Disability Awareness Night at the Hockomock YMCA

Last night I had a chance to interact with children and families at the YMCA in North Attleboro as a guest at Disability Awareness Night.

I told the children a little bit about myself and my experiences using a wheelchair, including my role as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007. They asked lots of questions, such as how I got my wheelchair to move. I showed them my joystick control and my horn and they got to come up close and check out my chair. To help raise awareness about people who are disabled, I spoke about the similarities and differences that we all have as people, emphasizing the ways that we are all alike. I asked the children to draw a picture of an activity they enjoy doing, then I explained ways that people in wheelchairs could do the same thing. One little boy drew a picture of himself golfing, one of his favorite sports. I told him that a friend of mine who is in a wheelchair loves to golf - he has a golf cart that stands him up so he can putt just like everyone else! The children also had a chance to read and write in Braille with another guest speaker, Tim Vernon, who has been blind since birth. They had a great time learning a new "language!" This was a wonderful event for everyone - thanks to the YMCA and the families who support their programs!!!

Successful Speaking Appearance At Raytheon

Today I had the opportunity to appear at Raytheon as a guest speaker during their program honoring "National Employment Awareness for People with Disabilities Month." The program was sponsored by the Raytheon Women's Network and the Raytheon Persons with Disabilities Association. Approximately 50 people attended, including senior managers and Human Resources representatives.

I spoke about my experiences as a disabled woman and some of the barriers I have encountered in access and employment. I also explained my role as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007 and showed a DVD of the 2008 Ms Wheelchair America Competition, where I placed as 2nd runner up. The employees in attendance were very interested in my story and asked lots of follow-up questions.

Shifting the focus to employment, I told the audience about my new position with Hire Disability Solutions (HDS), as Editor of their e-magazine Solutions. HDS is in the process of opening a number of temporary emploment agencies to assist in negating employment barriers that keep disabled people out of the job market.

National unemployment rates for people with disabilities hover at approximately 65%. Many disabled people in this category are ready, willing, and able to go to work, but they have yet to find suitable, sustainable jobs. Initatives such as these (HDS temporary employment agencies specifically for the disabled, and Raytheon's corporate awareness programs) provide excellent opportunities to expand diversity.

Patriots Promo - Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts

Today I attended the New England Patriots football game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. I was greeted with the following message on the big-screen scoreboard in the third quarter: (click the photo to see it!)


Welcome Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts
Kristen McCosh

It was great to have the Patriots promote the Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts program to the 60,000+ fans in attendance! It was also exciting for me to be recognized by the team in this way.













The Patriots organization, owned and operated by the Kraft family, does a lot of good work in the New England area, including support of local charities and funding programs for kids in our communities. They are a great example of team work,hard work, and committment... Keep up the good work Mr. Kraft!

Go Pats!!!

SCI Awareness Day At The State House

Today I attended the 4th Annual Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day at the State House. SCI Awareness Day is a collaboration of Massachusetts rehabilitation facilities, consumer organizations, legislators, policy makers and advocates, working towards a common goal to increase funding available for spinal cord injury research in Massachusetts.

This year's program included Massachusetts State Representatives and representatives from the Office of Governor Deval Patrick, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, the New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center at Boston Medical Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Department of Public Health, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the Paralyzed Veterans Association, the Travis Roy Foundation, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

The well-attended symposium was enlightening, invigorating, and offered lots of information relevant to people living with SCI. It was organized by Massachusetts Walks Again.

Two Advocacy Appearances In One Busy Day!

Today I participated in two wonderful events as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts (MWM):

- FIRST EVENT: The 10th Annual Kevin Ganley Walk in Lowell to raise money for Huntington's Disease

















I am pictured above with Sue (L) and Virginia (R), from the Huntington's Disease Society of America, New England Chapter; next I'm addressing the big crowd who showed up despite the pouring rain; and then I spoke with some local supporters who are wheelchair-users living with HD. Below I'm kicking off the walk with Shrek!





AND THEN...


- SECOND EVENT: The 8th Annual South Boston Street Festival to raise money & awareness for MWM







Both events were a huge success and a lot of fun!!!!

Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 - The Official Results Are In!

Second Runner Up, Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts, Kristen McCosh

I am just back from DC, and I'm happy to tell you that we have a new Ms Wheelchair America 2008 - Alana Wallace from Chicago, Illinois won the title! Heather Grossman, Ms Wheelchair Arizona, came in First Runner Up, and I came in Second Runner Up!!! Third Runner Up was Jackie Bartles, Ms Texas; and Fourth Runner Up was Jennifer Biggers, Ms Arkansas.

I had a wonderful time meeting all of the contestants from accross the country. I made a lot of new friends! It was also great to become part of the MWA Organization - their staff, volunteers, and judges were all wonderful.

Congratulations to all of the contestants!



Pictured above are the top 5 contestants: First Runner Up Heather Grossman from Arizona; Fourth Runner Up Jennifer Biggers from Arkansas; 2008 Ms Wheelchair America Alana Wallace from Illinois; Second Runner Up - KMC; Third Runner Up Jackie Bartels from Texas.

More pictures coming soon...

An Awesome Adaptive Recreation Fair!

I'm pictured above with my new friend Lindsey


Today I attended Spaulding Rehab Hospital's annual Adaptive Recreation Fair in my role as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts. There were approximately 15 vendors present, bringing information to inpatients and outpaients about everything from adaptive canoeing to handcycling to skiing. I spoke about my role as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts as well as exercise and fitness for people in wheelchairs. It was an exciting and informative day for everyone!

Disability Awareness Night with the Red Sox

Last night, I volunteered at a fund-raising event for Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled held at Jake Ivory's in Kenmore Square. The event was very well-attended and succeeded in raising a lot of money for this valuable program to support people with severe mobility impairments. Afterwards, the crowd headed over to Fenway Park for Disability Awareness Night.

I had the honor of participating in the Red Sox pre-game ceremony on the field at Fenway. The ceremony was held to recognize individuals who have had a positive impact on the disability community, and I was chosen as one of the honorees. I was introduced to the crowd, and my name, picture and bio appeared on the jumbo-tron.











It was such a thrill to be on the hallowed Fenway soil and see the crowd cheering me on. It was a wonderful recognition that the work we do as disability advocates does not go unnoticed. It was a night I'll never forget!

Health & Fitness Expo

Today I appeared as a celebrity guest at the WHDH / Partners Healthcare Health & Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center. I was interviewed on-stage by Anne Allred, a 7News Reporter, who asked me about my volunteer work as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts. I spoke about my advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities, at the State House and in Congress. I also spoke about the importance of physical fitness for people in wheelchairs. I handed out info on fitness routines and on the South Shore YMCA Partnership Program for people with disabilities.

There was a great crowd at the expo, and they all listened eagerly to my information. Another topic they were interested in was hearing about was my fiction. I'm currently writing a series of novels about strong women in wheelchairs, so I talked about the first manuscript I completed.

My neice Aideen accompanied me onstage to help with the microphone - she did a fantastic job! My good friend Lisa came to help, too.



The highlight of my day was that I got to meet Teddy Bruschi in the VIP Room after his presentation on his recovery from a stroke last year. My husband & I are huge Patriots fans, and it was an honor to personally meet their team captain who signed a football for us!

American Cancer Society Relay For Life

Last night I was welcomed by the Falmouth ACS Relay Team as a special guest speaker. I spoke to a crowd of several hundred volunteers about my admiration of their volunteer work, and the camaraderie of people who are sick and those who are disabled. It was an uplifting event, led by cancer survivors, and it raised significant money to help fund research and treatment of people living with cancer. Way to go Team ACS Falmouth!

NEMED Conference

New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED)

Today I had the chance to participate in NEMED's annual conference in Hyannis. I got to hear Travis Roy give an inspirational speech about his spinal cord injury and his life as a person with a disability. His courage is awe-inspiring, and he is a remarkable young man.


I was given the chance to introduce myself to NEMED's members and say a few words about my role as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts. I spoke to a crowded conference room full of NEMED Members about my experience as a disabled woman, and my passion for advocacy on behalf of other people with disabilities.

The conference ended with a silent auction whose proceeds will go to benefit the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Program.

Thank you NEMED for all your support!!!

Special Olympics Outreach

Today I spent the afternoon at Olympic Town in Harvard Stadium meeting & greeting the special athletes and their families. I met a whole lot of new friends, and even ran into some old friends too!



I'm pictured with some of the special athletes, as well as two special friends: Lisa from the Ollie; and Billy from the YMCA.

Notes from the Hill...

Yesterday I had the priviledge of listening to a speech by Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pennsylvania) where he expressed support for homecare legislation. I had the amazing opportunity to meet with him after he spoke to thank him personally for his support.

I also met with Senator Tom Allen (D-Maine), and representatives from the offices of Massachusetts' Congressmen Lynch, Delahunt, Frank, Neal, and Senator Kennedy. I used my time with them to tell my personal experience as a disabled person who relies on home medical equipment in order to stay active and healthy.

It was incredible to be able to participate in the legislative process, and it is an event that I will never forget.

AA Homecare Conference, Washington DC

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to over 300 representatives from across the country about the importance of maintaining patient control of homecare providers.

I spoke about my personal experence being a wheelchair-user, and the increasing difficulty I have acquiring durable and disposable medical equipment (DME). When I was first injured over 20 years ago, it only took one simple phone call to one company to get the supplies and equipment I needed. Today, the system is complex and frustrating, often requiring consumers to patronize multiple vendors for their DME needs.

The crowd was very interested in hearing my story, which I plan to re-tell to members of Congress tomorrow. Wish me luck on Capitol Hill!

A Great Day for a Great Cause - Easter Seals Walk

This morning I joined over a thousand other walkers to help raise money and awareness for people with disabilities in the Easter Seals Walk With Me event. The rain held off just long enough for the crowd to finish the 3 mile loop around Artesani Park in Brighton. Afterwards, we were able to mingle with many of the ambassadors from the Easter Seals program, enjoy some great music and have a great time!











I'm pictured above with Marie Kamiski from Easter Seals, Steve Grogan formerly of the New England Patriots, Rayleen(L) and Sarah(R), Easter Seals ambassadors.