Last August, Shannon Ford was crowned Mrs United States 2011. She is my pageant queen bestie! She competed against 53 other contestants in categories like swimsuit, evening gown, and on-stage questions.
Here’s more about Shannon, in her own words:
Where are you from originally? Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Miami. I did live in New York City for 5 years as an adult, but eventually came back.
How long have you been entering pageants?
My first pageant was when I was 18 years-old. I entered because the prize was a cash scholarship and I competed as a means to pay for school. I continued to compete throughout college and beyond and captured the title of Miss Florida USA 2002 at age 25. However, before I entered the Mrs. Florida Pageant, it had been nine years since I had competed in a pageant.
What attracted you to the Mrs United States pageant?
I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a little over two years ago. I felt that I had a story to tell and the Mrs. United States title would give me the platform on which to tell it.
Tell me more about Celiac disease? Is it genetic? Preventable? How do you keep it in check?
Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be genetic. The only treatment for Celiac disease is to completely abstain from gluten.
What’s next for you? More pageants? More work with celiac?
In 2012, I have signed on to be a speaker at several Gluten Free Expos throughout the U.S. After I pass on the title, I hope to continue my work within the Celiac/Gluten Free Community sharing my story and creating awareness for the illness.
You can get to know Shannon Ford better by following her on Twitter and becoming a fan of her Facebook page. Just remember, she ALREADY has a bestie!
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