Margarita Elizondo, Ms. Wheelchair California 2013, is a Spinal Cord Injury survivor who sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down after an intruder broke into her home in 2006. Now a single mother of three, and proud grandmother of two, she attends Grossmont Community College in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Communication. She is employed by Axia Management where she holds the position of Director of Social Initiative Strategies, marketing wireless telecommunication services by True Wireless and Heart Mobile.
Her everlasting passion of encouraging individuals with disabilities of all ages to further their education, be self- advocates, and inspire others through the pursuit of their individual dreams despite their challenges is demonstrated through her involvement in numerous organizations, and volunteerism.
In 2007, she founded Blessed with Life, which is a faith based peer support program for people with disabilities and their families. In 2008, she became a Peer Support Advisor for SHARP Memorial Hospital and by 2009, she established the SHARP/HeadNorth Mentor Program for individuals affected by spinal cord injuries. In 2011, she continued to pursue her passions when she founded a Joni and Friends San Diego Chapter, which teaches and encourages churches to disciple and minister to individuals with disabilities. She is a motivational speaker and leadership development trainer for the San Diego Unified School District working with at risk middle school and high school students through 2nd Mile Ministry and she is a radio talk show host for an internet radio show she produces herself, Wheel Talk Wheel Issues, and celebrates diverse abilities through her blog, Celebrating ADA & Ability Awareness.
