Eighteen year old Alexis Wineman from Montana made Miss America history in the recent pageant by being the first contestant with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to participant, and the first contestant with ASD to win the title of Miss Montana.
Since becoming Miss Montana, Wineman has spread Autism and Special Needs awareness through out that state, and took that story with here to the national competition:
“I became an advocate for the special needs community,” said Wineman who was diagnosed with autism at age 11 and is using her position as Miss Montana to increase awareness of the developmental disorder. “I showed that you can become something great if you work hard to get there.”
Wineman is a true inspiration, and a stellar role model for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities, or Special Needs. In a world where having a disability or a mental illness is shied away from because being different is frowned upon, she shows that these things do not need to hold you back. Although she wasn’t crowned Miss America, Wineman did made it to the semifinals, and won the popular online vote to win the title of “America’s Choice” in the competition. Congratulations to Ms. Wineman!
Written By Georgianna Reilly, LMSW
SJS Staff Writer
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