‘MISS WHEELCHAIR AMERICA’ TO VISIT ADRIAN COLLEGE posted 3/14/06

Rizzo (Submitted photo)

Adrian College’s annual Disabilities Awareness Week is scheduled March 20-24. The keynote speaker this year is Juliette Rizzo, Miss Wheelchair America 2005. She is scheduled to speak Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Dawson Auditorium. Rizzo empowers listeners by sharing her experiences and adventures with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and fibromyalgia.

Rizzo is the special assistant for Communication in the Office of Communications and Outreach in the U.S. Department of Education and is also newly appointed to the Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities in the state of Maryland. She has been featured in publications on radio and television around the world and appeared at the Rose Bowl and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades. She co-hosted an international Fourth of July broadcast to the troops in Iraq. Rizzo regularly participates in aquatic exercise and sails, promoting the benefits of accessible boating. She recently received the Presidential Lifestyle Award from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. Rizzo appeared as the first person with a disability on the Discovery Channel’s “National Body Challenge” series.

The public is welcome to this free event. Dawson Auditorium is located off Charles Street on the Adrian College campus. campus map

A series of events are planned on campus throughout the week.