Photo provided Heather Gillespie, shown in her home in Moundsville, has been named Ms. Wheelchair West Virginia. Her achievement is slated to be celebrated at the City Building on Friday.

MOUNDSVILLE – The city of Moundsville is honoring one of its residents for her extraordinary achievements and being an inspiration to others.

Moundsville City Council on Wednesday evening approved a resolution honoring resident Heather Gillespie for being named Ms. Wheelchair West Virginia 2026. Gillespie was not in attendance at the meeting, but a celebration of her accomplishment is being planned for Friday at the City Building.

“On Jan. 19, 1999 at age 19, Gillespie was a passenger in a vehicle being driven on Sally’s Backbone Road in Marshall County,” the resolution read. “The driver lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway and tumbled and slid nearly 80 yards before coming to a stop. Gillespie was trapped in the vehicle, and it was 5½ hours later that she arrived at the hospital. On Jan. 30, doctors told her family she had 24 hours to live. Gillespie’s injuries left her paralyzed. Yet she blew past the doctors’ diagnoses. Gillespie was told she would never have children, but today is the mother of three children. She engages with the community through public speaking appearances and inspires others who suffered spinal cord injuries through her active lifestyle.”

The Ms. Wheelchair America National Board on Jan. 20 named Gillespie as Ms. Wheelchair West Virginia 2026. It is the first time in the 54-year history of the national board that a West Virginia has received the honor.

The resolution also notes that Mayor Randy Chamberlain proclaims Jan. 30, 2026, at Heather Gillespie Day in the city of Moundsville.