Mother-of-two, who spent 11-years in wheelchair, crowned Ms America

A woman in the US, who has overcome numerous obstacles, like being wheelchair bound for 11-years, has now been crowned Ms America 2011.

Tracy Broughton, 36, who has been paralysed and wheelchair-bound twice, has raised twin boys as a single mother while also modelling, working with charities and running a legal aid business.

She wore a 35,000-dollar headpiece on the runway at the Doubletree Hotel in Anaheim, California, after being unveiled as Ms America 2011, claiming the title from a group of 26 participants from 14 states.

Broughton, from Ladera Ranch in Orange County, used a crutch on the runway as she continues her recovery from a 1996 hit-and-run that left her in a wheelchair for 11 years.

"I was able to overcome my disability through a combination of experimental therapy, faith and perseverance," the Daily Mail quoted her as telling the Orange County Register.

As well as being named Ms America 2011, Broughton received a 3,500-dollar replica version of her crown and will spend the next 12 months promoting disability rights.

A big sister of sorts to the Miss America pageant, entrants in the Ms America competition are all 26 and above and have no restrictions on their marital status.

The pageant's mission statement is to "empower women across the nation and around the world".