out here to speak I don’t get paid anything. I get paid mileage but I don’t get paid anything on top of it.” Eisenbraun hopes that other women in wheelchairs will apply to compete in the upcoming Ms Wheelchair South Dakota pageant in September. “They just have to be over the age of 21,” she said. “We need at least two or three to hold the pageant. As long as we keep holding the pageants it’s a good opportunity to make our state better. They have to be a female in a wheelchair. They don’t have to be in a wheelchair 100 percent of the time. You just have to be in your wheelchair at all public appearances because you are Ms Wheelchair South Dakota.” As for the rest of the population, Eisenbraun hopes they view the disabled population as what they are and act accordingly. “A lot of people don’t know what to do when they see us,” she said. “They shouldn’t ignore us. We’re still people. I still have the same dreams and wants as every other person. I just happen to have a disability to go with it. Anything we can do whether it’s big or small to make our state more accessible in all kinds of ways is what I’m trying to do.” Visit the Ms Wheelchair South Dakota 2016 Facebook page to follow Eisenbraun’s efforts on making South Dakota a better state. Also view the page for a link to her Gofundme page to contribute to her efforts. vBy Sara Wetzel vMS WHEELCHAIR continued from page 29 is to advocate for people with disabilities that have a difficult time having their voices heard.” Originally from Webster, Eisenbraun hopes to stay in South Dakota to build her career after her reign ends. “When I first went away I wanted to stay in Minnesota but I’ve learned that even though Minnesota may be physically more accessible, we have a lot better services to help people with disabilities whether it’s working or finding more personal care attendants,” she said. “We actually have the lowest unemployment rate for people with disabilities in the nation. That’s a big thing.” Eisenbraun hopes to earn a Master’s degree in social work and go on to work with people with developmental disabilities, having done an internship along those lines. “I absolutely loved it because I could relate to those people on a different level than most case managers could,” she said. “Even though I don’t have a developmental disability, I have a disability so I know what it’s like. I just started volunteering at LifeScape in Sioux Falls mentoring a couple of people who have disabilities at LifeScape because I’ve been in their shoes and I can help build their self-esteem.” In regards to more short-term goals, Eisenbraun is currently raising money to compete in the Ms Wheelchair America pageant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “The entrance fee alone is $1900,” she said. “When I come Send Us Your Ideas... hervoiceonline.com CONVERSATIONS SHOULD BE TWO-SIDED. Just like your balance sheet. And, starting here can help you take control of your financial life. We understand the unique facets of financial planning for women and can help you reach your goals. See what a Raymond James advisor can do for you. LIFE WELL PLANNED. Kathy Greeneway Certified Financial PlannerTM 225 Cedar Street, Yankton (605)665-4940 First Dakota Brokerage Services, Inc. A subsidiary of First Dakota National Bank. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC an independent broker/dealer. Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and are not deposits; not insured by FDIC or any other governmental agency; not guaranteed by the financial institution; subject to risk & may lose value. First Dakota National Bank and First Dakota Brokerage Services are independent of RJFS. HERVOICEvMAY/JUNE 2016v31