Irving, Texas. March 21, 2012 –

Michelle Sanchez is a contestant in the 2012 Ms. Wheelchair Texas Gala. Along with 10 other contestants, Sanchez aims to raise awareness for people with disabilities and advocate for change through developing and sharing a platform at this Saturday’s event in Houston.

Sanchez is a 37-year-old woman from Irving, Texas. She graduated from MacArthur High School in 1993 and has since gone on to work as a sales agent for Comerica Bank for the last 13 years.

Sanchez’s platform for the gala centers on the lack of wheelchair accessible taxis in the Dallas area.

“It's not easy to just sit in a compact car and lift a 200 lb. chair in the trunk,” Sanchez said. “Taxi companies need to be educated and realize how important it is for us to have this transportation.”

When Sanchez‘s van broke down one evening after work, she tried to call for a taxi to get her home; however, there were none that could accommodate her wheelchair and the one company that could give her a ride wanted to charge her $80 for a seven mile trip home.

Like any young woman stranded without a working vehicle, Sanchez wanted to be able to rely on affordable and accessible transportation to get home when she needed it.

“I decided to participate because I want to see changes happen that will help disabled people,” Sanchez said. “Being a part of Ms Wheelchair Texas I know I will have build new relationships and hear about different experiences these women have had.”

The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Gala will be Saturday, March 24 in Houston and is open to the public. For more information about the gala please visit the following website: www.mswheelchairtexas.org.

The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that strives to improve the lives of people with disabilities through its mission of advocacy and education.