Ms. Wheelchair loses after she's seen standing Wisconsin woman can't compete after photo surfaces

APPLETON, Wis. -- Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin has been stripped ofher title because pageant officials say she can stand -- and point toa newspaper picture as proof.

Janeal Lee, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a scooter, wassnapped by the Post-Crescent newspaper standing among her high schoolmath students.

"I've been made to feel as if I can't represent the disabledcitizens of Wisconsin because I'm not disabled enough," Lee saidThursday.

Lee, 30, of Appleton, had planned to go to the national pageantwith her younger sister, who also has muscular dystrophy and won thecompetition in Minnesota.

Students at Kaukauna High School, where Lee teaches, raised $1,000for her trip to the national pageant.

The move by the state pageant officials, led by coordinator GinaHackel, is supported by the national board.

Others would be offended

Candidates for the crown have to "mostly be seen in the publicusing their wheelchairs or scooters," said Judy Hoit, Ms. WheelchairAmerica's treasurer. "Otherwise you've got women who are in theirwheelchairs all the time and they get offended if they see someonestanding up. We can't have title holders out there walking whenthey're seen in the public."

Hackel said Lee should have been aware of the rules.

AP