Miss You Can Do It 2013

This documentary centers on Abbey Curran, a determined advocate whose life shifted when she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two. Curran refuses to let her disability define her, embracing sports, slipping behind the wheel with a specialized steering setup, and pushing through every obstacle with unwavering optimism. Notably, she became the first woman with disabilities to compete in the Miss USA Pageant in 2008, turning personal grit into a public platform for empowerment.

The film shines a light on the pageant she founded, Miss You Can Do It, and the team of enthusiastic volunteers who bring it to life. It chronicles a transformative weekend where the young participants, their families, and friends come together for an oasis of fun, femininity, and celebration. The event is designed to affirm that these girls are valued for who they are inside, not just how they appear on the outside. Each contestant leaves with a special award, ensuring that no one goes home empty-handed, while the real triumph belongs to the families and friends who cheer them on from the audience.

Among the girls and families profiled are:

• Tierney, five years old, zipping around in a powered wheelchair and living with spinal muscular atrophy type II. She has never walked and will progressively lose movement in her body, yet her spirit shines throughout the weekend.

• Natasha, fourteen, born with cerebral palsy and prone to seizures, alongside her younger sister Kenna, who has intellectual disabilities. The two are described by their proud parents as part of a happy-go-lucky family.

• Ali, six, born with spina bifida, who uses therapy on a horse to help with balance and enjoys the chance to celebrate her abilities during the pageant.

• Teyanna, a smart preteen with cerebral palsy who faces speech difficulties, yet contributes creatively and energetically to the pageant experience.

• Daleney, seven, a quadriplegic with a spastic form of cerebral palsy, whose biggest frustration is independence—though she demonstrates daily patience and determination, even taking time to tie her shoelaces.

• Tiny Meg, a shy girl who shines in the presence of her brothers, and whose family has welcomed Alina, a Ukrainian girl with Down syndrome, into their home as Meg’s sister.

Miss You Can Do It stands as a tribute to the courage and resilience of these families, who openly share how the initial heartbreak of a child’s difference gradually gave way to steadfast love, patience, and a new appreciation for both the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. The film frames Curran’s mission not as focusing on what’s “wrong” with the girls, but on celebrating what’s right with them and the communities that support them.

I hope that my Miss You Can Do It girls leave this pageant knowing that, okay, we might fall down, or someone might stare at us, but I just did something amazing. Something that not very many people get to experience.

The documentary is crafted by Ron Davis, who directs and produces the film, with Clay Westervelt and Julie Anderson as producers; Geof Bartz, A.C.E., as editor; and directors of photography Clay Westervelt and Arlene Nelson. The original music is by Joel Goodman, with HBO involvement from supervising producer John Hoffman and executive producer Sheila Nevins.