The first autistic Miss America contestant will compete in the pageant this weekend in Las Vegas. Miss Montana, Alexis Wiseman, was diagnosed with the disorder at age 11. Not only will she be the first autistic contestant to ever compete, she is also this year's youngest. On Jan. 11, ABC News reported that Wiseman credits her family for giving her the strength and courage to go after her dreams and achieve her goals despite her diagnosis.
"The girl you’re seeing right now is not the girl you would have seen 10 years ago. I have overcame a lot. I have overcome so many of my symptoms," Wiseman said.
The autistic Miss America contestant is excited to take the stage this weekend and she isn't letting her autism get in the way. She says that just being in Las Vegas and participating in all of the activities with the other girls is amazing. "It just really kind of hit me that, holy, holy crap, I’m at Miss America," she said.
The pageant has been taking place for 92 years and Wiseman will certainly make history when she is introduced to the world as Miss Montana. People will be watching her every step of the way and letting her set an example to others who may feel held back because of a disease, mental illness, or other disorder.
The autistic Miss America contestant will join 51 other women on Saturday night at 9 p.m. EST.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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