Jennifer Lynn Robinson’s journey to Miss Basic Universe, the crowning magnificence queen over 40, started 14 years in the past when she was hit by a truck.
Robinson, a trial lawyer for Triple A Mid-Atlantic, went to a routine physician’s appointment in Might 2008 when he crashed. “I attempted to stand up, however I could not,” Robinson stated. “I noticed the daybreak of my life.”
Robinson suffered a number of damaged bones in his face, eight ribs and a collapsed lung. He suffered bleeding in his left eye and misplaced his peripheral imaginative and prescient. He tore his Achilles tendon and underwent 4 surgical procedures to restore it. Robinson spent per week within the intensive care trauma unit on the College of Pennsylvania and greater than a yr in bodily, cognitive and speech remedy. He misplaced his stability and suffered a light traumatic mind damage.
Six months after the accident—and regardless of physician’s warnings—Robinson returned to work part-time, however by no means returned to trial regulation.
In 2012, she began her first job as a fundraising and occasions advisor. It changed into a enterprise Purposeful Networking, the place he teaches enterprise professionals and company leaders methods to activate appeal in social settings. Three years later, she determined to attempt her hand at public talking as a result of she missed interacting with folks. He has given tons of of company concert events and in 2020 gave a digital Ted X discuss at Monticello College, Arkansas.
In 2021, she determined to compete within the Ms. Basic Universe pageant and gained final summer season.
“Her story and willingness to share it makes Jennifer an exquisite Ms. Basic Universe,” stated Lynda Samuels, govt director of the Arizona-based Basic Universe franchise. “He did not have a look at himself and assume, ‘I haven’t got what it takes.'”
Today, Robinson hits purple carpets and lavish events in Philadelphia in her tiara and gold sash. We chatted over lunch lately and mentioned survival, life’s twists and turns, and Robinson’s failure within the competitors.
Solutions have been edited for readability.
Why would a girl with no magnificence pageant expertise wish to do a magnificence pageant on the age of 40?
I’m turning 50 years outdated. I used to be interested in taking part on this magnificence pageant, which historically doesn’t have a good time a 5ft 10in tall, blonde haired, younger and skinny lady.
What was your platform?
Serving to folks with invisible accidents. After I recovered bodily, my mind damage was invisible to folks and they’d say issues like, “Properly, you look good.” If an individual cannot do one thing, by no means say, “You look good, why cannot you?” You do not wish to let folks know they don’t seem to be alone.
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What was it like being up to now out of your ingredient?
I knew night put on and resort put on can be a part of the pageant. All of it sounded good. However after I obtained there, there have been quite a lot of girls who clearly had quite a lot of pageant expertise. Then I used to be advised I needed to do a bunch dance. If I had recognized that, I might have stop on the spot. However then I had a revelation: Quitting is just not who I’m. I’m dedicated to it. I made a decision to complete what I began, though I did not really feel prepared on the time and I hadn’t even gone for a stroll.
Wait, you had been a lady who did not stroll?
We had a foot coach. Once I skilled, she advised me, “Put your shoulders again, stick out your chest, look assured. smile You neglect to snicker.” I simply put all of it collectively.
How did you’re feeling in the course of the swimming competitors?
We had the selection of carrying both bathing fits or resort put on. I used to be the one contestant who selected to not put on a swimsuit. I did not really feel comfy carrying only a bathing swimsuit and excessive heels on stage. I wore this very quick, Lilly (Pulitzer) kaftan. All the opposite girls had been in bikinis and thongs and so they had been oiling themselves and I used to be like, what are these judges going to consider me?
What did you be taught from this expertise?
It was a life-changing state of affairs that made me consider in myself once more.
Do you’re feeling stunning?
At all times.
Is that this crown heavy?
The crown is heavy and I find it irresistible.
What’s the finest bonus?
My household at all times jokes that I’m a diva, a queen and an additional. Now everybody has a purpose to name me queen and deal with me like one.
Would you advocate different girls over 40 compete?
Sure. I discovered lots about myself. I do know this: It doesn’t matter what you assume your limits are, there’s at all times a method to push them. That is one thing all of us must ask ourselves: What can all of us do to problem our boundaries?
