Ms. Wheelchair Illinois focuses on advocacy

The Ms. Wheelchair America pageant is not like traditional beauty competitions - it's all about advocacy and achievements.

The competition was held last month. Although she didn't win, Ms. Wheelchair Illinois says it was an amazing experience.

In March, 27-year-old Pearl Gannon was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Illinois.

"My platform is about mental health," Gannon said. "When you have a disability that deteriorates, you get tired, and just finding that strength to go on."

Gannon has a rare neuro-muscular disability called Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

"Basically our nerves die off, that's what happens, and then that's what causes the muscles to die away," she said.

She has been using a wheelchair for seven years. She is active in different sports and attends community college. At a friend's suggestion, she entered Ms. Wheelchair Illinois.

"Basically you have to be between ages of 21 and 60 to be eligible, you need to be in a wheelchair full-time to be eligible, and you also need to be a U.S. citizen," Gannon said.

"During the process of the competition, you have to have a two-minute, memorized speech and give that memorized speech to the judges, which is quite nerve-racking because later you have to give it to the audience," Gannon said.

As Ms. Wheelchair Illinois, Gannon travels around the state to different events. Everything is paid for by fundraising.

"We want to go out there and show that despite having disability, we are equal to everyone else out there and that is truly important," Gannon said.

Even though only four girls competed in Ms. Wheelchair Illinois 2014, Gannon hopes more will consider it.

"It is a week that I would never take away, I learned so much in that week not only about myself but about the world and the world of disabilities," Gannon said.

For more information about Ms. Wheelchair Illinois, visit www.mswheelchairIllinois.org.