Melissa Day enjoys the same things as any other 24-year-old woman: Shopping, going to dinner, movies and hanging out with friends.
She is a beautiful young lady with blonde hair and bright eyes. Her personality makes it impossible to not want to be her friend. She has a contagious smile and an unparalleled zest for life. And she is confined to a wheelchair.
Don’t feel sorry for her – she does not want your sympathy.
“No matter if you have a disability, we’re just the same as anyone else,” Day said, “We just have different challenges and may look different, but we’re still the same person inside.”
Melissa was 15 years old at the time of her accident in 1994. While at a camp on Kelly’s Island, she dove off the side of a pool and hit her shoulder. She severed two vertebrae and subsequently had her life changed forever.
In a moment she went from a girl full of energy to a quadriplegic lying in a hospital bed wearing a halo and unable to breathe on her own.
Melissa was to begin her first year at Hilliard Davidson High School. She was active in volleyball and had started working.
“When you’re 15, and you lose your independence, it sucks,” Day said.
“She was a typical teenager snubbing her nose at authority,” said Day’s uncle, Ted Goodman.
Despite the accident and loss of mobility, Melissa was determined to live life to the fullest; and after nine weeks in a hospital, she did just that.
Melissa went to prom, was inducted into National Honor Society and graduated on time in 1997 with her friends and the rest of her class. She received an award at commencement for her perseverance through difficulty.
Day’s achievements are not limited to her high school career. Melissa continuously overcomes obstacles and challenges. She said support from her family and friends and trust in God have kept her going.
Keeping a positive outlook on life while being physically restricted is difficult enough, but she has also overcome obesity and a learning disability.
Melissa was a size 20 and is now a size 6. She lost 70 pounds – a feat made difficult by limited mobility.
Day said one of her greatest achievements was simply going to college. She not only made it to college, but is majoring in political science and plans to graduate in December. On top of that, Melissa made the National Dean’s List while attending Columbus State Community College and has maintained a grade point average above 2.95 during her college tenure while having difficulty reading.
In a world where simple tasks are taken for granted, each day could be called an accomplishment for someone in a wheelchair.
“I live life too much to just let it pass me by,” Day said.
As a result of the accident, Melissa lost the use of her right hand and was forced to learn to do things left-handed. She still writes, feeds herself and brushes her teeth. She even drives a vehicle.
Monique Schmucker, Day’s friend and aide, has known her for two and a half years and is still amazed by what Melissa is able to do.
“She can drive pretty darn good,” Schumucker said. “Watch out, man, for that green van,” she added jokingly.
On a serious note, Schmucker said, “She gives me a lot of motivation. It blows my mind how a tragic situation can make someone so strong. She’s very strong.”
This past March, Day added another credential to her list of accomplishments – she won the 31st annual Ms. Wheelchair Ohio pageant. One look at the 2003 Ms. Wheelchair Ohio causes one to wonder if she could have won the Miss Ohio pageant or any other traditional beauty contest.
Participants in the contest are judged on poise, articulation, accomplishments and self perception, with the winner to be a spokeswoman for disabled people in the state, said Stacy Hubbard, the director of the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio program.
Contestants participate in personal interviews, platform speeches and on-stage interviews in front of a panel of five judges. Women from 21 to 60 that utilize a wheelchair for daily mobility are eligible.
“We’re looking for someone that’s promoting the whole idea that disabled women can do wonderful things even though they have a wheelchair. This year, Melissa fit the bill,” Hubbard said.
Melissa will now go on to compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America contest held July 22 in Des Moines.
Even if she wins, Melissa still has goals she plans to reach. She wants to meet President George W. Bush, Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, OSU President Karen A. Holbrook and to be a congresswoman.
“I got an itch when I went to the statehouse,” Day said. She said she hopes to have a job involved in the government and the American Center for Law and Justice.
Day said, “I try to do the best I can and I’d like to make a difference in the world.”
