Angela Wrigglesworth's advocacy for people with disabilities is illustrated by the personal example she sets, and by her extensive volunteer and community involvement.

Wrigglesworth, 34, teaches third grade in the Houston area. She graduated in 1999 from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

As the college's first student using a wheelchair to take part in sorority rush, she spurred changes that have made all sorority houses on campus wheelchair-accessible. She was involved in numerous campus organizations, student government and community projects. As a member of the Parking and Transit Student Advisory Board, she worked to improve accessibility on the Texas A&M campus.

Involved in her community as well, she works at a camp for children with disabilities, is active in her church and helps local charities.

Wrigglesworth has held many leadership roles with MDA, starting as a child when she served as Texas MDA Goodwill Ambassador in 1985 and 1986. She's appeared on local broadcasts of the MDA Labor Day show since she was 6 years old, and has personally raised $70,000 for the Association. Wrigglesworth has been involved with MDA summer camp since she was a youngster. She also was the 1997 recipient of the Association's Personal Achievement Award for Texas and frequently speaks on behalf of MDA. Wrigglesworth was named Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2004 and now serves as the executive director of the Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation.

As an infant, Wrigglesworth received a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive motor neuron disease that causes weakness in the arms, legs and torso.