Metairie teen makes history being crowned Miss Teen Wheelchair USA

METAIRIE, La. ( WGNO ) — 17-year-old Emmy Rabalais, from Metairie, was recently crowned Miss Teen Wheelchair USA .

Rabalais is a student at The Oaks Private School, speaks fluent French and plans to become a civil rights attorney.

Rabalais’ platform is “Making Magical Wish Trips a Reality for Special Kids.” She has cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia caused by an infection at birth.

Her goal is to join with other teen women with disabilities “to show the world that we are unstoppable.”

Rabalais was crowned on July 19 at the national competition in Northeast, Ohio. She is the first ever to be crowned Miss Teen Wheelchair USA.

On Friday, it was a disco-themed lunch at Galatoire’s in honor of Rabalais’ day in New Orleans.

“Everything struck me about Emmy when she showed up, certainly prepared, professional, excited. We felt by adding a teen program, it gave younger ladies not only an opportunity to tell their stories but an opportunity for them to be with older women with disabilities and share their stories to mentor each other,” Lowery Lockard, founder of Miss Wheelchair USA said.

Lots of memories were made on Friday.

“None of this would have been possible without my mom. She pulled this off for me,” Rabalais said.

“It’s the biggest thing she’s ever done. I’m so proud of her. I’m very excited to have here at her first Friday at Galatoire’s. What better way to celebrate,” Nikki Pontiff, Rabalais’ mother said.

Pontiff went on to say, “She’s a pioneer, trailblazer.”

You can count on it that Friday won’t be the last day that you’ll hear her name.

“My future plan is to go to law school to be a disability rights attorney to help other people like me,” Rabalais said.

A second line parade was also held throughout the French Quarter to celebrate Rabalais’ honor.

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