Pageant winner advocates for her peers

Bennett J. Loudon • Staff writer • June 8, 2010
Democrat & Chronicle

Michelle Fridley’s active early life prepared her for her new role as Ms. Wheelchair New York 2010.

Fridley, 33, of Canandaigua, who was crowned on April 17, has been confined to a wheelchair since she was injured in a motor vehicle accident in Wayne County in July 2000.

In high school, she played volleyball, bowled and played softball. As a young adult working as a sales manager, she traveled the country and learned to surf.

Fridley participated in beauty pageants as a pre-teen. From the ages of 3 to 18, she was a competitive baton twirler and learned about fundraising to pay for trips to contests.

As an advocate for the disabled, Fridley has called upon her salesmanship, fundraising abilities, positive attitude and outgoing personality.

“My life as a child has really prepared me as a person living as a quadriplegic,” Fridley said.

“This is what I’m supposed to do. This is what God meant for me to do. I’m very honored and proud to have this job,” she said.

Fridley, who was nine months pregnant when she was injured in the crash, gave birth to her healthy daughter, Felicia, nine days after the accident.

She lives with her daughter in the town of Canandaigua where she had to have her apartment modified because of her disabilities, such as widening the bathroom doorway. She needs an around-the-clock aide. During the night, Fridley wakes up about once an hour and the aide has to turn her.

Fridley is now eligible to compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant in Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 9 through 15, but she must find sponsors to cover the $2,500 cost of the trip.

In November, when state officials proposed cuts that would force her to move into a nursing home, she traveled to Albany to lobby against the plan.

She and other advocates met with state legislators.

“I never had so much fun. I felt so good. I felt like I had found my purpose. I knew I became quadriplegic for a reason,” Fridley said.

The proposal was rejected, but the government put a 12-hour daily limit on home care.

In February and March, she and a few other advocates met with Gov. David Paterson and legislators to argue against the limit that was ultimately rejected.

“That was the first time I knew I made a difference,” she said.

About two weeks later, Chris Hilderbrant, chief operating officer of the Center for Disability Rights Inc., suggested that she enter the Ms. Wheelchair New York Pageant.

“Michelle’s passion for living and improving the quality of life for others with disabilities has been impressive and inspiring,” Hilderbrant said.

“Although I’ve only known her for a short time, it is clear that this title is well-deserved and is only the beginning of the impact she will make.”

BLOUDON@DemocratandChronicle.com