A Texas teen was told she couldn’t enter beauty pageants because of a diagnosis of autism and a seizure disorder. But she doesn’t let that stop her from pursuing her childhood dream.
Although it was her first time competing, and with her service dog by her side, Alison Appleby impressed the judges and currently holds the title of Miss Texas Teen 2022.
Ever since Alison was a child, she dreamed of competing in beauty pageants. But she didn’t think that could happen to someone like her.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a beauty pageant girl, but it seems I never did. The judges didn’t let my disability change the way they saw me – they judged me as a person,” she said.
The seventeen-year-old girl was diagnosed with epilepsy, or seizure disorder, just two years ago. While she was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, her epilepsy was confused with anxiety and other things for 16 years.
There are different types of seizures, and not all of them involve motor symptoms. Allison experience her seizures are focal or absent, so she’s essentially “gazing into space”. Brady, her service dog during training, assists by alerting her to impending seizures. He is also learning how to get her medicine.
When a judge was interviewed, she explained that it was Alison’s interview that earned her the crown.
“Alison really won the entire contest in the interview. She was really amazing – the way she spoke, she was very intelligent, very communicative with our judges. She’s just a worldwide phenomenal woman. ” – Director of the Miss Dallas pageant, Jennifer Ortiz.
At the crowning ceremony, both Alison and Brady were presented with beautiful tiaras. Brady isn’t really a fan of wearing it on his head, though.
Alison was in complete shock when she won, and her victory didn’t really come to her until days later. She joined with the purpose of having fun and advocating for other girls with disabilities. She didn’t really expect to win. After all, this was her first competition, and she was extremely nervous.
“I was so scared…but having Brady by my side made it so much easier. He was my support throughout it all,” Alison said.
But now wearing the crown, Alison hopes to inspire other people with disabilities to do their best and reach for their dreams. In her interview, she explained that just because she has a chronic illness, doesn’t mean she has a chronic illness.
Featured pictures: Instagram
