SEQUIM — A physical disability does not preclude happiness and can be overcome with a positive attitude, said the 2015 Ms. Wheelchair Washington, Julie Broadwell of Sequim, who was born without arms or legs.
With the catchphrase “attitudes are the real disability,” Broadwell, 50, said she has learned to embrace the challenges in her life and encourages others to do the same.
“I just want to show other people and disabled [people] that there is more beauty in the inside than the outside and that disabled [people] can be much more than a body in a chair,” she said.
Broadwell, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, was crowned 2015 Ms. Wheelchair Washington on March 3 and will serve in that capacity for one year.
Throughout her reign, Broadwell will serve as a spokeswoman throughout the state.
She will discuss awareness, acceptance and overall understanding of disabilities with the general public.
She will have the opportunity to travel across the state, visit advocacy groups, make public appearances and be available to conduct interviews.
Broadwell’s “platform,” or the principle on which she takes a stand in appealing to the public, is “Proactive, Not Reactive.”
She hopes to spread the message “that with any situation that may come up, whether good or bad, it’s the way that you choose to handle the situation that will make all the difference.”
She is preparing to represent the state of Washington and compete in the Ms. Wheelchair America 2016 pageant in Des Moines, Iowa, from July 27 through Aug. 2.
Unlike most pageants, Ms. Wheelchair Washington and Ms. Wheelchair America do not judge beauty.
Instead, the Ms. Wheelchair Washington and Ms. Wheelchair America organizations focus on recognizing the free spirit and accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs.
“A lot of people have never heard” of the pageant, Broadwell said.
And those who have “think we are going to spin a baton or walk down the platform in a bathing suit,” she laughed. “No.”
A native of Bellevue, Broadwell was born with quad phocomelia, an extremely rare congenital disorder.
But Broadwell has been able to live a full and happy life without hands or feet and works out of her home.
“I work for Alaska Airlines,” she said. “I am a reservation agent. I have been there for 23 years.”
“It is really cool. I get to work out of my house. I work part time, 30 hours, but I have to go into the office twice a month.”
And she is able to drive herself around in a specially equipped minivan she can get into and operate with no assistance.
Broadwell is able to clothe herself and perform daily tasks such as preparing meals and using the telephone.
“I wear clothes that I can pull over my head and non-zippered or -buttoned [pants],” she said. “Spandex is my friend.”
Broadwell does not wear shoes.
When it comes to meals, “I don’t do that very well. I can make some things. I can make rice or cook frozen meals. A roast beef in the oven? No.”
And using utensils simply requires an arm attachment.
“I use a utensil holder that goes on my arm, and then I slide the utensil in that holder or I eat without it,” she said.
“I haven’t mastered chopsticks yet,” she joked. “I am working on that.”
For drinking, “I just use a regular glass or straw,” she added.
Dialing and receiving telephone calls is also routine, which is an important aspect of her job.
“I just pick up the receiver and put it on my chin” if a headset is not available, Broadwell explained. “Or a I do a loud speaker.”
Through advocacy, encouragement and education, Broadwell aims to shine a positive light on disabilities and set an example for other individuals who also use wheelchairs for mobility.
Broadwell’s dream is to one day open a ranch where newly disabled folks can come and learn how to adapt to their new situations and thrive as individuals.
“My dream is to actually help women who become disabled, who lose a limb,” she said.
“Unfortunately, when someone loses a limb, they only get like 12 hours of therapy [total]. And you are on your own.
“I had a friend that lost a leg, and if she fell on the floor, she had no idea how to get back up on the chair. So I want a ranch where they can come in and learn how to relive their life.”
When a person becomes disabled, counseling is essential, Broadwell continued.
“A lot of women think they are unattractive after they lose a limb, and that is not true,” she said.
“They are just as attractive as any able-bodied person.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052; at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
