Organizations
After winning Miss Oklahoma USA 2002 my heart and eyes were opened to the world of philanthropy. My role and duty as Miss Oklahoma was to shed light in places and areas where there was none. I experienced feelings and emotions that I never knew existed. Since then it has been integrated into my daily life with some affecting my personal journey.
Breast Cancer Awareness |
Autism Awarness |
Oklahoma Charities |
Charity Aqua |
My Pink Warrior
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In 2002 I learned a lot about Breast and Ovarian Cancer, it was my platform as Miss Oklahoma USA but I never thought that it would end up playing such an important role in my life.
The morning of January 8th, 2013 changed the path of my life forever. My mother at 55 being diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer with metastasis to her liver. The worst diagnosis we could have imagined. I was numb in the room with her and couldn't even wrap my head around how she was feeling. Our hearts were broken into pieces. After her diagnosis I felt it was my duty to do what I can to raise money for the cause and also take care of myself. I joined the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer and had the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (genetic) testing done. I would later find out that I tested negative. On my mom's 36th round of chemotherapy she was complaining of a brain pain she was having in her right frontal lobe so her oncologist ordered a brain MRI before we left town. Her journey is one where she flies from Oklahoma to Arizona every 3 weeks for chemotherapy and check ups. So, when her oncologist left a voice mail that we could not leave town we knew it was not good news. Low and behold the cancer had spread with new lesions on her liver and a new tumor in her brain that would require immediate radiation. She ended up doing 3 rounds of targeted brain radiation. My mom's cancer is considered palliative. Which means they can not cure her cancer but can maintain it on a level that her body can handle. Kim Head is a true hero in my mind, she has a huge loving support system and a family that cherishes her more than she will ever understand. My life for the past 5 years has been quite an adventure for my family. Mom and I have created so many memories at Cancer Center of America in Goodyear, AZ ones that will be with us forever. Being by her side on some of the scariest days of her life has been an honor. My mom just completed her 78th round of chemotherapy, we are about to have our 5 year anniversary with our team at CTA. Each 3 weeks brings new challenges and rewards but we stay strong and jam out to Fight Song in the car, say a prayer, I grab my caretaker badge and we walk into the Cancer Center feeling unstoppable. I wanna salute all my fellow pink warriors and caretakers. We are in this together. #TeamKLH On March 5th at 4:36am my mother reached her well deserved angel wings. She is now pain free, and flying among us all. For any person who is looking for any kind of strength in the battle of breast cancer please read my mom's story and it not only gave me strength, but it will for you too. Medicine, research, dedicated walks, and time with one another big discoveries are found. I know our time on Earth was special. |
"I walk because I can't walk away" |
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Queen for a DayOn May 20, 2013 I watched CNN unveil the awful facts about a EF5 tornado that had blown through the state of Oklahoma but mostly affecting the city of Moore, Oklahoma. This particular beast stayed on the ground for approximately 39 minutes over a 17-mile path, the tornado was 1.3 mile wide at its peak. Its size and roughly similar track was much as the same but deadlier 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado.
The 1999 tornado was my senior year of high school and I was in Oklahoma City for a state golf tournament. The hotel that we stayed at was inundated with victims of the tornado. We drove through some of the wreckage and it was beyond devastating. With Oklahoma being my home, I felt the need to help. I contacted fellow state titleholders and within a few weeks I had the support to help 15 young women and girls. All I wanted was to help remove a little pain and put a smile on their faces for the day. My goal was to treat each and everyone like it was their birthday or as if they were granted to be "Queen for a Day". The day included getting their hair and makeup done, a shopping spree, lunch, a new pair of shoes and a huge gift basket with celebrity autographs. Friendships were made and a unique bond was formed. We laughed together and we cried together. It was a day that I will never forget. |
Reagan's JourneyOn August 4, 2011 my son Ryan Reagan Blair was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His father and I had noticed a change in his behavior when he was approximately 2 1/2 years old. As new parent's we followed all the recommended vaccine list given to us by our pediatricians. I can not confirm what caused his form of Autism but I can say that I saw an immediate change in my son's behavior after receiving 3 shots in one day. He went from singing and playing along with the tv to sitting and staring at the object (tv) like he was numb. Reagan's speech growth came to a complete stop, his loving personality changed to just being silent and irritable. When he wasn't silent his mood would change to absolute rage in a instant. Self inflicted pain would occur and getting him to break from a Autistic seizure was impossible.
As a new mother I was scared for my son's future, I had to put a plan into action. Scheduled an audiology & hearing test, interviewed with child psychologist, met with doctors, specialist, child development analyst, occupational therapist, it was endless. All the while I kept getting all types of different answers. Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disability and A-typical Autism. Taking a step back to evaluate the mixed feedback from everyone I decided I was one that knew my son best. I scheduled Reagan will a world renowned child specialist in Westwood, CA and we did a series of tests for 3 weeks. At the end of the series he was clinically diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
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With his dad on the road for a National book tour a lot of the work, research and responsibility fell to me. I did not know anything about Autism Spectrum Disorder, I had to become a student myself. Going to Saturday classes, Autism functions, parent mixers, volunteering for Autism Speaks, throwing myself into a community of people who would later become an anchor for me in our journey.
By 2012 our action plan was put into place. After another round of assessments were completed, he was accepted into North Los Angeles County Regional Center (2x week), Private Occupational Therapy at Kid Abilities (2x week), Private Speech Therapy with Julie Hobbs (3x week). After a year of rigorous therapy preschool was the next step. At 3 years old we attempted 3 different preschools in the school year and none of them worked out. He was simply not ready, we took a step back and continued with constant therapy.
In the fall of 2013 all our hard work was paying off. Reagan had changed immensely he was talking more, engaging and was a happier child. He was eager to start preschool at age 4 so I enrolled him in to private Montessori School in Beverly Hills. His year there did not come with out pit falls, the tantrums and more aggressive side would often reappear but he was learning and progressing. Reagan was very behind academically for his age but this was progress. Every little step in the right direction was huge for us and in our home we celebrated every milestone. To witness my son making friends, announce his name when asked simply made my heart flutter with joy.
When school started in 2014, Reagan stood proud as he walked into kindergarten. I knew the year would be a big one with all sorts of new challenges, so I started all the paperwork for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I hired a Special Education Advocate to help expedite the process and it still took till the end of the school to get approved. Entering the 2015 school year Reagan would have all the necessary tools and concentrated assistance that he would need to thrive.
It was in Reagan's best interest to repeat kindergarten twice. Both K, first and second grade were Wonderland Elementary. The IEP Team and our advocate has since redirected us towards a new direction to a school with these skills on deck that Reagan will need.
Our journey has been one with ups and downs and unexpected surprises. We have had unconditional support from the Autism Community and from our families. His father and I are blessed to have been able to give Reagan everything that he required to grow and develop as he needed. I am thankful for organizations like Autism Speaks, Generation Rescue and films like Trace Amounts for helping spread awareness to the world.
By 2012 our action plan was put into place. After another round of assessments were completed, he was accepted into North Los Angeles County Regional Center (2x week), Private Occupational Therapy at Kid Abilities (2x week), Private Speech Therapy with Julie Hobbs (3x week). After a year of rigorous therapy preschool was the next step. At 3 years old we attempted 3 different preschools in the school year and none of them worked out. He was simply not ready, we took a step back and continued with constant therapy.
In the fall of 2013 all our hard work was paying off. Reagan had changed immensely he was talking more, engaging and was a happier child. He was eager to start preschool at age 4 so I enrolled him in to private Montessori School in Beverly Hills. His year there did not come with out pit falls, the tantrums and more aggressive side would often reappear but he was learning and progressing. Reagan was very behind academically for his age but this was progress. Every little step in the right direction was huge for us and in our home we celebrated every milestone. To witness my son making friends, announce his name when asked simply made my heart flutter with joy.
When school started in 2014, Reagan stood proud as he walked into kindergarten. I knew the year would be a big one with all sorts of new challenges, so I started all the paperwork for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). I hired a Special Education Advocate to help expedite the process and it still took till the end of the school to get approved. Entering the 2015 school year Reagan would have all the necessary tools and concentrated assistance that he would need to thrive.
It was in Reagan's best interest to repeat kindergarten twice. Both K, first and second grade were Wonderland Elementary. The IEP Team and our advocate has since redirected us towards a new direction to a school with these skills on deck that Reagan will need.
Our journey has been one with ups and downs and unexpected surprises. We have had unconditional support from the Autism Community and from our families. His father and I are blessed to have been able to give Reagan everything that he required to grow and develop as he needed. I am thankful for organizations like Autism Speaks, Generation Rescue and films like Trace Amounts for helping spread awareness to the world.