Inspirational People Spotlight: Heather Whitestone McCallum

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Some of you may remember this, but many here weren’t even born yet, but on September September.17.1994, Heather Whitestone became not only the first Deaf Midd America, but the first Miss America with a disability, (though that’s not exactly a term I’d use to describe her. Heather Whitestone was born in Dothan Alabama on February.24.1973, she lost her hearing at the age of eighteen months when she contracted a dangerously high fever caused from the Haemophilus influenza virus. She was enrolled in public school without any assistance up until the age of twelve, and then was enrolled in the Central institute for the Death, where she completed two grade levels every year, catching up with her peers in just three years. She returned to Alabama, graduates with her peers, with a 3.6 G.P.A. She went to Jacksonville State University, as well as continuing with ballet.. Her first year in the Miss America Pageant circuit she was crowned Miss Alabama, a year later she was crowned Miss America. Her platform became her five point stars program, Success Through Action and Realization of your dreams. She has since become a Mother of four, a wife, an advocate for those with disabilities. She’s written four books, is a motivational speaker and continues to inspire others to this day.