photo courtesy Gina Schuh

Gina Schuh

Although Gina Schuh admits to being a planner, becoming Miss Wheelchair Arizona wasn’t on her list of things to do. Just four years ago, at age 18, she was working through culinary school with dreams of becoming a chef, getting a dog and traveling the world.
Then, a few months after moving to Tucson from California, she dove headfirst into a pool and broke her neck. After years of surgery and physical therapy, she has limited function in her hands and is paralyzed from the chest down. Being in a wheelchair was never a part of the plan, but she decided to change gears.
She’s now living in Mesa, working toward law school and volunteering with the Mesa Partnership for Children with Special Health Care Needs. In July, she participated in the Miss Wheelchair America pageant. As she travels the country and speaks to audiences, her platform will be to raise awareness about the misuse and abuse of handicapped parking spots. Here are a few lessons she’ll take on the road with her:

Keep Your Sense of Humor
“When my family came to visit me in the hospital when I first got hurt, it was very quiet. Everyone was sitting there, awkwardly. My aunt turned to me and said, ‘So… how do you feel?’ All I could say was, ‘I don’t!’ But it was perfect, everyone started laughing and realized that I hadn’t lost myself…. I tell people if you can’t laugh at yourself at the end of the day, you’re done.”

Be Assertive
“I was pulling my car into school and I had a guy cut me off and take the last handicapped parking spot. I rolled down the window to see a young guy pop out of his car and start to walk to class. I got his attention and asked why he had handicapped parking and he hesitated, ‘Uh, it’s my grandma’s.’ I had to ask him, nicely, to move.... I don’t always have someone there to watch my back. I’ve learned to be tough and to stick up for myself.”

Stay Positive
“There are things that I have been able to do that have shocked me. I can drive. I can go to school…. My doctor asked me if I sit at home all day, and I told him I wish I could! That would be the good life! People have a tendency to focus on things they can’t do… and they just can’t do that. Focus on things that you love and you’ll be just fine.”
— Interviewed by Claire Lawton