Princess Smiles-a-lot!

2nd Annual Alabama Angels Pageant

     The 2nd Annual Alabama Angels Pageant has come and gone!  I am sure that there were many participants that did not or could not participate in last years festivities, Kerstin included.  This year was different.  I mentioned on the Alabama Angels Pageant Facebook page months ago that Kerstin would not miss the event this year.  There would be no more hospital stays that would keep her from Hunter Hills Church! 

     You see, at the time of the pageant in 2013 Kerstin was just coming off of her 2 hospitals stay after two separate surgeries one month apart. The first being a bi-lateral triple arthodesis on both feet and the second was to have her g-tube placed.  However, pageant directors came to our home to present Kerstin with her crown, sash and goody bag!  Her day was beautiful all the same just not the full experience with all the bells and whistles. 

     The Friday before the pageant was a day of prepping and pampering for Kerstin.  Hair, nails...somewhat of an in home spa day for Princess Smiles-a-lot!  The excitement was brewing in Kerstin, I could see it all over her face.  She was so excited that she woke up Saturday morning around 4:45 a.m.  YES!  I went ahead and checked all of bags to make sure we had everything.  

     Upon arriving, the carriage rides were in full effect.  The decorations were so beautiful.  Volunteers were on hand to greet everyone, opening doors, just so much kindness.  There were booths set up to provide valuable information to the families as well.  We checked in and was assigned Kerstin's Guardian Angel.  I will tell you, I know we had the best one in the building!  

     The angels were so beautiful!  This day was a day they had the opportunity to shine and were included.  They sang, danced and told jokes...like my little lady did with her Dynavox.  

Here's how the day went...

Dressed, belly full, now it's time to prep!

Actually smiling while I'm doing her hair!

Director, Renee Lantz

Pageant Team Leaders/Coordinators

Getting ready to go on stage...her cousins at her side.

Look mommy..I have on a little lipstick!

Her name in lights!

Little jokester is coming on stage...

Kerstin with her Guardian Angel, Carol and emcee, Chris Britton

Telling her jokes with assistance!

Angels and military excorts!

Crowns and sashes..

Crowned!

A goody bag too...

The day is done...dreaming about the next one!

50 Shades of Hello!

SPEAK!  I will respond... 

      When you are out and about and see a person with a disability do you assume that because they look a little different, they use a wheelchair, they are non-verbal or are blind, they are not worth the effort of a simple "hey"?  Do you stare? Does your children stare?  Do you tell them that it is okay to speak to that person?  Do you speak yourself? When you see a person with special needs, do you see the person or the disability? 

     You know there's a saying that a smile can brightens someone's day?  A simple hello can do the same.  I often think about a song from "Yo Gabba Gabba" that says something like "no one wants to be left out, everyone wants to be included..."  That is so very true!  That is also the case for families, work, school, and community.  No one wants to be left out, or treated like they don't exist. 

     I believe that children reflect their home surroundings before anything or any other influence.  Personalities come early!  I try to speak to everyone I come into contact with.  Verbal or just a head nod or smile.  It could possibly be what someone is needing at that time.  

     Speak to Kerstin, she acknowledges everyone she comes into contact with.  She has not hearing or vision problems.  Ask her her name...we're working on getting her to hold a conversation with her Dynavox, until then, "Mommy" will tell you for her!  Talk to her! She looks UP for yes, she looks away for no and sometimes manages to verbalize or shake her head no.  Speak to her if nothing else.  She is a person too. 

     Hey, Hi, Hello, Hola, Ni hao, Bonjour, How's it going? or a simple kiss on the hand.  My 1 year old niece is adament about kissing Kerstin's hand every single time she sees her.  Now that she is talking she comes over and is speaking to Kerstin before she walks into our home, she makes her way to Kerstin and kisses her hand.  

     She seems to know that Kerstin can't verbally speak to her, but the smile says it all without a word being uttered.  It's love! It's an act of kindness.  Tell others, disability does NOT matter!  It's okay to say "Hi"!


 "A person's a person, no matter how small." ~Dr. Suess