I adopted my daughter, Kelsey, from a Russian orphanage when she was 14 months old. I knew she had special needs when I adopted her and a couple of years later, she received the diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) which is on the autism spectrum. We have not allowed that diagnosis to hinder her life options and subsequent achievements. She is currently a 4th grade special education student at the local elementary school. In addition, she is a member of a regional swim team and cheerleading show team. She has also taken dance and gymnastics classes since she was two years old.
Last weekend, she was crowned as the 2nd alternate in her age division at the AGG 2014 Christmas National Pageant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The large full-glitz national pageant had over 120 girls (11 in her age division) competing from throughout the country. This is a HUGE accomplishment for her. This was her first experience on a national pageant stage in front of several hundred people and certainly will not be her last. The journey to this national pageant started three months ago, when Kelsey decided she wanted to participate in pageants. Since then, she has spent her weekends competing in 10 pageants, almost always as the only contestant with special needs. Amazingly, she has won eight pageant titles and raised over $1,500 dollars to support organizations like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Shriners Children's Hospitals and the Empty Stocking Fund. Kelsey wants to continue to compete in pageants and help others in the process. Someday, she says she wants to start her own charitable foundation that can help children and families who need assistance. My beautiful daughter has a kind heart and big dreams. I am proud to be her mother.
Bonaire, GA
