Ms. Wheelchair Hawaii contestants sought

Susannah Rice-Kamanu, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Hawaii, suffered her spinal cord injury in an incident of domestic violence. After months of recuperation at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, she became a certified substance abuse counselor, an accomplished athlete and an honor student seeking a degree in social work and counseling.

On Feb. 11, she will pass her crown to the 2012 Ms. Wheelchair Hawaii at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.

Contestants between the ages of 21 and 60 are being sought. The pageant focuses on the achievements and accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs daily.

Contestants must be a U.S. resident and able to communicate her accomplishments to the public, business community and legislature and participate in the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant Aug. 1 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

To nominate an individual, apply as a contestant or for more information, email hawaii@mswheelchairamerica.org. The deadline to enter is Wednesday. For more information on the national pageant, visit www.mswheelchairamerica.org.