Meet Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2011

Sharina Jones, 31, of Troy, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2011 on Saturday, March 5, at the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Pageant held at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

“I can’t believe it. When they called my name on stage, my husband said I had this confused look on my face,” says Jones.

Jones was shot and paralyzed when she was only 5-years-old by a 7-year-old boy playing with a gun. However, life in a wheelchair has not confined her. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oakland University and a master’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University. She enjoys hand-cycling, mono-skiing, playing wheelchair basketball and writing. Jones is currently writing an autobiography relating to her many experiences being in a wheelchair. 

As the new Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Jones will travel across the state, visit advocacy groups and make public appearances to create awareness, acceptance and understanding of disabilities to the general public.

Her platform is to help newly injured individuals get comfortable enough to get socially involved and help them towards living a fulfilling life. She especially wants to focus on helping injured military veterans.

“I believe becoming socially involved gives a person confidence, independence and self respect,” says Jones. 

Jones’ pageant sponsor is the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM), where she receives physical therapy three times a week as part of RIM’s Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Program.

Jones will compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 2012, August 1-7, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Amway Grand Hotel.

The pageant is not a beauty contest; instead the abilities, endeavors and achievements of women who use wheelchairs are recognized and honored in this annual pageant.

If you are interested in more information about the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, Inc. organization please visit www.mswheelchairmichigan.org