Wisconsin woman wins Ms. Wheelchair USA title

ELLSWORTH, WISCONSIN -- A Wisconsin woman earned the title of Ms. Wheelchair USA in a competition that focuses on the accomplishments of women with disabilities.  

Ellsworth, Wisconsin native Tasha Schuh never imagined she would be a participant, let alone the winner of a beauty pageant. She says her newly-earned title of Ms. Wheelchair USA comes with much more than a crown.

"Really this program is all about empowering women -- the self-worth in women, and just showing the achievements that can be accomplished even if you are sitting in a wheelchair," Schuh said.

15 years ago, during a high school theater production, Schuh took one step that changed her life. During a scene change, she took a step backward and fell 16 feet through a trap door, and landed below the stage.

"So it left me a C56 Quadriplegic with limited arm function and paralyzed from the chest down," Schuh said.

Schuh says the six-month recovery was an emotional battle.

"I came home and just realized in time that if I was going to move on, that I was going to need to change my attitude," Schuh said.

Schuh is writing a book called, "The Last Step Backward." She expects it to be out in the fall.