Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center to Host Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania

(LANCASTER, Pa.) – Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center will host a visit from Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2013, Katie Smith, on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Katie will take a tour of the facility, visit the preschool and daycare classrooms, and interact with the children receiving therapy services.

Katie Smith, a Western Pennsylvania native, originally planned to be a nurse. In 2007, her directions changed after a car accident left her with a spinal cord injury and a quadriplegic. In 2012, Katie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Seton Hill University with certifications in elementary and special education. She is passionate and energetic in the classroom and enjoys volunteering, tutoring, and substitute teaching.

Last March, Katie Smith was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2013. During her reign, Katie has travelled throughout the state participating in community education, public speaking, conferences, and many other events and programs. Katie’s mission as Ms. Pennsylvania Wheelchair is to empower others to face their challenges head on and to share their stories. This action can help others and create an environment of understanding.

The Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania competition began in 2000 as a way to find the most accomplished and articulate spokeswomen for people with disabilities throughout the state. The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania Program is to give women with physical disabilities throughout the state a platform to promote the achievements as well as the needs of mobility impaired persons. Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania is dedicated to increasing public awareness so that all Pennsylvanians will be able to lead productive and meaningful lives.

The staff and students of Schreiber are excited to welcome Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2013 for her visit on February 18. Everyone at the Center is looking forward to getting to know Katie and learning more about her mission, platform and personal experiences.

Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that provides physical, occupational and speech-language therapies, as well as educational and recreational programs for thousands of children in Central PA living with congenital and acquired disabilities and developmental delays. Our goal-oriented approach maximizes each child’s ability to function as independently as possible within the community. For more information, please visit www.schreiberpediatric.org.