Alexis Wineman, will represent Montana in 2013 Miss America Competition as the first autistic contestant.
Miss Montana from Cut Bank was diagnosed with pervasive Development Disorder, with borderline Asperger Syndrome at age 11 and struggled to fit in while growing up, now she will represent Montana in Miss America, according to Billings Gazette.
"For the longest time I just really wanted to know what was wrong with me," said Wineman, adding, "When I was finally diagnosed I felt like it came too late," in interview with Fox news.
The 18 year-old spent two years in counseling, with many tests, revealing that often she was teased and bullied at school "Nobody understood what I was going through," adding she spent most of her time alone 'I looked at myself as a punching bag for others, and a burden to my family.'
The will do stand-up comedy routine to win Miss Montana pageant, After being diagnosis with autism, Wineman was able to open up and participated in cheerleading, cross country, speech and drama. The beauty queen did a stand-up comedy routine opeining up to the audience for Miss Montana competition.
I have this amazing opportunity and plan on doing everything to be prepared, but more importantly, to show the world that being on the (autism) spectrum is not a death sentence, but a life adventure," said Alexis. She plans to attend University of Montana majoring in art therapy.
Miss Montana's platform will be to bring awareness to Autism. She will bring beauty and challenges on stage to Miss America Competition Saturday, January 12, 2013 televised on ABC at 9 Est.
