CONVERSE, Texas -- 24-year-old Mariah Kilbourne is still all smiles after being crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2013 back in August.
Kilbourne competed against 27 other women in Rhode Island for the title. "I couldn't believe it, I was so so so excited, " said Kilbourne.
Kilbourne told News 4 WOAI she's was born with cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair her entire life. She's a graduate of Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, there she worked to add more wheelchair ramps on campus.
Kilbourne said a big part of winning Ms. Wheelchair involves advocacy work a contestant has done, and what they plan to do if they win. "They tell us it's not about the number of heads you can turn, but the number of lives you can touch, " replied Kilbourne.
Kilbourne will spend the next year traveling the country advocating for people with disabilities.
