Breaking Barriers: Help Kimi Compete in Miss Wheelchair World

THE PROBLEM

Persons with disability (PWD) are subjected to discrimination, inaccessability and social assumptions. Many thinks that they are bounded by their conditions when in reality this limit exist only in our minds. Beauty is limitless - it cannot be defined by skin colour, race, religion or a condition. Unfortunately, in some parts including Malaysia, this was the reality for PWD women. 

We have come to this because we lack the awareness, knowledge and understanding about PWD. We assume and let our assumption limit what they can and cannot do or achieve. For many years, activists and community members have actively dedicated themselves towards advocating about the issues surrounding PWD. While there are positive progress, we are yet to be socially-inclusive, equal and accessible community.

Only One Foundation founded Miss Wheelchair World with PWD women in mind. They are committed towards changing the image of disabled women of the world. The foundations came about by two disabled moms who wanted direct attention to the matters of women with disbility across global societies. Miss Wheelchair World is an event meant to break barriers for PWD women worldwide.

THE SOLUTION

Nur Ashikeen or Kimi as she is fondly known has been a wheelchair user for more than a decade. She was 17 years old when a tragic accident left her with multiple injuries including a fractured spinal chord that led her to paralysis. Speaking to NST said that she has since, "had to unpick a lifetime of negative messages about people with special needs".

She is recently crowned as Miss Malaysia Wheelchair World - a title among many she has won such as Miss Charity Queen (2019) and Malaysia's Wheelchair Queen Champion (2018). She will be flying to Mexico to represent foremost, the PWD community especially women and the country at the grand finals in Mexico. 

Striving to make a difference, she wishes to use this opportunity and platform to shine the light on PWD communities, breakdown barriers within the beauty industry for women alike and put Malaysia on centre stage as what has been achieved by the Malaysian Paralympic champions. 

To compete in Mexico, she is actively looking for sponsorship and funding alternatives such as online crowdfunding on GivingHub. She needs at least RM30,000 to be able to purchase two flight tickets to Mexico for herself and a chaperone.  She is looking for sponsors for her National Costume and evening gown. 

*Please note that if the tickets have been sponsored or if she has received a direct donation, this page will be updated and the target will be adjusted accordingly as to not fundraise more than what is needed.

THE IMPACT

Kimi's nomination as finalists in the Miss Wheelchair World is an opportunity to break the glass ceiling for PWD women. She has proven through her many achievements the possibilities for PWD women particularly to have a place in the beauty industry like any other. To have her represent Malaysia in Mexico is a chance to encourage girls and women about the power that they hold in not letting their conditions define who they are and what they are worth. 

It is a chance to highlight that change is going to come - that if given the chance, support and attention needed, we can advocate against discrimination on PWD. The time is now to change the narrative and shape an equal, inclusive and accessible Malaysia.

Follow Kimi's Instagram (@kimiblackmusic) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kimiblack)

Let's Send Our Miss Malaysia Wheelchair World to Mexico!