Celebrate!

As the Miss America pageant took place tonight, the global autism community was cheering on Alexis Wineman, Miss Montana.

Alexis became one of the most popular contestants of the pageant. Not only was she named a finalist, she was also the youngest competitor at this year's pageant, winner of ABC's People's Choice award, and the first contestant in pageant history (to admit being) diagnosed with Autism, specifically PDD-NOS. (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified).

A miracle!
A vindication!
A winner!
A beauty!

Yet in all the excitement, my mind kept wandering to thoughts of her parents.

According to online articles, they were told their daughter was autistic 7 years ago, long before she ever entered a beauty pageant. 
They knew something was different about their child. 
They've heard the doctor's diagnosis. 
They've had to hold to console their child after she was bullied. 
They've had to endure melt-downs. 
They've had to deal with school concerns.
They've had their parenting questioned. 
They've had sleepless nights.
They've had to teach their child to exist in a non-Autistic world.
They're two parents doing the best they can for their family and their special needs child.
They aren't glossy or glamorous.
They've struggled.

They are "one of us"...

70 years ago, Alexis' parents would've been advised to put their autistic daughter in an institution. This evening, Alexis' parents saw their daughter in a tiara and the Miss America pageant!

I have a secret to tell you:

Tonight I celebrate Miss Montana, but I'm also celebrating her parents!




Sources:
http://www.abilitypath.org/love-laugh--live/family-fun/alexis-wineman-miss-montana-2012.html
http://www.missamerica.org/news/press-releases.aspx?id=625
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20664029,00.html
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/01/alexis-wiseman-miss-montana-first-autistic-miss-america-contestant/
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20130111/NEWS01/130111005/Miss-Montana-Alexis-Wineman-makes-history-first-Miss-America-contestant-autism