Sigrid and the Northwest Women Wheelers

Here is a picture of some of the women of the Northwest Women Wheelers

Please Fill out my Survey called Wheels 2 Fitness

How accessible are the gym's in your area? How many people in wheelchair's can go to a gym and work out like everyone else? How many people wish there were more wheelchair accessible equipment at local fitness centers? Well, I do!! As Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007, I am going to try to work with some local gym's in the community to encourage them to make their fitness centers more accessible to wheelchair users. To best provide the need for this, I need feedback from you. I want to be able to find out from other wheelchair users what you are looking for to help me with my mission to provide more accessible gyms for people with disabilities. So, please take a moment and fill out my survey. It is all confidential and I will not share your information with anyone. Please take a few minutes and fill out my survey called "Wheels 2 Fitness- Access for a better life through exercise" Thank you, Sigrid Laegreid Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007

3 Ms. Wheelchair Washington's Celebrate their birthdays

At the Cookie Lee party on May 5th, 3 Ms. Wheelchair Washington's came together to have a get together and also celebrate their birthdays.

This picture is of (on Left) Tammy Wilber, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2006/State Pageant Coordinator, (Middle) Elaine Stefanowicz, Ms. Washington Washington 1997, who went on to become Ms. Wheelchair America 1998, and (on Right) Sigrid Laegreid, none other than the current Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007. All three women celebrating their birthdays only a few days apart. I guess to be a Ms. Wheelchair Washington you have a good chance if you are a Taurus.

Ms. Wheelchair Washington on Komo News Channel 4 April 10th

Komo News did a great story on the pageant, only 3 days after, Sigrid won the title! Then is was aired all week. Check out the story!

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/6980432.html

Press Release, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007

Sigrid Laegreid’s life changed forever on December 26th, 1991, when she was run over by a drunk driver. She sustained a permanent spinal cord injury, which left her paralyzed from the mid-chest down for the rest of her life. Despite her paralysis, Sigrid has not let it slow her down, in fact she describes herself as adventurous, generous and goal oriented. Sigrid simply states, “In life, I always strive to do my best and not complain. I try to focus on my blessings and not worry about my limitations.”

Sigrid has worked for Nordstrom’s since 1987 and received the “All Star” award in 1998 and again in 2004. She was also honored by Antioch University with a humanitarian award for her years of service at Teen Hope, as a founding Board Member and Fundraiser.

Sigrid’s community achievements include her involvement with a National Injury Prevention program called Think First. She has given presentations to students of all ages about the importance of making “good choices, so they don’t get hurt,” with an emphasis on the importance of reducing underage drinking.

As Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007, Sigrid will focus on promoting healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities through education within the community. She titles her platform, “Wheels 2 Fitness-Access for better health through exercise.” She also hopes to increase awareness to exercise facilities throughout Washington State to provide equal access to wheelchair users.

Sigrid will travel to Maryland in July to compete in the National Ms. Wheelchair America Program.

Contact Information for speaking engagements:
Sigrid Laegreid, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007
15530 Bothell Way NE #C7, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
PH: (H) 206-361-6304

(W) 206-303-6704

Email: Sigrid.Laegreid@nordstrom.com

Or Contact Tammy Wilber, State Pageant Coordinator\Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2006

PH: 206-714-1253
Email: Tammywheels@yahoo.com or Tammy.Wilber@Varilite.com

The Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007 Pageant was sponsored by NEXTSTEPS NW and VARILITE®

Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2007, Crowned April 7th

Greetings, as the previous Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2006 (Tammy Wilber), I became the State Coordinator for the Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant. After, an incredible year, I held a pageant on April 7th. Putting together a pageant was fun, but stressful. First, you have to find contestants, then a location, and sponsors. In the end it all worked out!

I had two wonderful contestant's! Four wonderful judges, and location, and sponsors!

The Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant was held at Nextsteps NW, in Redmond, WA. http://www.nextstepsnw.org/. This was a wonderful facility to hold the pageant because it is a non-profit organization, that specializes in intensive exercise recovery therapy and wellness for people with paralysis from spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders such as MS & Strokes. Their mission is to maximize health, wellness, and quality of life for individuals with paralysis through specialized exercise recovery therapy and wellness programs. Here people with paralysis see that they are not alone. Thank you Nextsteps NW!!

Just over a month ago I started a new job as the Marketing Manager for a company called VARILITE. http://www.varilite.com/ They sponsored the pageant because At VARILITE, the goal is to help people who use wheelchairs for mobility lead empowered, independent and connected lives. The company strives to design effective, innovative postural support solutions. VARILITE systems are manufactured by the medical division of Cascade Designs, Inc. in Seattle, Washington and distributed globally. Our comprehensive family of seating and positioning systems includes cushions, back supports, hip belts, chest harnesses, ankle supports, and seating accessories. In addition to VARILITE products, Cascade Designs, Inc. manufactures products for outdoor recreation, travel, and military markets. For information about Cascade Designs, visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

On April 7th, 2007, it was my honor to pass on the duties of Ms. Wheelchair Washington to Sigrid Laegreid of Lake Forest Park, WA. Congradulations, you will represent Washington State proudly!!