AL HJR255

Commends Dr. Natalie A. Whalen of Ozark, Alabama, upon her selection as Ms. Wheelchair Alabama 2011.

Dr. Whalen will represent Alabama at the Ms. Wheelchair USA competition in July 2011 in Green, Ohio.

Dr. Whalen is a retired educator who earned a Master's Degree in Special Education from Florida State University in 1982 and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Special Education from The Union Institute and University of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1999.

At age five, she was struck by a truck and left paralyzed from the shoulders down; she later walked with crutches and braces until age 24 and is the mother of two and grandmother of six.

Dr. Whalen's platform is "It's All a Matter of Attitude" and she holds leadership roles including officer of the Wiregrass Patriots, Secretary of the Claybank Master Gardeners, and Queen Mother of the Bama Belles, Red Hat Society.