My Journey: A Story of Strength, Resilience, and #KeepOnMoving

By Cara Mia Hogan

Growing up with a mother who has a disability has shaped who I am in countless ways. It’s a journey that has taught me the true meaning of perseverance, compassion, and the power of community. My mom has never let her disability define her but it has certainly influenced my journey and outlook on life. It has motivated me to become an advocate for those with MS through my CSI and my future profession as a Physical Therapist. 

One of the most defining moments of my life occurred when I had to call 911 after my mom fell in the middle of the night. I was uncertain of what was going to happen next, and it was one of the scariest moments I’ve ever experienced. My heart raced as I spoke on the phone with the 911 operator, feeling both helpless and terrified. My dad was there with her, doing everything he could to care for her until the ambulance arrived. I can still remember to this day answering the door with rollers in my hair and feeling so embarrassed that they had to come into my home like this. The fear I felt in that moment is something I’ll never forget. Through moments like these, I’ve learned how to remain calm when faced with fear and challenges and how to support others through the toughest of times.

This passion for advocacy led me to create #KeepOnMoving as my platform in the Miss America Organization. Through my platform, I aim to support MS Awareness, Research, and Support. I am the biggest cheerleader for those with ms and the families and communities effected. My mom’s journey and my own experiences growing up have fueled my desire to make a difference in the lives of others living with not only multiple sclerosis but also other disabilities.

March is MS Awareness Month, and I’m excited to share my story and my mom’s. I hope to anyone reading that our story resonates with you in some way or another. Through my journey as a titleholder and an ms advocate, I continue to honor my mom everyday because of her resilience and my own commitment to making a positive impact. I hope my story will inspire others to #KeepOnMoving. There is a world free of MS, let’s be the ones to do it!

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Cara Mia Hogan is the current Miss Luzerne County (PA). You can find her on her title's Instagram and Facebook.

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.