Arthritis Walk - Gwinnett

The inaugural Arthritis Walk for Gwinnett County was held today and I was very honored to be asked to be the speaker to get the walkers pumped up for the big one and three mile walks! More than $20,000 was raised for the Arthritis Foundation, I am very honored to be a part of such a wonderful event to help those stricken with Arthritis and rheumatic diseases!
Sharing my personal story with Rheumatoid Arthritis with the walkers and supporters for the Gwinnett Arthritis Walk.

Being honored to cut the ribbon to the start of the first ever inaugural Arthritis Walk in Gwinnett County with Dr. Teresa Lawrence-Ford!

Pictured with the Marshall of the walk - Dr. Teresa Lawrence-Ford. She's one of the BEST Rheumatologists in Atlanta! Signing the Arthritis Walk Wall of Heros...arthritis strikes all - at any age. This banner and hundreds of letters from people suffering from Arthritis will be presented to legislators in Washington, D.C. Since the historic Arthritis Prevention, Control & Cure Act (S.626/H.R. 1283) was reintroduced last year, the legislation has 214 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and 52 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate, yet 46 million adults and 294,000 children are still waiting for Congressional attention. As an advocate, this is an important effort to stress to legistalors that immediate action on the bill must be taken, which will help improve the lives of the millions of Americans living with arthritis and chronic joint symptoms.

Having fun with the kids and dancing the "chicken dance" - having a ball!

Talking with Paige, a nine year old girl who has Rheumatoid Arthritis, sharing our experiences with the disease, with her mom. This touched my heart to the core, seeing such young children managing the disease. She is an inspiration to us all!

Special Olympics

What an amazing honor to be a part of the 2008 Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies! Meeting and cheering on 2,000 athletes from all over the world, were all in Atlanta for the annual games. The Special Olympics provides year round sports training competition to more than 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries. The oath is "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

The courageous athletes who compete in the Special Olympics hold a very special place in our hearts. Since 2001, Matt and I have attended the opening ceremonies and have been inspired by each athlete's attitude, drive and determination to make their dreams come true!

Special Olympics currently serves 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 programs in over 180 countries. Those numbers are the result of an overwhelmingly successful Campaign for Growth that began in 2000. That year, Special Olympics made a bold commitment to reach 2 million athletes by the end of 2005, while simultaneously changing attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities around the world. Over the course of those five years, in addition to providing more than 1 million more athletes the opportunity to experience the joy of sport, Special Olympics transformed itself.

When athletes succeed, attitudes change, communities develop, health and self-esteem are built, and the eyes of the world are focused on all that is good and hopeful and positive. Athletes gain skills for employment, learn independent living skills, form relationships and help others understand their extraordinary capabilities despite health issues they experience daily. The Special Olympics is an amazing organization and we are proud to support these athletes and show the world that every person counts!

Official Crown Headshot

Thank you to my husband Matt who took my official Mrs. Georgia International crown headshot. (pageant makeup by Mere Cosmetics)
I love you!

Marietta Daily Journal News

Meeting Cindy Crawford

Meeting one of my favorite fashion icons of all time, Cindy Crawford! She was at Rooms To Go promoting her new line of furniture, she is timeless! She looks exactly like she does in print and even more beautiful in person!

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month!

MAY IS NATIONAL ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH!

What an exciting month May has been! Being crowned Mrs. Georgia International just a few days ago has been the most amazing experience ever! Did you know that May is National Arthritis Awareness Month? I have been fighting rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 15. Yes, it's not just an old person's disease, it affects all age groups. That is the #1 myth about arthritis...learn more about arthritis and become AWARE! Let's bring arthritis to its knees!

The Arthritis Foundation, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, kicks off May with its series of Arthritis Walks to raise funds and awareness.

The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation's annual nationwide event that supports public awareness and raises funds to fight arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children with arthritis. Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, when you walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis, you know you're making a difference. The funds you raise will support critical Arthritis Foundation research and discoveries, public health initiatives and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.

I can give you 46 million reasons why you should walk...Join me today and walk for a cure. Click this link to donate!

Introducing the new Mrs. Georgia International 2008...

I am so proud and honored to be Mrs. Georgia International 2008! On May 4th, 2008 was a night I will never forget, thank you to my devoted family, friends and generous sponsors who made this all possible! Chicago - here we come!

The official kiss from "Mr. Georgia"