Ms Wheelchair America Entry Fee

Hello everyone, my name is Bryanna Tanase and I am a 23 years old and the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2022, an equine therapy participant, a USEF adult amateur, and a Grade I Paradressage Rider. was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11 months old and am I full time wheelchair user. I created this fundraiser because I need help generating funds for my entry fee for the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant. Ms. Wheelchair America was created with the mission of giving women with disabilities a sense of achievement and a chance to advocate for themselves and the entire disability community. It is NOT a beauty contest, instead it celebrates the accomplishments of women who are thriving despite their circumstances, and allows them to compete for the chance to use their skills in communication, advocacy, and presentation to be a spokeswoman for people with disabilities.

To enter, I need to raise $2000. The fee covers the expenses of the week long pageant, including a hotel room and meals for the contestant and a companion. The fee has to be submitted in full by June 15, 2022

Entering this pageant is important to me because I will have a chance to share my passion with many while advocating for others like me. My platform will be based on the physical, emotional, and social benefits of equine assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities. I have been riding at an equine assisted therapy center called Quantum Leap Farm for six years, as well as Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center for 2 years and it has changed my life. I have become more confident in myself, bolder. My dad always likes to point out that I have a little sparkle in my eye now! Riding has benefitted me physically in that my core is stronger, the muscle tone associated with my CP has been broken up, and my body feels more relaxed. I even have goals of making it on the US Para-Equestrian Team and competing at the Paralympics. Riding for therapy gives people with disabilities a chance to venture outside of a therapeutic setting if they so wish. The emotional impact of being able to connect and bond with a horse is like no other experience I've ever had, it is a beautiful friendship shared without words. I've been able to build relationships with all the staff at both farms as well as others with disabilities, and we've become like family.

It surprises me every day how few people know of equine assisted therapy as an option to help their loved ones with disabilities, and I would like to use the opportunity of being in Mrs. Wheelchair Florida to get the information out. There have been many studies, like this one (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25436916) illustrating that the movement of a horse can simulate most, if not all, the movement patterns able bodied people experience while walking. However, I think the best part of equine therapy is perhaps it's simplest aspect, the fact that it gives freedom to myself and so many others that spend the majority of their day only seeing the world from one perspective.

It would mean the world to me if you would consider supporting my aspirations to be a part of Mrs. Wheelchair America 2023. With your help, the news about equine therapy will reach hundreds of families across Florida, nationwide, and maybe even internationally. Who knows how many lives we can change together? I will be endlessly grateful for your help in making this possible, and if you cannot donate, please share this page with your friends! Every bit helps!