Ms. Wheelchair North Dakota is Advocating For Specialized Mental Health and Suicide Awareness for People With Disabilities

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — “I think my advocacy platform is important to our state and something that needs to be addressed. And I think that our state needs to be represented. Not every state is represented, and the fact that I’m representing our state, I think, is huge,” said Stacy Johnson, Ms. Wheelchair North Dakota.

Stacy Johnson from Grand Forks, North Dakota, recently received the crown of Ms. Wheelchair North Dakota. Being the second woman to receive the title in the state. While the crown has pushed her to advocate for others living with disabilities, she has not always liked being in the spotlight.

“I feel better about talking about myself. I feel more confident in myself and my platform, and being in this wheelchair. I think I’ve opened up a lot more than I ever would,” said Johnson.

Johnson had become paralyzed from her neck down in June of 2020 after a motorcycle accident. Johnson’s husband is a veteran, and she was injured while riding with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. When she realized she was wheelchair bound she thought she wouldn’t have a job.

“When I was in Chicago, I did not know that I can keep my job. I thought that once I had this injury that I would lose my job. A lot of people don’t realize that they can still work once they sustain a spinal cord injury. I thought I was going to be unemployed and on disability.”

Johnson’s workplace, Altru Cancer Center, made sure she was able to return by reconstructing her desk to fit in her new wheelchair so she can work normally. Since being in a wheelchair and part of her association, Johnson has been advocating for individuals with disabilities on Specialized Mental Health, Suicide Awareness, and Spinal Cord Injuries.

“I think that we’re important. I think that you know we matter. And that there are things that definitely need to be addressed. I mean, why is there limited data? Since 2021, I mean if you look for studies, a lot of them don’t start till 96,” said Johnson.

Currently, Johnson is raising money to go to compete in Nationals.

For more information on Johnson, you can follow her Facebook page.