This year’s Miss Australia pageant has a contestant in a wheelchair. Her name is Justine Clark, a 26 year old model who became the first contestant to compete in the Miss World Australia pageant in a wheelchair.
Although she didn’t win, she could still progress to the nationwide final through the Beauty with a Purpose campaign, which raises money for local charities. If Clark raises the most money, she can wheel across the national stage.
In an interview with The Advertiser, a local Australian newspaper, Clark said, ‘for somebody in a wheelchair to be able to compete is a big thing. I really hope it sends a message that no matter what your race, size or disability whatever makes you different you are beautiful.”
Clarke has been in a wheelchair for two years but didn’t reveal what happened to render her disabled. “I don’t really want to go in to what happened, but I want to be a role model and empower young women,” she said