Down Syndrome Teen Defies The Odds – Wins 1 Astounding Award And Makes History
One young girl is breaking records and showing the world that you can do whatever you want with enough hard work, talent, and a whole lot of joy. Kayla Kosmalski is an 18-year-old who has taken her disability and turned it into a way to help others.
And she just made history – she was named Miss Congeniality at the Miss Delaware Teen USA as the first contestant with Down syndrome to compete. “I want to show the world that people with Down syndrome can do anything,” Kosmalski said. “The experience was amazing – and I loved to be on stage,” she said. Her platform for the pageant was to promote acceptance and inclusion for others with Down syndrome.
I want to show little girls that they can dream big,” Kosmalski said.
At the age of 5, the teen entered her first pageant. She said she loved it and wanted to do more. “I like to show my passion, my energy, my attitude,” she says. “I just love pageants!”
Kayla Kosmalski walks the runway at Miss Teen USA. Photo provided by Miss Teen Delaware
She was asked how she had prepared for Miss Teen USA. “I’ve been preparing my whole life,” Kosmalski said. “Countless hours of speech therapy and physical therapy, working hard to learn basic things that come natural to most.”
‘I’ve worked hard to prove to myself and the world that people with Down syndrome belong on every stage and every space,” she added. Kosmalski just graduated high school. She will be attending Wilmington University and plans to major in communications and will be a cheerleader for the school.
Her goals for the future, Kosmalski said, is to be an actress, activist and motivational speaker. She’s already working towards some of those goals now. She is an ambassador for Hearts of Joy International. The group helps fund life-saving heart surgery for babies with Down syndrome.
Kayla Kosmalski walks the runway at Miss Teen USA. Photo by Getty Images
Kosmalski has also helped lobby for several different laws, and has one named after her. “Kayla’s Law” empowers Americans with disabilities to have a way to gain financial independence. “This is only the beginning,” said Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, executive state director of the Miss Delaware USA and Miss Delaware Teen USA, and a former Miss Delaware USA herself. “She’s going to conquer the world. Look what she’s done already. I see such a bright future.”
Kosmalski said that she won’t let anything stop her from achieving her goals or helping others. “Because I love everything about myself,” she said, “I want to let everyone know to dream big, be brave, be strong, be yourself and keep shining brightly!”
Sources: Daily Mail | People
