“Hello, everyone! Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2024 – Gabby Kozinski here, and I gratefully earned my title on March 3…
Since then, I’ve been super busy trying to reach out to multiple news outlets and radio stations to try to talk about my experience and platform, “Knowledge is Power,” which emphasizes the importance of teaching people, especially children, how to interact with individuals with disabilities. Some places I reached out to did respond, like my first news article (Crawford County Now published an article on March 7).
I was fortunate enough to get to have a meeting with my local mayor on March 14 about more accessibility within my town of Bucyrus in regards to more recreational activities for children with disabilities, ramps for businesses, better sidewalks, more accessible bathrooms, and a comfortable lift for the public pool.
Next, on March 15, I spoke at Bucyrus Elementary about the importance of inclusion and how to engage with others who may appear different from them, and how everyone should be treated like anyone else. The experience went really well.
Third, I was asked to be a part of a couple podcasts that will take place in the coming months.
Fourth, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at Sacred Heart in Shelby about the program, my platform, and my testimony about my life.
Finally, this past Friday I spoke at my unified basketball game a little bit about my platform, introduced Amy Ward, who sang the national anthem, and I was honored with half of the proceeds from the throw for dough that will go towards my national competition.
If anyone wants to help me get to nationals in August, I have a link where you can purchase items that have my name, title, platform name and the cerebral palsy ribbon on them. Here is the link to my fundraiser. There will also be a raffle for different prizes on Mother’s Day weekend. Please consider helping, even if it’s a simple donation.
Thank you and stay tuned for next month’s entry,