Allie Reid can remember the moment she became best friends with Shanae Heard.
"She said, 'Hey, do you want to go to Atlanta,'" Reid said. "I thought, 'Why not go on this trip and see what comes of it,' and wham-bam--we were best friends."
Reid said she was struck by Heard's independent spirit and wanted to help her, even though Heard's wheelchair wouldn't easily fit in the car.
"She took tires off because it would not fit in her car," Heard, Auburn resident and psychology major at Troy University, said. "We laugh about it now."
Heard's determination developed early and carried her through the challenges that came with her cerebral palsy diagnosis at age 3.
Part of her education included physical therapy during school.
"I felt like I was being singled out because I was always being pulled out of class," Heard said. "At that point, when I got in the school system, people thought, 'Oh, she'll just get a certificate. She won't really get a diploma,' and I wanted to prove people wrong."
Heard graduated from Auburn High School in 2007 and will graduate from Southern Union in May.
She has continued to challenge the odds and picked up CrossFit training in September.
"I just try to do things that most people wouldn't dream that most people with disabilities would do," Heard said.
Reid nominated Heard in the National Mobility Equipment Dealership Association Local Hero Contest in March. Winning contestants are awarded with a handicap accessible van in May.
"I'm taking for granted the fact that I can hop in my car and go wherever I want," Reid said.
Heard's friends and family have started a social media campaign to drum up votes for the contest. Auburn football players Philip Lutzenkirchen and Wes Byrum have supported the effort by voting and tweeting.
"What we see as a 30 second walk outside is a ten to 15-minute process for her," said Chris Horn, junior in psychology. "We really need to work together as a community to give her that opportunity because otherwise she might not get it."
Heard takes public transportation on the LRPT (Lee-Russell Public Transit) bus system, but said the bus is frequently late and bus drivers are not properly trained to secure wheelchairs. Also, according to Heard, public transportation is also expensive, at $15 for 10 round-trip rides or $2 per one-way ticket.
Ultimately, Heard's goal is to give back to Auburn.
"If I don't have transportation, it's kind of hard to get out in the community and volunteer," Heard said. "If I win the van, it will be a life-changer because I'll be able to help other people in the process. That's always been my life goal. At the end of the day, I just want to help someone else."
In addition to volunteering, Heard said she would be able to go to college on Troy's campus and get a job.
Heard's mother, Tonja Holmes, said finding transportation for her daughter has been difficult.
"You have to know that the Lord's not going to put you through no more than you can bear," Holmes said. "This would be a blessing. It would change her world."
Votes can be cast daily at http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/shanae-heard-auburn-al/ through May 9, and a voting tutorial can be found at https://www.facebook.com/VoteForShanaeHeard .
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