Paris, Texas teacher competes in Miss Wheelchair USA wfaa.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wfaa.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Kenda Felker maneuvers a scooter around her classroom at Stone Middle School as she teaches North Lamar ISD students not only career skills but also how to be successful no matter what challenges life might have in store.
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy 30 years ago when she was a teenager, the Lamar County native considers herself âhandicapable,â not handicapped, and not âdisabledâ but with modified abilities.
âWhere thereâs a âwheel,â there is a way,â Felker said.
Recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair Southwest USA, Felker will take a message of determination and community activism as her platform to the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where she will participate July 11-17 in a week of pageant activities for the national crown. Competition includes interviews, evening wear, a platform speech presentation, on-stage questions and platform marketing statement competition.
Felker won the Ms. Wheelchair Southwestern USA title last month. Her platform is Handicapable: Where There s a Wheel, There s a Way. A lot of times here in this chair, you don t feel beautiful, Felker said. But when you ve got a crown, honey, you feel beautiful!
Felker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 15 years old. Twelve years ago, MS took her ability to walk. She s in a wheelchair, but that hasn t stopped Felker from coaching her daughters sports teams, or teaching middle school students. I just want to do what everybody else does, Felker said. I know I can do it. Maybe not the same way you can, but I know I can do it.