Lessons in compassion
Clarkston mom, pageant winner writes book inspired by son with Tourette Syndrome
Clarkston resident Anne Baldwin found herself like many of us during the COVID lockdown, home schooling her sons Levi, 9, and
Gus, 7, completing virtual homework and basically not leaving the house. Baldwin started to feel down and not like her usual self.
One day as she was scrolling through Instagram, up popped information on the Mrs. Michigan America pageant. Baldwin, who holds a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising management from the Fashion Institute of Technology, thought this would be a good opportunity for her to get back into great mental and physical shape. So she entered the 2021 Mrs. Michigan America pageant — and earned the title of Mrs. Michigan American 2021 as the first runner-up.
“What I love about Mrs. pageants are that they are such a dynamic group of women who are wives, moms, business owners, advocates and so much more. We juggle it all!” Baldwin said.
The pageant gave Baldwin a bigger stage to advocate for something close to her heart, supporting her loved one with Tourette Syndrome. Her son Levi was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome just before his 6th birthday. He was also diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which are cooccuring conditions that are common for people with Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder — often diagnosed in early childhood or adolescence — that is characterized by motor and vocal tics. When Levi started kindergarten, Baldwin started noticing behaviors like eye blinking and head shaking which they later learned were tics associated with TS.
“When Levi was first diagnosed with TS, the school he was at didn’t want to believe the diagnosis and was fighting us on getting him accommodations,” she said. “I realized that I didn’t want any other family to be made to feel the way we were and decided to do something about it by advocating in various ways.”
Baldwin recently published a children’s picture book called “What Makes Me…
Me” — just in time for Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month — that celebrates those who are different and what makes them special. The book is geared toward children ages 1-10, and introduces TS to those who might have never heard of it before and acts as a stepping-stone for kids to learn about the basics.
“I didn’t just want kids to understand what neurologic differences are, I want to teach them compassion toward others who might not look or act like them,” Baldwin said.
For every book purchased, Baldwin donates two books to a school or organization.
To date, she has donated over 450 books to schools statewide and to Little Free Libraries in every state.
Baldwin is continuing her journey by competing in the Mrs. US Continental pageant in Florida this summer with the title of Mrs. Midwest US Continental 2022.
Baldwin’s book, “What Makes Me…Me,” can be purchased online at Amazon.com.
Key Facts about Tourette Syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is part of the spectrum of Tic Disorders and characterized