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"Every time I think, 'Okay, God, I'm in serious need of an angel right about now,' someone always appears to help me out," mused Denise DiNoto.

Ms. DiNoto, who coordinates the Ms. Wheelchair New York pageant, uses a wheelchair herself due to a progressive neuromuscular disease. 

"Knowing that I am never alone to face any difficulty is a comfort, and I draw strength from that," she told The Evangelist.

Her strength is often used in mentoring a friend: Deanna LaBuzzetta, who currently holds the title of Ms. Wheelchair New York.

Ms. LaBuzzetta was confirmed by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard at St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa just before suffering a debilitating stroke at the age of 19. Initially paralyzed from the neck down, she eventually recovered the use of her right arm.

Today, she refers to Ms. DiNoto as a source of inspiration.

"Denise has helped me so much since I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York in April and I'm happy to know she'll be arriving in South Dakota a day before my plane lands there," said Ms. LaBuzzetta, who will be heading west to compete at the national Ms. Wheelchair America pageant next month.

Speaking out
The pageant provides opportunities for women who use wheelchairs to educate and advocate for others with disabilities. Contestants are judged on their advocacy efforts, self-perception and public speaking abilities.

Ms. LaBuzzetta's platform involves advocating for improved health care for those who depend upon wheelchairs for mobility. Now representing thousands of New Yorkers with disabilities, she will represent millions if named Ms. Wheelchair America.

The pageant contestant, who often receives compliments on her joyful spirit, considers herself blessed that a nun named Sister Angeline crossed her path when she was preparing for Confirmation in the 1980s. 

"Sister Angeline was quite strict, so I was really surprised when she told me that even though life might be hard when I got older, I should always find a way to make it fun," Ms. LaBuzzetta recalled. "Some people wonder how I can be so happy when I'm in a wheelchair. I reply that I cannot change what has happened, but I can make the best of it. 

"In or out of a wheelchair, life is ultimately what you make of it. I've chosen to follow Sister Angeline's advice and make it fun!"

In that respect, Ms. LaBuzzetta is emulating her mentor: Ms. DiNoto's faith foundation was cemented during a childhood that included attending Mass with her family at St. John's Church in Bainbridge, in the Syracuse Diocese.

Positive spin
Now a resident of the Albany Diocese with a Master's degree in speech pathology, Ms. DiNoto told The Evangelist that her personal motto, "Always assume good intent," almost always brings out the best in others.

"I have always had faith and knowledge that I am not going to be handed anything I can't handle, and I have always been aware that no matter how difficult any particular situation may be, there is always someone else out there who has a more difficult cross to bear," she added. "I've also always known that things happen in life for a reason, though we don't always understand what that reason is at the time."

Ms. LaBuzzetta certainly did not understand her future path when she became disabled: "At the time I had the stroke, I had a dream job at Disney World in Florida and enjoyed having fun on the beaches and playing softball as a member of the Disney World team," she remembered.

"I could never have imagined life in a wheelchair, but it's amazing how well you adjust when you don't have a choice. A winning attitude makes all the difference in the world."

To that end, Ms. LaBuzzetta volunteers at The Unlimited Garden, operated by Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension, as well as serving as a mentor in area hospitals and nursing homes. She enjoys attending NASCAR races and bi-skiing, using adaptive equipment.

To meet her next challenge of competing for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America, Ms. LaBuzzetta is working to raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of her trip -- including the cost of renting a specialized wheelchair.[[In-content Ad]]

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