Karol’s Reviews > The Courage to Compete: Living with Cerebral Palsy and Following My Dreams – An Inspiring Story About Making History and Helping Girls with Disabilities > Status Update

Working really hard before the Miss Iowa Pageant.

‘ “Hold on. Let me buckle up before we head out to dream world.” That was a joke, but it hurt my feelings. But then that was how a lot of people reacted when I talked about my dreams. It just made me try harder. ‘

Miss American 1975, Shirley Cothran Barret made Abbey’s heart sing when she agreed to be a judge at the Miss You Can Do It pageant.

Abbey appears to be pushed by pride, stubbornness, and HEART.

The influence of Mary Kay — cosmetics entrepreneur.

The Miss You Can Do It Pageant is born!
The national nonprofit pageant for girls and women with special needs and challenges.

A pageant girl is born 😁 👑

One for the books of great examples, Abbey’s parents divorced when she was in the third grade. They remained friendly co-parents. Lived separately but stayed true to caring for their daughter. To Abbey, it was a flawless transition for the most part.
School kids are accepting and nice. High school teens, not.

Abbey, the only child of a hog farmer and nurse, received a great foundation in love and support. Early childhood memories of her physical difference were noted and her adaptability to embrace joy where it mattered most at the time.