Contestant not disabled enough to win

Rivercard · April 1st, 2005, 09:44 AM

Ms. Wheelchair stripped of title for standing up

Friday, April 1, 2005 Posted: 8:51 AM EST (1351 GMT)

APPLETON, Wisconsin (AP) -- Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin has been stripped of her title because pageant officials say she can stand -- and point to a newspaper picture as proof.

Janeal Lee, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a scooter, was snapped by The Post-Crescent newspaper standing among her high school math students.

"I've been made to feel as if I can't represent the disabled citizens of Wisconsin because I'm not disabled enough," Lee said Thursday.

Lee, 30, of Appleton, had planned to go to the national pageant with her younger sister, who also has muscular dystrophy and won the competition in Minnesota.

Students at Kaukauna High School, where Lee teaches, raised $1,000 for her trip to the national pageant.

The move by the state pageant officials, led by coordinator Gina Hackel, is supported by the national board.

Candidates for the crown have to "mostly be seen in the public using their wheelchairs or scooters," said Judy Hoit, Ms. Wheelchair America's treasurer.

"Otherwise you've got women who are in their wheelchairs all the time and they get offended if they see someone standing up. We can't have title holders out there walking when they're seen in the public."

Hackel said Lee should have been aware of the rules.

The crown now goes to first runner-up Michelle Kearney of Milwaukee, who will travel to New York in July for the national pageant.

Dback Jon · April 1st, 2005, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivercard

Ms. Wheelchair stripped of title for standing up

Friday, April 1, 2005 Posted: 8:51 AM EST (1351 GMT)

APPLETON, Wisconsin (AP) -- Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin has been stripped of her title because pageant officials say she can stand -- and point to a newspaper picture as proof.

Janeal Lee, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a scooter, was snapped by The Post-Crescent newspaper standing among her high school math students.

"I've been made to feel as if I can't represent the disabled citizens of Wisconsin because I'm not disabled enough," Lee said Thursday.

Lee, 30, of Appleton, had planned to go to the national pageant with her younger sister, who also has muscular dystrophy and won the competition in Minnesota.

Students at Kaukauna High School, where Lee teaches, raised $1,000 for her trip to the national pageant.

The move by the state pageant officials, led by coordinator Gina Hackel, is supported by the national board.

Candidates for the crown have to "mostly be seen in the public using their wheelchairs or scooters," said Judy Hoit, Ms. Wheelchair America's treasurer.

"Otherwise you've got women who are in their wheelchairs all the time and they get offended if they see someone standing up. We can't have title holders out there walking when they're seen in the public."

Hackel said Lee should have been aware of the rules.

The crown now goes to first runner-up Michelle Kearney of Milwaukee, who will travel to New York in July for the national pageant.

Well, it is Ms.Wheelchair........

Rivercard · April 1st, 2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dback Jon

Well, it is Ms.Wheelchair........

I suppose it gives her an unfair advantage in the swimsuit competition.

Pariah · April 1st, 2005, 10:11 AM

I guess you really have to be on a roll to win that competition.

Dback Jon · April 1st, 2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pariah

I guess you really have to be on a roll to win that competition.

That is bad.....but I am laughing.....

LVCARDFREAK · April 1st, 2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pariah

I guess you really have to be on a roll to win that competition.

Hey! Lets not go reinvent the "wheel" here!

Pariah · April 1st, 2005, 10:15 AM

"reinvent the wheel?"
You don't have a leg to stand on.

Pariah · April 1st, 2005, 10:16 AM

I wonder if the runner-up had to stand up for her claim to the title?

Rivercard · April 1st, 2005, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pariah

I wonder if the runner-up had to stand up for her claim to the title?

They call 2nd place the "roller up" instead of "runner up".

Dback Jon · April 1st, 2005, 10:17 AM

If the original winner had been a real stand-up lady, she would have reliquished the title gracefully.

Rivercard · April 1st, 2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dback Jon

If the original winner had been a real stand-up lady, she would have reliquished the title gracefully.

Can she appeal the decision to the commitee (wheel)chairman?

Dback Jon · April 1st, 2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivercard

Can she appeal the decision to the commitee (wheel)chairman?

Probably - she should sit down with the committee and discuss it.

Jersey Girl · April 1st, 2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dback Jon

Probably - she should sit down with the committee and discuss it.

Or have a sit in.

You know, we are all going to H E double hockey sticks.

Dback Jon · April 1st, 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Girl Cards Fan

Or have a sit in.

You know, we are all going to H E double hockey sticks.

Yup

LVCARDFREAK · April 1st, 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pariah

I wonder if the runner-up had to stand up for her claim to the title?

No but the judges were "leaning" her way!