It's not your typical pageant. No evening gown competition, no swimsuit challenge, these contestants strut their stuff on wheels, not heels. This pageant is Ms. Wheelchair Washington, where beauty lies in the heart and soul of each contestant.

"It's a way for these women to have an advocacy role in the United States and to be a role model - we like to spell it r-o-l-l," says Tammy Wilber with a laugh. She is the Washington Pageant coordinator and winner of Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2006. "Your life doesn't stop because you wheel around - you just use wheels instead of legs."

The Ms. Wheelchair Pageant started at the national level in 1972 by Dr. Philip K. Wood, who wanted to promote the achievements and needs of people with mobility restrictions. The pageant made its debut in Washington state 10 years ago and has successfully crowned its most recent winner, Meg Paulsen of Seattle. Unlike other pageants, the goal of Ms. Wheelchair Washington is strictly based on education and advocacy.

Wilber believes there is no such thing as a disabled person and the "dis" in disabled should cease to exist because to her, everyone is able.

"I have never met a disabled person," Wilber said. "Everyone has limitations, whether it be vision or organization. I have limitations but I have my brain and my arms - I can do a lot. Because someone gets around differently doesn't mean they're not human. We're handicapable."

Wilber is paraplegic. She can't feel anything from the chest down. At age 17 she was driving four teammates to soccer camp when a bee flew into the car. The girls panicked and as a result, the car crashed into the highway barrier and flipped over. Wilber was the only survivor, suffering a T56 spinal cord injury, located in proximity to her navel. She has been paralyzed now for half her life, but hasn't lost her dreams or her happy-go-lucky personality - it's going to take more than a wheelchair to stop her.

"I have a huge passion for volunteering - I consider myself a natural advocate. The year I spent on Ms. Wheelchair Washington was the best year of my life because I was able to inspire others," Wilber said.

An inspiration indeed. Wilber received the 2007 Governor's Trophy Award, the greatest honor in Washington state, which recognizes a person with a disability who has significantly empowered and influenced others with disabilities. She created Northwest Women Wheelers, a networking and resourcing group that encourages women to build relationships with other women who share similar struggles. Wilber also works for Varilite, a company that manufactures seating systems for wheelchairs. The self-inflating technology makes wheelchairs comfortable and easy to maintain.

Wilber is not the only one advocating for the 52 million disabled people in the country. Paulsen, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2008, challenges stereotypes head on. As the vice president of Washington State Business Leadership Network, Paulsen assists businesses in using the best hiring practices with employees with disabilities. She is also on the board for Washington Vocational Services, where she opens doors of opportunity for her community and paves the way for inclusion.

"Society drives stereotypes around disabilities, and people with limitations start to believe them which prevents them from seeking employment," said Paulsen. "In our community, depression and drug use is very high and if you don't believe you're capable, you lose purpose and many people will end up digging themselves into a big black hole that becomes harder and harder to get out of. There are so many opportunities, but a lot of people don't get the resources."

Currently there are 620,000 working-age adults with disabilities in Washington State. At least 308,140 of them want to work, but are among the most overlooked segments of the workforce. Paulsen's goal is to defeat the severe unemployment rates.

"Meg deserved to win Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2008 because she has been very active in the community for many years," said Karen Walters, co-worker and president of Leadership Network. "Meg is a true advocate by being a positive role model in her daily life and by the work that she does with Leadership Network. Her focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities has been very prominent in her actions."

Paulsen was born with an incompletely formed spinal cord, also called Spina Bifida. If born just five years earlier, the lack of technology would have killed her.

"My disability empowers me because I feel very lucky to be alive," Paulsen said. "I consider it a gift that has given me purpose and focus - it has deeply enriched my life."

If given the option for a surgery that could miraculously fix her spine, Paulsen would have to decline.

"The adversities and successes of my life help me build strong character and sense of self. I love my life the way it is. I don't want anything to be different," Paulsen said.

Paulsen's goal is to never become a statistic. She believes everyone has something to contribute to society and should be recognized for who they are, not how they are physically perceived. She wants her community to break barriers and transform stereotypes to pave the road of success for future generations.

The National Ms. Wheelchair competition will take place July 21-27 in Rockville, Md. Paulsen is prepared to conquer the challenge and win the 2009 Ms. Wheelchair America title.

Noelle Rivera is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory and may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com