Island Lake woman takes part in Ms. Wheelchair Illinois America pageant

Jill Wesselhoff loved chatting with the contestants as their makeup was applied and hair was styled.

Wearing an emerald green dress, Wesselhoff donned formal wear and had to think on the fly to answer questions before judges.

Its cool that it is a pageant pretty much minus the swimsuit, which is great, she said.

But this was not a typical pageant. Contestants did not walk across the stage. They rolled in their wheelchairs.

The 31-year-old Island Lake resident proudly earned the title as first runner-up at the second annual Ms. Wheelchair Illinois America competition, where Wesselhoff said contestants are breaking the misconception of what a beauty pageant stands for.

It doesnt have to be about your looks or what you are wearing. It is about the person. Just because we have wheels doesnt mean we are any less a part of the community, she said.

Wesselhoff was diagnosed at age 1 with a genetic neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy. Her mom, Terri, knew something was wrong when she never began to walk. She has used a motorized wheelchair since she was 3, adding, Ive been driving for a very long time.

Even though doctors said she would not live past age 3, Terri and Wesselhoffs father, Bill, encouraged her to do whatever she could while she took physical and occupational therapy. Wesselhoff adds she still sees the same therapists as when she was first diagnosed.

Ive had a wonderful support group, and that is what pushed me, she said. Ive always been blessed with being really secure because my parents made me that way. I have to maybe do things differently, but Ive never had special treatment.

She took special education classes until third grade when she joined mainstream classes. A 1999 Wauconda High School graduate, she pursued her love of language and teaching children as she earned an associate degree in arts at McHenry Community College.

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Island Lake woman takes part in Ms. Wheelchair Illinois America pageant