Grants Pass woman takes 3rd in Miss Wheelchair America

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (KOBI) – A local woman has earned national recognition after placing third in the Miss Wheelchair America competition over the weekend.

As KOBI reported last week, Miss Wheelchair Oregon, Alice Diehl, represented the state on a platform focused on advocating for homeless individuals and vulnerable communities. The Grants Pass native took the stage Friday night to share her powerful story with a national audience.

“Where I live in rural southern Oregon, it is considered illegal to be homeless. Diversity is still a hot-button issue. Shelters look like chain link fences encased in concrete. Some covered shelters require you to be able to work physically or to maintain sobriety for at least six months prior, and most of the individuals who have come to know are in fact, disabled themselves.”

Diehl also shared that it has been an honor to work with local organizations such as Disability Rights Oregon and MINT, whose missions align with her advocacy work.