WRIGGLESWORTH ADDED TO MDA NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP

TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 5, 2001 - Angela Wrigglesworth of Houston has been selected to join the Muscular Dystrophy Association's National Task Force on Public Awareness for 2001.

Wrigglesworth, 23, joins 12 other members of the Task Force, an advisory body composed of adults from across the country who serve as volunteer consultants to MDA, particularly on issues of interest to people with disabilities. Task Force members, all of whom are affected by neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program, are leaders in their communities and achievers in fields such as education, communication, law and business.

Wrigglesworth teaches third grade in the Houston area, and graduated in 1999 from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Throughout her life, Wrigglesworth has been an advocate for people with disabilities, has achieved many leadership positions and has served the community through many volunteer efforts.

"We're delighted and proud that Angela Wrigglesworth has agreed to assist MDA by bringing her knowledge and perspective to the National Task Force," MDA Senior Vice President and Executive Director Robert Ross said. "Her experience as an effective advocate for people with disabilities, coupled with her long-standing dedication to MDA, will make her a valuable addition to this important MDA leadership group."

As a college student, Wrigglesworth was involved with the Parking and Transit Student Advisory Board, student government, other campus committees and organizations, and several community-based charities. She was the first young woman using a wheelchair to attend sorority rush on campus; as a result, all sorority houses on the Texas A&M campus have wheelchair ramps.

Earlier, Wrigglesworth was also a trailblazer at Klein Forest High School in Houston, becoming the first student with a disability to serve as junior class president and senior class treasurer.

Wrigglesworth has also dedicated much of her time to MDA since her childhood. She's appeared on local broadcasts of the MDA Labor Day Telethon since age 6, and has personally raised more than $40,000 for the Association.

She served as the Texas MDA Goodwill Ambassador in 1985 and 1986, and has attended MDA summer camps, first as a camper and then as a counselor, since she was 5. In 1997, Wrigglesworth received MDA's Personal Achievement Award for Texas for her achievements. She attends many MDA events and often speaks on behalf of the Association.

Wrigglesworth is affected by spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive motor neuron disorder that causes weakness in the arms, legs, and upper and lower torso. She uses a power wheelchair for mobility.

MDA's Task Force on Public Awareness was organized to promote the goals and programs of the Association and to provide MDA with feedback relating to the needs of those it serves. The national group and its local counterparts advise the Association on matters of importance to people with disabilities such as medical care, insurance, independent living, personal assistance services and pertinent legislation.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.  The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.