A lot of doors have opened for Danielle Sheypuk since she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York in April 2012 and finished second runner-up at the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant in July.
The Jermyn native is getting attention as an advocate for dating and sex for people in wheelchairs.
"I knew it was a combination that could open doors, said Ms. Sheypuk, 35, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 3.
She hired a publicist, has worked on podcasts and published articles, even filming a "sizzle reel" for a reality TV show she's pitching to networks. It focuses on her and three able-bodied friends as they compare dating experiences.
"It's like 'Sex and the City,' but following someone with a disability," she said. "This is the best way to normalize it - through TV. People are really interested. I hope it gets picked up."
When she's not working on her reality show aspirations, Ms. Sheypuk keeps busy with activities and initiatives to help empower disabled individuals to explore dating and sexuality.
She spoke at the Reelabilities New York Disabilities Film Festival in Manhattan in March and was featured on the cover of Directions, a publication by Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Ms. Sheypuk appeared in the Yahoo! Shine series, "Secrets to Your Success."
After graduating from Marywood University in 2000 with a degree in psychology and receiving a doctorate from the New School, she moved to Manhattan, where she works at an outpatient clinic counseling the mentally ill and disabled about dating. She also started a private practice.
"I feel like I can't keep up," she said.
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