Oklahoma’s current Miss Amazing Queen, Lindsey Spoon, is set to participate in the national competition, carrying a crucial message about mental health.
The Miss Amazing Pageant is a nationwide program dedicated to enriching the lives of women with disabilities and boosting their self-esteem. As July marks Disability Pride Month, Spoon aims to leverage this opportunity to share her message on a broader platform.
Already an advocate, YouTuber, and Oklahoma’s Miss Amazing Queen for the 25-27 age group, Spoon plans to tell her most challenging story at the national competition. Last year, she faced a personal crisis, coming close to ending her own life.
“I mean 17.4 million adults with disabilities struggle with mental health issues,” Spoon stated. “It’s not widely talked about. Here in the state of Oklahoma, there are no inpatient care facilities that will take someone who uses a wheelchair.”
When Lindsey sought help, she discovered that no inpatient mental health care facilities in Oklahoma could accommodate individuals who use wheelchairs.
“Just because we have a physical ailment that we can’t take care of our daily living needs, primarily, doesn’t mean that we don’t need inpatient care,” she emphasized.
During this period, Lindsey faced significant challenges in securing an appointment with a mental health provider and often felt dismissed.
With the persistent efforts of Lindsey and her family, she now has a treatment plan in place and is collaborating with experts to make mental health care more accessible.
This competition and her journey are pivotal for Lindsey. She hopes that her message on a national stage will shed light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by individuals like her.
“Being able to share what I’ve gone through has really been able to make an impact and will continue to make an impact, and for that, I am extremely grateful,” she expressed.
The Miss Amazing Queen will be crowned on Sunday, and Lindsey hopes to win the title and continue her advocacy for mental health accessibility in Oklahoma.
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