Sanford Resident Hopes to Be Next Ms. Maine

Photo: Kristen Pelletier

By Renée Morin

Kristen Pelletier of Sanford is looking for more than a title when she competes in the United States of America Ms. Maine Pageant this fall. She hopes to inspire people with disabilities to follow their dreams.

Pelletier, 41, who grew up in Sanford, has been paralyzed from the waist down since suffering a spinal cord injury from a car accident when she was about to enter her senior year of high school. Despite her injuries, she went to college, got married and became a mother. She and her two children now live in her hometown, where she says no one makes her feel like she has a disability.

Pelletier said the motto of the pageant — “empower, inspire, uplift” — resonates with her, especially these days. Through a family friend, Pelletier recently met Amanda Boxtel, the founder of Bridging Bionics. The nonprofit offers physical therapy to help people regain mobility. Pelletier was given the chance to travel to Colorado to participate in this program and was subsequently able to take her first steps in 19 years.

After her return from the program, Pelletier raised enough money to purchase a Galileo vibration table to continue her therapy. As these devices are not readily available in this part of the country, she hopes to be able to share her table with other people like her. She also plans to fundraise in the future to send another local individual to Colorado for this treatment program. In that same vein, Pelletier plans to use her platform in the pageant to fight the stigma associated with being disabled.

The Ms. Maine pageant, to be held on Oct. 13 at the Augusta Civic Center, is one of four events that will send contestants to the national United States of America Pageant in Orlando, Florida next July, each representing a different demographic.

Before the pageant begins, each contestant will be interviewed by the judges to explain how they can inspire people. On the day of the actual pageant, contestants will model three different outfits: patriotic wear, swimsuits, and evening wear. Tickets are available for those interested in attending.

Pelletier is seeking sponsorships from local businesses to help cover the costs of her travel, lodging, wardrobe, and entrance fee. Sponsors will have their names printed in the pageant program and will be featured in Pelletier’s social media feeds. Any money left over will be put toward Pelletier’s goal of sending a local individual to Colorado for physical therapy.

Pelletier says she is honored to represent her community in this pageant with other like-minded people. She is happy to get exposure for individuals with disabilities and to be able to show that disabilities do not define a person.

Even after a devastating injury, she said, “You can find that spark again.”