Trisston Wright grew up like most children do. She had two great parents, a loving sister and was extremely active during her high school years. She attended Prattville High School and was a member of the marching band. She graduated with honors and an advanced diploma at age 17.
She then enrolled at Auburn University Montgomery (AUM), where she was a member of numerous honor societies and even first runner-up on the homecoming court. She graduated summa cum laude from AUM in 2000, with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She was awarded the Chancellor’s Scholar Award, making history as the first marketing major in the school of business to win that award.
Impressive achievements for anyone, most would agree — but they are even more impressive knowing that Wright was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and has spent all of her life in a wheelchair.
But the condition that has weakened her fine-motor skills is nothing Wright could not overcome. She said the word “can’t” never entered her vocabulary. The 30-year-old just keeps going — and was even crowned Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005.
Wright, a member of East Memorial Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association, first learned of the competition from a friend at the Montgomery Center for Independent Living.
“The executive director of the Montgomery Center for Independent Living heard about the pageant and called me on my cell phone to tell me about it,” she said. “The next day, I called the state coordinator and as they say, ‘the rest is history.’”
Wright competed with five other women for the title Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005. Unlike most pageants, the Ms. Wheelchair America program is a competition to select the most accomplished and articulate spokeswoman for the millions of Americans who utilize wheelchairs for mobility.
According to Wright, each of the contestants was judged on accomplishments, self-perception and communication skills in personal interview, onstage question and answer session and a platform speech presentation during the formalwear competition.
“Being crowned Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005 was a dream come true. This year, my own understanding of disability issues and my dedication to help level the playing field for the 54 million Americans who have disabilities has deepened,” she said.
During her reign, Wright traveled to speak to more than 65 organizations across the state “advocating, educating and promoting the abilities of people with disabilities.”
And just after being crowned, Wright met with Gov. Bob Riley, who declared the month of October 2004 as “Awareness of the Abilities of People with Disabilities” month. Prattville presented her with the key to the city and declared July 19, 2005, as Trisston L. Wright Day.
In July 2005, she represented the state of Alabama in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2006 Pageant in Albany, N.Y.
Wright said her faith has played a large role not only as Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama but also in her entire life.
“My faith in God plays a huge part in who I am and what I do today. I know that God has a purpose and a plan for me, just as He does for every one. Realistically the day I was born could have been the day I died. However, God had a plan for me, much bigger than my family or I could have imagined,” she said.
“I truly believe that this is who God intended me to be in this life. This is who Trisston is — a woman living an active, meaningful life while utilizing a wheelchair for mobility, a woman with cerebral palsy, a daughter, an artist, a pageant winner, a spokesperson, a Christian, an advocate, a friend.
“I give God the honor and glory for all that I am because I know that with God, all things are possible. What a blessing to be able to be a blessing to others.”
Wright’s reign came to an end in October 2005. She continues, however, to make public appearances and interact with government entities to create awareness of the abilities of people with disabilities. She said 2005 is a year she will never forget.
“If I was even a modest inspiration to those who came in contact with me, by hearing my story or seeing me living an active, meaningful life while utilizing a wheelchair for mobility, then wearing the sash and the crown as Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005 was not only a great honor, it was a tremendous chance to make a difference in people’s lives and illuminate opportunities for others,” Wright said.
She continues to write and paint in her spare time. Her paintings are on display in galleries throughout Alabama and in the Very Special Arts of Alabama Traveling Exhibit. Wright also has a regular column, “Trisston’s Tidbits,” in The Montgomery Gazette and The Prattville Gazette.
For more information visit www.trisstonwright.com.
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