A Girl Beats All Odds To Become First Ever Beauty Queen With Down Syndrome

Aug 24, 2018 by apost team

When she was born, the doctors believe that she would never be able to speak or read like other children. Kate Grant was only a baby when doctors dismissed a sparkling future as impossible. Now, Kate is 19 years old and has become the first model in the world to win an international beauty pageant with Down syndrome. 

Recently, the young woman competed at the Teen Ultimate Beauty of the World competition in Portadown, Northern Ireland. To her surprise, she ended up winning the entire competition. This particular pageant was designed to celebrate diversity, so it was open to anyone. Unlike other pageants, it did not have height, weight or marital requirements.

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Contestants competed in one of three categories. There was one category each for children, teenagers and individuals over the age of 20. In total, there were 40 contestants from across the world who came to the pageant. At the event, Kate represented her native Northern Island.

This exceptional young woman began dreaming of a career in modeling when she was only 13 years old. Her mother, Deirdre, did everything she could to help her daughter live out her dreams. She sent countless photographs to modeling agencies, but Kate struggled to get any work.

While the agencies never told her why they did not hire her, Kate knew in her heart that it was because of her Down syndrome diagnosis.

Kate's entire life changed right before high school prom. Like many proud mothers, Deirdre took a picture of her daughter in her prom dress. By some twist of fate, the pageant director, Taylor-Rae Hamilton, saw the photo. Hamilton immediately invited Kate to be a part of the Teen Ultimate Beauty of the World pageant.

To everyone's surprise and happiness, Kate ended up winning the competition. As she went on stage to make her acceptance speech, her mother remembered the work that brought the pair to this special moment. At birth, Kate's doctors had said that she would never be able to read. They believed that Kate would barely learn to speak. Instead of the expected outcome, Kate grew up to confidently take part in a beauty pageant. From the audience, Deidre listened to a confident, articulate acceptance speech about how Kate hoped for a more inclusive world.

Kate now hopes that her example will inspire other people to treat everyone like equals. For new generations of people with special needs, she hopes that they understand that true beauty is about who you are and not how you look.

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