Melissa-Kaye D. Ortiz: Ms. Wheelchair New York
Queens residents Named Ms. Wheelchair New York.
(Albany)
|
| Melissa-Kaye D. Ortiz of Queens was recently selected Ms. Wheelchair New York, a
program of Ms. Wheelchair America that provides an opportunity for women of achievement who
utilize wheelchairs to advocate for individuals with disabilities. Melissa will devote 2005 to
public speaking, education and working on behalf of those with disabilities. She will also
compete for title of Ms. Wheelchair America at the national pageant being held in Albany, New
York the week of July 15, 2005. Melissa’s disability, a congenital neurological malformation, has not
inhibited her efforts to raise disability awareness issues at the local,
state and national levels. She has also worked as a high school teacher
and as a political consultant. |
Melissa-Kaye D. Ortiz
|
|
“Our grassroots efforts continue to grow in New York, and Melissa’s enthusiasm and
dedication will be an asset to the program,” said Denise DiNoto, New York State coordinator and a
former Ms. Wheelchair New York.
Unlike the Miss America Pageant, the Ms. Wheelchair America Program is not a beauty contest. It is instead a program to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for the
millions of disabled Americans.
|
|
Larger image
Photo description:
Melissa-Kaye D. Ortiz
and husband Tony |
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in the Nashville, Tennessee area, Melissa has lived in
Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Jerusalem, Israel. She attended Georgetown College, Belmont
University, Union University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has degrees in
education, criminal justice and broadcasting. She resides in Queens with her husband, Tony Ortiz
and her service dog, Lucy. |
|
Larger
image
Photo description:
Tony and Melissa at their wedding. |
Larger image
Photo description:
Tony and Melissa at their wedding. |
Larger image
Photo description: Lucy and
Melissa cruising the neighborhood.
and deciding where to go next
|
|
Larger image
Photo description: Melissa and her service dog,
Lucy (little Dachshund), visiting with Governor Pataki on Tuesday, March
8th. 2005
|
Larger image
Photo description: Melissa-Kaye D. Ortiz and Lucy
with Governor Pataki, the state coordinator Denise DiNoto and MWNY02,
Cindy Hill. |
|
Larger image
Photo description: Melissa and her service dog, Lucy
(little Dachshund). Melissa was invited to march in New York City's St.
Patrick's Day Parade with Gov. Pataki and the state police guard. This was on
Melissa's birthday
|
History of Ms. Wheelchair America
In 1972 a Columbus, Ohio physician, Dr.
Philip K Wood, who devoted his career to the treatment and
rehabilitation of functionally impaired individuals was aware of the
talent, capabilities, determination and courage of the disabled. This
physician established Ms. Wheelchair America as a forum for the
promotion of the achievements as well as the needs of mobility impaired
persons. The non-profit program is staffed and coordinated by volunteers
throughout the country dedicated to increasing public awareness so that
all its citizens will be able to lead productive and meaningful lives. |
|
Larger image
Melissa Ortiz, Juliette Rizzo, as well as the former Ms. Wheelchair
New York, the runners up from this year's pageant |
| |
|
