Lisa was born on March 20, 1963 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Not long after, Lisa was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, she has used a wheelchair to get around most of her life.
At the age of seven, Lisa began to attend Seagull School, a school for the disabled, she quit at age sixteen because she felt she was being taught as if because her legs "didn't work" her mind didn't work either.
In 1989, Lisa went back to school and received her General Education Diploma. This was also the year that Lisa met and married Ron Muscarella, whom she calls "her gift from God!"
In 1992, heeding the call into the ministry, she began The Timothy Plan, an intense training program designed to help young ministers see their calling more clearly and to develop their ministerial skills.
In 1994, Lisa attended Broward Community College for two semesters to study reading and voice maintaining a 4.0 average.
In March of 1994, Lisa received her Ministerial License through The Church of God and with the title Reverend.
In September of 1995, Lisa began The Ministerial Internship Program which concluded in May with a commissioning ceremony in Cleveland, Tennessee. The M.I.P. is a highly advanced training program of Biblical studies, working closely with a mentor Pastor in a "hands on" type of situation. It is an external studies program from Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Lisa is the founder and President of The "Holy Rollers" Handicap Ministry which is now on it's eighth year and is growing rapidly.
Lisa enjoys speaking to a group, she loves to sing, write poetry and uses her many talents to help others see their abilities not disabilities.
Lisa served on the Lauderhill Accessibility Advisory Committee for the disabled for two years. During that time she helped the city of Lauderhill complete an accessibility guide/directory for the disabled.
Lisa has also worked most of her life. She is now employed with Lewis & Clark Accounting Service, Inc. as an appointment setter.
Lisa has competed in the Miss Wheelchair Florida Pageant receiving several awards including Second Runner-up and First Place for Talent. She has also received many other awards as a Sunday School teacher and as a volunteer at St. Johns Rehabilitation Center.
Lisa is a full-time advocate for the disabled, she is always looking for ways to help others either through encouragement or whatever it takes to make someone's life easier.
Lisa will be competing for the title Ms. Wheelchair Florida 1996-97 on August 1-3, 1996 in Tampa, Florida. She is extremely excited about this years competition. Her slogan for the pageant is "Follow Your Dreams!" Her dream is to come home with the title and crown.
THANK YOU SPONSORS!!
1. Sawyer Brown
2. Ricky Skaggs
3. Kenny Rogers
4. Bill & Gloria Gaither
5. Michael W. Smith
6. The Sound
7. Phillips, Craig & Dean
8. Vanna White
9. Miami Heat
10. Miami Dolphins
11. Orlando Magic
12. Florida Panthers
13. Florida Marlins
14. Dallas Cowboys
15. Senator Matt Meadows
16. Mayor Ilene Lieberman
17. Commissioner Alice Reiter
18. Commissioner George Myles
19. Commissioner Tyson Jones
20. The Lauderhill Access Advisory Committee for the Disabled
21. Lucy Weldon - V.R. Counselor
22. Jorge A. Flores, M.D., F.A.C.C.
23. Home Care Medical Services
24. Prospect News
25. Sanphil Corm. - The Circus
26. Gowns to Go
27. Fanny Girls
28. Mr. Formal
29. Wal-Mart - Sunrise
30. KMart - Lauderhill
31. Eagles Fassion Club
32. Goodwill Industries
33. Family Thrift
34. Spanish River Community High School
35. Southern Sanitation
36. Instructor - Unlimited
37. Chii's Grill & Bar
38. Beverly Hills Cafe
39. Outback Steakhouse
40. Originator Corporation
41. Pat's Pawn & Jewelry
42. Palm Truck Center
43. Embassy Suites Hotel - Delray
44. F. Scott Fistel - Atty. at Law
45. Willie E. Gary - Atty. at Law
46. Lewis & Clark Accounting
47. Gary Depue & Associates
48. Reach Out Magazine
49. Dr. Michael Getty
50. Pompano Christian Bible Fellowship
51. Living Waters Church
52. Rev. & Sis. Dwight Allen
53. Rev. Robert Russell
54. Professor & Mrs. Rudolph Fazzini
55. Mr. & Mrs. Gene Basilici
56. Mr. Frank Spitz
57. Mr. Scott Watkins
58. Kenneth & Rose Teller
59. Mr. Phil Wilson
60. Mr. Sal Gucciardo
61. Polly Nixon
62. Donnie & Shirley Leonard
63. Brian & Maryann Eichelhart
64. Rosemary Muscarella
65. Kevin & Jolene Nuss
66. Kathy & Tammy Reed
67. Laurie Gutches
68. Naster Richie Otto
69. Nancy H. Smith
70. Mr. Calvin McCloud
71. Mitzi Weber
72. Mr. Eddie Gallagher
73. Mr. Andrew Murray
74. Mr. & Mrs. Tony Munez
75. Ronnie & Marry Muscarella
75. Mike & Evie Cowen
Editors Note: We at Reach Out wish Lisa the best of luck with the Pageant. We also wish all the contestants well, as we feel there are no losers. Every participant is a winner. At the least, the pageant helps to build self esteem & confidence. Participants will become more aware of disabled issues in other communities and share ideas. And hopefully have fun. For more information on the Pageant, please call: Nelda Kampf at (813)-963-6596.
Copyright © 1996 Reach Out Magazine
Publisher, Jim Jakubek