What an exciting week it has been! First, my husband and I spent a few days at Foxwoods Resort Casino for a little rest and relaxation, and of course, poker! I brought my sash and crown because you never know when an opportunity will arise to promote awareness, opportunity, and the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation. I spoke to my favorite poker room floor personnel Jimmy, Mike and Edmond about taking some photos with me. Well things just exploded from there! They contacted Terri, the director of poker, and she was so excited she contacted their photographer and we did a photo shoot! There was a poker tournament beginning and you can imagine the looks we all got from the players. I kept my sash and crown on for the rest of the evening while playing poker. Foxwoods is a very accommodating resort. It is a great place to go for dining, shopping, clubbing, listening to your favorite music played by great bands, and of course, trying your luck in the casino or playing a few hands of poker. The poker staff knows me well and allows me to have my personal assistant show me my cards and put in my chips. It is a great way to increase awareness and acceptance in this form of recreation. Every time we go there we are greeted with open arms.

Secondly, last night I had the privilege of doing a songwriting workshop with the young adults at a Partners for Youth with Disabilities meeting. I spoke about my life and my platform of Creative Perseverance. I asked them what creative perseverance meant to them. I had written a chord progression to accompany a melody and lyrics which were not yet written. I bought the CD I made of the chord progression on piano and drums. First, I asked them to pick a topic. They chose "Best Friends." Then I asked them to give me different sentences about best friends. They had some really great ideas. My husband wrote them on a board and then we formulated the sentences to become lyrics and fit the music. I then played the CD and sang the music with the lyrics they had written! It was really beautiful! Music plays an amazing role in all of our lives. It crosses the boundaries of race, creed, social status, and disability. Disabilities in that room last night quickly became abilities! It was amazing to hear people singing along as as we played the song several times and they learned the melody. People were connecting with each other on a whole different level. They then asked me to play one of my songs from the band and I did and sang along with it and surprisingly everyone else started singing along! There are a lot of talented people in that group and I had the time of my life. I am posting a photo here but you can see more on my fan page

www.facebook.com/mswheelchairmassachusetts2012

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

Yesterday I had the privilege of being on WBSM radio 1420 AM on the "Mid-Morning Magazine" with Phil Paleologos. we spoke about what Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts means to me and what the day of the pageant was like. Since my platform is "Creative Perseverance," we discussed the importance of finding ways to pursue your dreams and empowering others to do the same. We also discussed the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation and my future competition in the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant. It was a great time! Radio is such an effective tool to empower others to share words of encouragement!

Well, things are certainly on a roll! This coming Monday, March 26 , I will be on live radio WBSM AM 1420 Mid-Morning Magazine with Phil Paleologos. Turn your radios on at 11AM and I will be on shortly after that. Friday, March 30th at 8 PM I will be speaking and doing a music workshop in Boston at a Partners for Youth with Disabilities meeting. I recorded an audition CD of me singing our National Anthem and I am mailing it out Monday. I am hoping to sing it live at Fenway Park at their Disability Awareness Day. I have put together my press kit and am very excited to have a date with Ablevision to tape a show about me and the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation that will be aired sometime over the summer.

I am also working on finding sponsors and fundraising for my participation in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant which will be held in Providence Rhode Island August 6th-12th. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation please go to www.mswheelchairmass.org.

Remember to always pursue your dreams!!!!!!

This is my first blog entry as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2012. The excitement has not gone away and probably won't for the entire year! Today I had a photo shoot for my promotional picture. As soon as I get it I will post it here. Holding the title of Ms. wheelchair Massachusetts is an incredible experience, and it has only been a week and a half! I feel empowered to be the voice of others with disabilities and empower them. It is a win-win situation.

The day of the pageant began at 6:30 AM when I got dressed, did my hair and makeup, made three different breakfasts because I was too nervous to eat and kept changing my mind! I arrived at the Mass Hospital School at about 9:45 AM where I was greeted by past titleholders and board members of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation. That day was filled with excitement, anticipation, and meeting instant friends. when there were two contestants left I literally held my breath. Winning was quite emotional for me but I was very conscious of trying not to ruin my makeup! The other contestants were so impressive and had such great outlooks on life that I sincerely hope that they remain involved.

There were so many people to thank it would take too much space on this blog. My advice to you is to go to the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts website mswheelchairmass.org and get to know the foundation as well as the people involved.

March 30th I will be speaking at a Partners for Youth with Disabilities meeting. Since I am a musician I am going to do a workshop that night as well with the members. I will be posting pictures of my events as I do them.

Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2012

Congratulations to Patti Panzarino Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2012! Patti was crowned on March 3rd at the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton MA. Ms. Panzarino will compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 2013 this August in Providence RI. Keep checking this blog as Patti starts her adventures as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2012!