Advocacy is important to me, because I want the next generation to grow up in a more accepting, more accessible, more compassionate, and more loving environment than my generation did.  And I want people to see those with differences as someone unique and special rather than as someone who has something “wrong” with them, because we can lead full and rich lives even within our limitations.

 I choose to not let my skin disorder hold me back.  I dance.  I love doing musical theatre.  I travel.  I share my story whenever and wherever I can -- like Allure magazine, in a documentary, and Dr. Oz!  And I will be marrying the love of my life this fall and hopefully start a family soon after that.

I’m proud of how I’ve been able to use my growing confidence over my lifetime to inspire others, both within my skin disorder community and beyond.  I’m also proud of myself for competing in beauty pageants and actually winning the state title and finishing in the top 5 at nationals!

I would like to see more compassion, empathy, and kindness; people taking the time to understand each other rather than jumping to conclusions; and people walking in another’s shoes to look at situations from their perspective.