Miss You Can Do It (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Abbey Curran founded Miss You Can Do It in 2004 to create a space where girls with physical and intellectual disabilities could celebrate their inner beauty and abilities. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two and becoming the first woman with a disability to compete in the Miss USA Pageant in 2008, she wanted to give these girls an experience that focused on what they could do, not on what society perceived as their limitations. The pageant ensures every contestant receives a special award, so no one leaves empty-handed.

• abbey curran
• miss you can do it
• pageant founder
• disability advocacy

Abbey Curran's participation in the Miss USA Pageant in 2008 was historically significant because she became the first woman with a disability to compete in the pageant. This milestone demonstrated that women with disabilities could participate in mainstream beauty pageants and served as a powerful representation for disabled athletes and contestants. Her visibility turned her personal grit into a public platform for empowerment.

• abbey curran
• miss usa 2008
• first disabled contestant
• representation

Tierney is five years old and lives with spinal muscular atrophy type II, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. She has never walked and relies on a powered wheelchair for mobility. Her family knows that she will progressively lose movement in her body as the condition advances, making moments like participating in the pageant especially meaningful celebrations of her current abilities and spirit.

• tierney
• spinal muscular atrophy type II
• SMA
• wheelchair

Ali was born with spina bifida, which paralyzed her lower body. The documentary shows her participating in hippotherapy, a form of physical therapy on horseback that helps improve balance and motor control. The rhythmic movement of the horse engages muscles and coordination in ways traditional therapy cannot, giving Ali confidence and physical benefits while also preparing her for the pageant.

• ali
• spina bifida
• hippotherapy
• horse therapy
• physical therapy

Teyanna's mother recountd that when Teyanna was born with cerebral palsy, a nurse suggested institutionalization as an option. However, her family chose to raise her at home, embracing her intelligence and creativity despite her speech difficulties. The documentary showcases Teyanna's energetic and creative contributions to the pageant, demonstrating how her family's decision to keep her home allowed her to thrive and become a central part of the community.

• teyanna
• cerebral palsy
• family
• home care
• institutionalization

Daleney is seven years old and is a quadriplegic with spastic cerebral palsy, which causes significant muscle tone and makes her limbs cross midline when she attempts to walk. Her biggest frustration is achieving independence, as demonstrated when she spent fifteen minutes struggling to tie her shoelaces. Despite these challenges, she remains cheerful and determined throughout the pageant weekend, showing remarkable patience and resilience.

• daleney
• quadriplegic
• cerebral palsy
• independence
• spastic

Tiny Meg is a shy girl who shines around her brothers, and her family wanted to give her a sisterly connection. They adopted Alina from Ukraine, who has Down syndrome, to be Meg's sister. Both girls share the same condition, and their story illustrates how the pageant celebrates the broad spectrum of disability while highlighting family love and inclusion.

• tiny meg
• alina
• down syndrome
• adoption
• ukraine
• sisters

Unlike traditional pageants that focus primarily on appearance and talent competitions, Miss You Can Do It is designed specifically for girls with physical and intellectual disabilities. Every contestant receives a special award, ensuring no one goes home empty-handed. The event emphasizes celebrating inner beauty and abilities rather than just physical appearance, creating an oasis of fun, femininity, and celebration where participants are valued for who they are inside.

• pageant differences
• inner beauty
• abilities
• inclusion
• awards

Abbey Curran hopes the girls leave the pageant knowing that despite potential setbacks and people who may stare, they have done something amazing that most people never get to experience. She wants them to understand that falling down is okay, but what matters is that they participated and achieved something remarkable. The documentary closes with her stating this philosophy: celebrating resilience, perseverance, and pride in one's accomplishments.

• abbey curran message
• resilience
• perseverance
• empowerment
• pride

The families profiled in the documentary share how the initial heartbreak of learning their child was different gradually transformed into steadfast love, patience, and a new appreciation for both the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. The pageant becomes a celebration not just of the girls, but of the families who support them, providing a space where parents and siblings can celebrate achievements together and feel part of a supportive community.

• families
• love
• support
• challenges
• joy
• special needs