The Courage to Compete

Living with Cerebral Palsy and Following My Dreams

By: Abbey Curran, Elizabeth Kaye

Narrated by: Abbey Curran

A remarkable memoir by Miss Iowa USA Abbey Curran about living with cerebral palsy, competing in Miss USA, and her inspiring work with young women who have disabilities.

Abbey Curran was born with cerebral palsy, but early on she resolved to never let it limit her. Abbey made history when she became the first contestant with a disability to win a major beauty pageant. After earning the title of Miss Iowa, she went on to compete in Miss USA.

Growing up on a hog farm in Illinois, Abbey competed in local pageants despite naysayers who told her not to. After realizing her own dream, she went on to help other disabled girls achieve their goals by starting Miss You Can Do It, a national nonprofit pageant for girls and women with special needs and challenges, which became the subject of an HBO documentary with the same name. This is Abbey’s story.

Miss You Can Do it

love this book. I love abbey. I love it then the author reads their own book!

primarily inspirational

As a student In nursing school, I listen to books by survivors of every type of disorder in order to gain insight into the patient's perspective. Abbey's story is fun and motivational but she doesnt go into great depths about her illness. Far more about the details of pageantry, which even though not an interest of mine was entertaining. I admire her attitude and work with disabled girls. And as always I appreciate someone willing to share their story.