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LEWES, Del. - Representing your home state is an honor, and for Amy Simonson, it’s also a mission. Simonson, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Delaware, is preparing to take the national stage in the upcoming Miss Wheelchair USA pageant this July.
Simonson’s entry into the pageant world was unconventional. What began as a casual comment to her mother—“How cool would it be if I was Ms. Wheelchair Delaware?”—turned into a serious endeavor.
“I filled out the 30-page application. It was a lot and it was a little overwhelming, but I got it sent in,” Simonson said. “Now, I have a crown.”
Simonson lives with spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome, which caused partial paralysis and ultimately led to a partial leg amputation during high school. She uses a wheelchair and has channeled her experiences into advocacy work, particularly through her platform titled “Change the Face of Beauty.”
Simonson is a photographer and offers free photo shoots to individuals and families living with disabilities, aiming to reshape how society views people with mobility challenges.
“My whole purpose is to try and change how society views us—that we are more than our disabilities,” she said.
Simonson remains active in her local community as a church member and Sunday school teacher. She credits her faith and sense of purpose with helping her maintain a positive outlook.
“You can either be miserable in your circumstances or you can make the best out of your situation,” she said. “Having a purpose bigger than myself… kids are kind of looking up to me.”
Though she has formed friendships with fellow competitors, Simonson said she is approaching the national competition with a competitive spirit.
“We jokingly said we’ll be best friends up until the pageant competition time,” she said.
Beyond the crown, Simonson hopes to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusive design in public spaces.
“If there’s not a way for us to get into a building, we can’t go to that business,” she said. “We want to live normal lives.”
For Simonson, the pageant is not just a competition—it’s an opportunity to advocate for equity and visibility in a community she is proud to represent.