Accepted: State Finalist to the ER

A few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon, my mom pulled into the driveway and I went to ask her a question. Before I could even ask, she said, "We got a call from National America Miss and you are a state finalist."
I smiled and then mom said, "What is happening with your face?"
You see, my smile was very crooked and even though it didn't hurt, my face was not working right. Mom started poking and running a pencil over my cheeks and asking me a ton of questions. By dinner time I was on my way to the emergency room. Apparently not many children get paralysis of the face.  After several hours and a few different doctors poking and prodding and making me blink (only one eye was shutting.), the diagnosis was Bell's Palsy caused by an ear infection.
Isn't it lovely?

Me and Mom hangin' out at laser tag

At first I thought, why me? But with help from my mom, my family and my friends, I began to accept that no matter what happened it would be okay. I became very grateful for true beauty which has almost nothing to do with whether or not my face was working properly. True beauty came from being loved and loving people in return. I love laughing with my friends, even if I covered my mouth.

My friend, Morgan, showed true beauty when she helped me decide to go ahead with the NAM pageant, no matter what. My friend, Kaylee, showed her true beauty in helping me put eyedrops in at school a couple of times a day for weeks.

The good news is that I am getting better faster than anyone thought possible:) Fingers crossed for 100% smile power by July 10, 2015.