Miss International increasing disability awareness

clipped from abclocal.go.com September 13, 2009 (WLS) -- Beauty pageants are not just about looks. But some like the International Pageants are based on accomplishments. This is why a profoundly deaf candidate was crowned Miss International. Even though Jayna Altman's reign as Miss International 2008 ended several weeks ago, her commitment to increasing disability awareness will never end. "My platform is, I can inspire confidence in your abilities now with the focus that we're all born differently, we all have different types of strengths and weaknesses, and in those weaknesses, rather than labeling it as disability, it's just a different type of ability," Altman said. Altman said this not only has been a phenomenal experience for her, it gave her an opportunity a share her life mission. For more information on Jayna Altman and the International Pageants go to www.miss-international.us and www.jaynaaltman.com.