The Miss Amazing Pageant: From Inclusion and Interaction to Socialization

by Robin Fohl

You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. – Henry David Thoreau

girl with trophyWhat a difference being included can make, and what a difference it made for my daughter.

When it comes to our children with special needs, we want them to enjoy their childhoods, we want them to be happy, and most of all, we want them to be accepted.

Coming from a mother of a child with special needs, it is extremely tough and sometimes heartbreaking when your child can’t do things that other children can do, or get to experience the fun that goes along with those things. It breaks my heart when I drive down the street in the summer time and see children playing ball on the ball field, kids pushing the merry-go-round, kids listening to the band play in the park, children riding their bikes down the street, or kids swimming in the neighborhood pool.

All the while, my daughter Saige sits in the back seat looking out at them stone-faced with her mouth wide open.

I do all I can to hold back the tears and wonder what is going through Saige’s mind.

My daughter was born with a extremely rare and incurable genetic condition called NKH, short for Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia, which hinders her ability to do many things that come easy to most children, such as playing ball, pushing a merry-go-round, riding a bike, or swimming in a pool. Saige is also non-verbal, which makes communication difficult.

There’s nothing a parent wants more than for his or her child to be able to interact and play with other children.

The Miss Amazing Pageant

child dressed as annie held by motherBut there is nothing out there, or so I thought, until I came across something called Miss Amazing. Miss Amazing is a pageant held each year for children and adults with special needs. How amazing is this! It was definitely something Saige could participate in. Not only could she be a part of something, but Saige could also have fun and make new friends.

A pageant is right down Saige’s alley. She loves clothes, she loves people, and most of all she loves to show how proud she is of herself even if she’s not perfect. I constantly tell Saige how proud I am of her. That in itself gives her the confidence she needs to keep trying, even though she still struggles.

In March 2019, Saige took part in her first Miss Amazing pageant held in our state of Pennsylvania. Saige got the opportunity to meet many people and make new friends. Saige was not just happy to attend — she was in heaven! The smiles coming from all the kids (and parents) lit up the room like sunshine. The weight on my shoulders lifted like an eagle’s wings in flight. Not only was this perfect for my daughter, it was also a magical experience for everyone, including me.

Speaking of magical, Saige will once again get the chance to participate in her second Pennsylvania’s Miss Amazing pageant this March. We are looking forward to meeting new people, making new friends, and having another magical experience.

The Importance of Inclusion, Interaction, and Socialization

girl holding the word proudBeing included, interacting, and socializing are not only important for a child with special needs, they are also important for any child. When you put all three of these together, children learn to communicate, develop friendships, build self esteem and confidence, gain strength and self worth, and most of all learn to accept other people and their differences. It definitely made a difference for Saige.

Unfortunately, we live in a judgmental world. We are judged by the way we live, dress, walk, talk, look, and the list goes on. It’s hard enough for an adult to be accepted for who they are, let alone a young child with special needs. This is why Miss Amazing was perfect for Saige. She was included, she interacted, and she socialized without being judged negatively. She was accepted even though she was different.

That’s why inclusion, interaction, and socialization are so important. Simply being included can make a difference in a child’s life. Children learn that not only is everyone different, but being different is OK, and it can also be lots of fun.

Life would be pretty boring if we were all the same. So let your children be themselves, and let them be different. They don’t need to change; they just need to be accepted for who they are, just as in the Miss Amazing pageant.

Author: Robin Fohl • Date: 2/18/2020

About the Author

Robin Fohl is a stay at home mom recently retired from 22 years of Physical Therapy home care. Being home now gives Robin more opportunity and time to look into activities for her daughter and get her and other children with disabilities involved. She is currently looking into and working on getting a ball team together for children with special needs. Her husband Kurt is a Delta Airlines Captain. They live in Milford, PA with their daughter Saige.

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