrating the achievements of women with disabilities.” According to the website www.mswheelchairusa. org, “The pageant world boasts more than 5,000 competitions, but only two for women with mobility impairments. With the traditional spirit of pageantry in mind, Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A. recognizes that all women, regardless of disability, can be glamorous, and can exhibit self-confidence in personal, professional, and public life.” The pageant winner will promote her own platform as well as the Dane Foundation and the competition’s objectives. Last weekend, a fundraiser was held to help raise money for Kenda’s trip to compete in the Ohio pageant. And funds are still needed. If you wish to help Kenda with expenses, which include the purchase of an evening gown needed for the competition, it’s not too late. You can contribute to the contestant of your choice by visiting the competition’s website. Opportunities for communities like Roxton and Howland to be on the national stage are few. But when Kenda Felker steps on the Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A. pageant stage in July, she’ll be representing the entire southwestern U.S. region — and she’ll help place Roxton and Howland in the public eye. Let’s help Kenda bring the Ms. Wheelchair U.S.A. crown home to Lamar County, and let’s help her spread word of her “handicapable” platform throughout the United States.