More Than Beauty: Life as a Disabled Pageant Girl
Me with my family after my sister and I came off stage after competing at the Young European International Pageant.
Hi, and welcome to my blog! My name is Katie Donnelly, and I’m not your average pageant girl. Most people are surprised when they find out that I compete in beauty pageants because I don’t fit what they would consider the ‘typical pageant girl’ aesthetic.
When I was 18 months old, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and ever since, I have lived with a disability. Growing up, I didn’t see people like me represented — not on the screen or stage, nor in books or magazines, and definitely not as national (let alone international) titleholders. The absence of representation makes it difficult to feel like you can achieve the things that you dream about. It’s hard to picture writing a book, or getting a degree, or even having a successful career when you don’t see anyone like you doing those things. It makes you question whether there is a place for you in society.
I always knew that I wanted to change the way people viewed disabled people, but it wasn’t until I entered my first beauty pageant in 2018 that I knew I had found something that could help me achieve that. I also knew that stepping into an industry that is so often associated with unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection, where people like me were rarely seen, would be difficult.
I am familiar with the feeling of being ‘other’ — a feeling so many disabled people (and other minorities) will understand. Stepping out of my comfort zone into beauty pageants initially enhanced that feeling, but that was what gave me the motivation to show up because if I felt that way, then there must be others out there who felt that way too.
This space is for those people. The ones who have never felt like they fit into the box that society tries to force us into. Whether, like me, you’re living with a disability, chasing a dream that feels impossible, or you simply just want to feel like you can show up, authentically and unapologetically, yourself, this is for you, and I hope you’ll join me on this journey.
Here, I’ll be sharing my experiences in the sparkly world of pageantry, the beauties and challenges that come with navigating a life with a physical disability, and my quest to break down barriers and stereotypes one rhinestone at a time.
Despite what the media would lead you to believe, pageants are about so much more than beautiful gowns and looking pretty — they’re about building confidence, finding your voice, and advocating for what you believe in. Competing has taught me so much about myself and given me the platform to take up space!
I hope my story helps to start the change in the narrative, showing that being different is beautiful and that we should embrace those differences despite society trying so hard to make us hate them. My disability is a core part of who I am, and I refuse to be ashamed of it!
But this isn’t just about me. I want to create a community where people of all abilities, races, sexualities, genders, and religions can see themselves reflected. I hope it empowers you and gives you the confidence to pursue your dreams, believing you can achieve them.
If you’ve made it this far and are still here, I thank you. Your support and presence mean more than you know, and I can’t wait to tackle this together.
Stay tuned!
With love,
Katie
