Ms. Wheelchair Washington to pave way for others

By John Sharify

Summary

Ms. Wheelchair Washington Sigrid Laegreid says she'd like to see better access of equipment for the disabled at health clubs. She figures now that she's got a crown and a title, people will listen.

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Story Published: Apr 11, 2007 at 3:16 PM PST

Story Updated: Apr 12, 2007 at 12:35 PM PST

Ms. Wheelchair Washington to pave way for others
Sigrid Laegreid hasn't been able to wipe that smile off her face since she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington.

In 1991, The 43-year-old Lake Forest Park woman was run over by a drunk driver. She's paralyzed from the waist down.

"My goal is to make this world just a little bit better before I leave," she told the pageant judges.

She told me she she'd like to see better access of equipment for the disabled at health clubs. She figures now that she's got a crown and a title, people will listen.

"Now that I'm Ms. Wheelchair Washington, I can walk in there and say 'Hey, I'm Ms. Wheelchair Washington and there are a lot of people like me who would like to work out at your gym,'" says Sigrid.

This year she'll be visiting health clubs to persuade owners to make changes. This summer she'll head to Baltimore to compete in the Ms.Wheelchair America 2007 contest.