VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- Abbeville native Justina Plowden represented Louisiana last month at the Miss Wheelchair America competition in Michigan. She says it was an experience she'll never forget.

"It was impactful, it's something that's going to be a part of my life forever," Plowden said.

Plowden lost her ability to walk in October 2011 after her spinal cord was ruptured in a car accident. In the years after, Plowden created the nonprofit organization, We Matter, which focuses on making policy changes to ensure that caregivers and members of the disability community get all the necessary resources they need to live a fulfilling quality of life.

She learned about Miss Wheelchair in 2014. However, it wasn't until last year that she decided to compete. After months of interviews, Plowden was named Miss Wheelchair Louisiana in November and was crowned in January.

Plowden said being able to represent Louisiana at the competition in Michigan is a dream come true. Her favorite part of the experience, she said, was meeting other women who have gone through similar challenges.

"We were able to kind of just break down each other in the emotional and personal way. We didn't look at each other as competitors, more so as people who have survived the mental things that want to make a change for the better," Plowden said.

Although she did not win the competition in Michigan, Plowden said she plans to continue to advocate for more accessible transportation for people with disabilities.

Her advice to the next Miss Wheelchair Louisiana is to learn everything they can about making state laws better.

"I would like for the next Miss Wheelchair Louisiana to learn as much as they can about all of our laws, our policies, what we advocate for, things that matter to them, go out in the community, ask to join groups, speak about it, be as confident as you are," she said.

Plowden is a law school student at South University and is set to graduate this month.

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