How pageants help teen Frances prove the doctors wrong
WHILE watching an episode of American television program Toddlers & Tiaras, Frances Watkins instantly fell in love with the glitzy and colourful world of beauty pageants.
And after that first glimpse she turned to her mum Marie and asked if she could enter a pageant.
But 16-year-old Frances isn’t like most girls her age.
Frances from Cwmgwili, near Cross Hands, was born 10 weeks prematurely – and when she was only 10 months old was diagnosed with quadruple cerebral palsy.
The diagnosis meant that Frances would have no control over her limbs and would need to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
Doctors also told Marie that her daughter’s mind would be affected and that she would never be able to think for herself – something her mum insists Frances has been defying all her life.
“She’s got a huge personality and a wicked sense of humour. Doctors said she would never be able to do anything like pageants but she is proving them wrong all the time,” she added.
In August 2015, Frances geared up for her first beauty pageant making a preparation list full of things to do before the big day. Like most teenage girls her age
Frances loves all things beauty and included on her to-do list: choosing her dresses, getting her nails done and organising her hair and make-up.
Before the competition, Frances’s mum Marie explained her daughter’s condition to the judges who encouraged her to enter and she was placed in the top five in her first competition and then was flown to Paris to compete in another.
“After that, she was hooked with the whole experience and competed in a couple more pageants – all for kids without disabilities. Last year she competed and won Miss Teen Natural Beauty Wales and also went to Spain to compete,” Marie said. “She loves the make-up and getting her hair done and the dresses. She is definitely a diva when she wants to be and always wants her hair and make-up to be done the way she wants.”
And last month the 16-year-old Amman Valley pupil was crowned Miss Teen Britannia Crystal – beating teenagers from all around the UK in various routines, walks and an evening wear heat for the title.
After winning the crown Frances has also been approached to take part in London Fashion Week modelling clothes for a local fashion designer, a dream she can’t wait to fulfil.
“She’s so excited to go to London and just loves all the attention,” smiled Marie.
But regardless of the glamorous dresses and sparkling tiaras, mum Marie maintains that the pageants have given her daughter something much more valuable.
“She’s made amazing friends for life there. They don’t see her as just someone with a wheelchair, she’s just a girl to them, she’s just Frances. They have accepted her as one of their own and they all share the same things in common,” she said.
“I’m very proud of her, doctors said that she would never be able to do something like this and never be able to communicate for herself but she is proving them wrong all the time,” added Marie.
“The school’s been really supportive and love to hear all about Frances’ pageants and have been on the journey with her.
“She even took her crown in for all the kids at the centre to see and they all loved it,” said Marie.