Miss You Can Do It 2013

Abbey Curran's early drive to defy limits

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two, Abbey Curran never accepted her physical limitations. She describes a lifelong resolve to pursue sports, drive a car with a modified wheel, and prove that disability does not define potential. This determination lays the groundwork for her later dream of competing publicly.

Curran aims to break barriers by competing in Miss USA

Curran's perseverance leads her to pursue the Miss USA Pageant, where she becomes the first woman with a disability to compete in 2008. The documentary frames this moment as a landmark for disabled athletes and pageant participants alike. It underscores resilience and the empowerment that comes from representation.

Miss You Can Do It pageant is founded to celebrate inner strengths

The film introduces Miss You Can Do It as a pageant Curran founded with a team of volunteers. It becomes a weekend oasis of fun, femininity, and celebration for girls with disabilities and their families. The event emphasizes celebrating who they are inside rather than what the world sees on the outside.

Tierney's anticipatory joy and SMA Type II

Tierney, age five, gleefully zips around in a powered wheelchair as she anticipates the pageant. Her mother explains Tierney has never walked and will progressively lose movement, highlighting the gradual nature of SMA type II. The scene captures the family's hopeful energy and the program's role in celebrating small milestones.

Natasha and Kenna's family strength and resilience

Natasha, 14, was born with cerebral palsy and experiences seizures, while her younger sister Kenna has an intellectual disability. Despite these challenges, the film presents them as a happy-go-lucky family, supported by parents who celebrate every achievement. The girls’ presence at the pageant underscores inclusion and shared joy.

Ali's balance work through therapy on a horse

Six-year-old Ali has spina bifida, which has paralyzed her lower body. The film shows her physical therapy sessions on a horse, a therapy that helps with balance and motor control. The scene highlights creative therapies enabling mobility and confidence.

Teyanna's home-raised independence and CP

Teyanna, a smart preteen with cerebral palsy, shows determination despite speech difficulty. Her mother recounts that a nurse suggested institutionalization, but they chose to raise her at home. The film presents Teyanna's creativity and resilience as central to the community's spirit.

Daleney's quest for independence and the challenge of coordination

Seven-year-old Daleney is a quadriplegic with a spastic form of cerebral palsy, leading to significant muscle tone and crossing of limbs midline while walking. Her parents describe a persistent frustration with independence, evidenced by a 15-minute struggle to tie her shoelaces. Yet she remains cheerful and engaged during the weekend.

Tiny Meg and Alina's family expansion and adoption

Tiny Meg is shy except around her brothers, and her parents adopt Alina from Ukraine to give Meg a sisterly connection. Both Meg and Alina have Down syndrome, weaving into the story of family love and inclusion. Their experiences illustrate the broad spectrum of disability celebrated by the pageant.

The pageant as a celebration of families and inner strength

Miss You Can Do It celebrates not just the girls, but the families who support them. Parents and families share how heartbreak at learning their child was different transformed into patient love and newfound appreciation for everyday joys. The pageant's philosophy is summarized by Curran and volunteer Jan Selman.

Curran's closing message: resilience and achievement

Curran articulates the pageant's philosophy, hoping the girls leave with the belief that they can rise above stares and setbacks. She states, 'we might fall down, or someone might stare at us, but I just did something amazing,' reinforcing a message of perseverance and pride.