Worth Sharing

WS

Stories That Matter

# Heroes

First-Ever Disabled Miss USA Contestant Inspires Young Girls

avatar By Jeanne Goddard

30 Jun 2013 38 views
Size Print
Email
First-Ever Disabled Miss USA Contestant Inspires Young Girls
When Abbey Curran first saw a flyer for a local beauty pageant, she was 16 and walked with a pronounced limp due to cerebral palsy. Despite classmates who dismissed her chances of winning, she was determined to compete. In 2008, Abbey was crowned Miss Iowa and became the first disabled person ever to compete for the title of Miss USA.

When Abbey Curran first saw a flyer for a local beauty pageant, she was 16 and walked with a pronounced limp due to cerebral palsy. Despite classmates who dismissed her chances of winning, she was determined to compete.

In 2008, Abbey was crowned Miss Iowa and became the first disabled person ever to compete for the title of Miss USA.

She says she broke the glass ceiling so it would be normal for girls who seem different to be counted among beauty pageant contestants.

In fact, just recently, Nicole Kelly, who was born without her left forearm, was crowned Miss Iowa. As a result, the 23-year-old will find herself competing at the Miss America pageant in September in Atlantic City, N.J.

(WATCH the video below)

Tags:
avatar

About author

More posts

# Heroes

Children's Paintings Sold to Support School Arts Programs

In the hard-hit city of Philadelphia, a former art curator Barbara Chandler Allen was disgusted by cutbacks to arts funding for students, especially because it so disadvantages the poorest schools where kids are most in need of positive outlets. Lucky for the kids, Barbara stumbled onto a big idea after enlarging some of their art and realizing it was in high demand for the walls in office buildings.

# Heroes

Japanese Man, 80, Becomes Oldest to Ever Top Everest

Not only did a Japanese man become the oldest climber to read the summit of Mount Everest today, but he did it after undergoing four different heart surgeries, the most recent one in January. 80 year-old Yuichiro Miura said This is the world's best feeling.

# Heroes

President Obama Celebrates Top Cops

President Obama welcomed to the White House Saturday the winners of the TOP COPS award for law enforcement who have shown extraordinary bravery and valor in the line of duty, including Lieutenant Brian Murphy, who was the first officer on the scene in response to the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin last year.

You might be interested in

Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Recent Stories
  • A Heartfelt Reminder to Appreciate the Ones We Love
    05 Sep 106 Views
  • Cherish the Woman Who Stands by You
    05 Sep 85 Views
  • Breaking Generational Cycles of Pain
    05 Sep 78 Views
  • Living by Your Own Values, Not Others' Approval
    05 Sep 91 Views
  • When Life Brings Rain, It’s Okay to Rest
    05 Sep 495 Views
  • Before You Judge Someone's Life, Take a Moment to Walk in Their Shoes.
    05 Sep 207 Views