Mobility means more than movement, it’s about freedom and connection. For Alexandra Martinez, this belief shines through in every part of her life. As Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, she uses her platform to show how mobility, expression, and community come together through dance and advocacy.

When Alexandra represented Ohio at the Ms. Wheelchair America national competition this year, she described the experience as nothing short of magical.

“It was an amazing experience,” Alexandra said. “It’s hard to put into words how beautiful it was. It was a little stressful because the week was full of interviews and workshops, but the bonding with the other contestants was incredible. We all left feeling like sisters.”

That sense of connection stayed with her long after the competition ended. During the event, Alexandra was honored with the Spotlight Award, a recognition created by the judges to celebrate a competitor who breaks barriers through joy and love.

“I was so surprised,” she said. “My goal has always been to lead with joy. My platform, Dancing Through Disability, is all about sharing the joy and healing that come from dance. Winning that award meant so much to me.”

The Power of Dance

For Alexandra, dance isn’t just a form of art; it’s a source of healing and strength. Born with spina bifida, she spent much of her childhood undergoing surgeries and recovering from medical procedures. During a particularly challenging recovery in 2020, she turned to dance as a means to reconnect with her body and emotions.

“Dance literally saved my life,” Alexandra said. “It brought me back into my community and helped me express what I was feeling. For people with disabilities, dance can be a powerful way to connect with your body, release stress, and process emotions. It’s an incredible form of therapy.”

Alexandra began dancing at age five with the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland, an organization that paved the way for her lifelong love of movement. Since then, she has also worked with North Pointe Ballet, Cleveland Dance Project, and Youth Challenge, all of which promote inclusion and creativity for people of all abilities.

Growing as an Advocate

Through the national competition, Alexandra gained confidence in her ability to advocate for the disability community.

“I didn’t realize how much this crown and sash were a tool for advocacy until I started answering questions at nationals,” she said. “It made me more confident in speaking up about disability issues and standing my ground. The crown made me a stronger advocate.”

Spina Bifida Awareness Month: Celebrating Community

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, a time especially meaningful to Alexandra.

“This month is everything to me,” she said. “I always joke that this is my month. I love sharing facts about spina bifida and helping people learn more about it.”

Spina bifida, a condition that affects the spine, is often called the “snowflake disability” because no two people experience it in the same way.

“If you’ve met one person with spina bifida, you’ve met one person with spina bifida,” Alexandra explained. “Some people walk, some use wheelchairs; everyone’s experience is different. That’s why it’s so important to listen to our stories.”

Even with the challenges her condition can bring, Alexandra says it has helped her find her purpose and a sense of community.

“If I didn’t have spina bifida, I wouldn’t be part of Dancing Wheels or Youth Challenge,” she said. “It’s joyful because I’ve found my community through my disability.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

One of Alexandra’s favorite parts of holding the Ms. Wheelchair Ohio title is inspiring young girls with disabilities to believe in themselves.

“I meet little girls all the time who see my crown and sash and want to know what it’s all about,” she said. “I tell them they can do this too. They can be whatever they want to be.”

She recalls one moment during a local parade that perfectly captured that spirit.

“I was wearing my yellow dress and crown, and I heard a little girl in the crowd say, ‘Is that Princess Tiana?’ It made my heart so full.”

At MobilityWorks, we’re proud to share stories like Alexandra’s that remind us that mobility takes many forms. Whether it’s through adaptive vehicles, mobility aids, or the art of dance, each path to movement helps people live more freely and confidently.

Through her advocacy, Alexandra is proving that mobility is not just about how you move. It’s about how you live, connect, and shine.