Where is She Now? An update on Super Kid Courtney Gaines
Courtney enjoys being a role model for other kids and using her talents to help others. As the reigning Miss Choctaw Midwest City, Courtney competed in the Miss Oklahoma Teen USA pageant in summer 2021, a historic occasion. Courtney was the second contestant with Down syndrome selected to compete in a Miss Teen USA pageant and the first African American contestant with Down syndrome to compete in any of the franchise’s pageants. “Oftentimes children with Down syndrome and African Americans with disabilities are not seen,” said DeAnna Gaines, Courtney’s mom. “It’s not because they can’t do it, we’re just not seeing them take advantage of [these opportunities]. Courtney is a visual advocate, encouraging others to pursue whatever they want to do.” Though she was disappointed she didn’t win Miss Teen USA, Courtney declared she’ll be back to compete. In the meantime, she continues to pursue her loves of modeling and acting, working on a pilot TV show through Green Pastures Studios and in her role as assistant to producer Lazara Gonzalez for the Soul Music Festival and Independent Soul Music Awards over Labor Day weekend. Courtney’s advocacy extends beyond the entertainment realm as well. She and mom DeAnna are U.S. ambassadors for the 4th Congressional District for the with disabilities, have continued to propel Courtney forward to share her infectious spirit and advocacy in ever- widening circles. Courtney Gaines was first featured in MetroFamily’s January 2020 issue as an inspirational Super Kid of the Metro. The Choctaw High School student had just made headlines as the first Oklahoman to participate in the Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Fashion Show in Las Vegas, a major fundraiser for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. That experience, plus her longtime efforts on behalf of individuals
COURTNEY MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTESTANT WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO COMPETE IN A MISS TEEN USA PAGEANT.
National Down Syndrome Society, focused on community outreach and increasing access to resources for other families of children with Down syndrome. Their first project is to bring Courtney’s Law to Oklahoma, modeled after the Down Syndrome Information Act that has been passed into law in 20 other states. The act helps ensure parents receiving a prenatal or postnatal Down syndrome diagnosis will receive immediate, accurate, evidence-based information and connection to resources. Oftentimes, when a parent receives the diagnosis, the information they receive is outdated or they receive no information at all about local resources, said DeAnna, who adds African American and minority families tend to experience more limited access to current, accurate information, leaving their children even further behind. “A lack of information can lead to a lifetime of hurt for a child,” said DeAnna. “It’s stressful for parents and families, and when you don’t know the options and you get a late start, it affects the longterm development of the child. The law will require all doctors to disclose [information and resources].” Courtney and DeAnna are working with Oklahoma State Senator Brenda Stanley and the National Down Syndrome Society in hopes that Courtney’s Law will be heard in the legislative session in January 2022.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPT-OCT 2021 11
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