MADELINE IRWIN – BREAKING THE DISABILITY STIGMA

Although she didn’t win (The Miss Washington Pageant) Madeline Irwin went on stage and used her disability as a platform to break the negative stigma regarding people with disability.

Madeline, who is 22, was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition that doesn’t allow her to straighten her arms, back and leg. Her condition causes curved joints and muscle weakness and stiffness. After years of trying to conceal her disorder and blend in, she said she finally found the strength to accept and love herself through embracing her condition and surrounding herself with positive people.

Madeline Irwin
Credit: Nikki Closser Photography

The Washington State University student is passionate about advocating for people with physical difficulties because she said, “There is a strong stigma around the the word ‘disability’.” It wasn’t until Madeline built her confidence and began to lover herself that she realised she could use the word ‘disabled’ to empower herself and then find the courage to empower others.

Arthrogry multiplex congenita, also known as AMC, is a disease that affects one in 3,000 infants. There are many causes of the disease, most of which develop before birth including inadequate room in the uterus for the baby, a deformed spinal cord and central nervous system, and abnormal development of muscles.

Treatment is necessary to prevent further joint limitations and Madeline said she went to physical therapy when she was younger to build strength in those areas.

She writes on Instagram, “I am not beautiful DESPITE my disability. In fact, in a lot of ways, I am beautiful BECAUSE of it. The college student says it has been her dream to be able to advocate for physically disabled people and now it appears her dreams are finally in motion. She said of her AMC, “It doesn’t define me, but it’s a huge part of who I am.”