Defining Beauty: Ms. Wheelchair America

Defining Beauty

Defining Beauty, More Than Just A Sash And Crown, A Documentary on Ms. Wheelchair America directed Alexis Ostrander is a feature length documentary focusing on the extraordinary lives of the women of Ms. Wheelchair America and their journey toward the 2010 Ms. Wheelchair America pageant. It is the story of women who challenge themselves on a daily basis to live life beyond their limitations and by doing so, redefine the perception of beauty and what it means to be disabled.

Women from twenty-seven states, with different disabilities, compete in this national competition every year. Since 1972 the mission of Ms. Wheelchair America has been to “provide an opportunity for women of achievement, who happen to be wheelchair users, to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 52 million Americans living with disabilities.” Unlike traditional beauty pageants, this is not a contest to select the most attractive contestant, instead it’s a competition based on “advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation to select the most accomplished and articulate spokesperson for individuals with disabilities.”

Though the framework of MS.WHEELCHAIR AMERICA will follow these women toward the national competition in South Dakota, the real stories will follow the amazing lives they lead. They are mothers, students, peace corps-volunteers, social activists, teachers, political and community figures. As we travel with them and learn their obstacles in life, we will also look at societal views of people with disabilities. However, this film will transcend disabilities by exploring the universal and timeless issues of femininity, independence and identity.

The documentary has been accepted as an Official Selection of the 2011 Newport Beach Film Festival.

There will be a screening and Q&A session on Sunday, May 1 at 3:45pm at the Triangle Square 3 - 1870 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Additional info: http://newportbeach.slated.com/2011/films/definingbeautymswheelchairamerica_alexisostrander_newportbeach2011
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60228618490 and https://twitter.com/definingmedia
http://definingbeautydoc.blogspot.com/

To make a tax-deductible donation to MS. WHEELCHAIR AMERICA: DEFINING BEAUTY, please visit: http://www.documentary.org/community/IDA-resources/fiscal_sponsorship_donate?film_id=3101