FLINT, MI –– The lights were bright, the chairs were full and the runway’s carpet was soft at the Sloan Museum of Discovery on Sunday, Dec. 20.
Many in the chairs and backstage eagerly awaited the start of the “This is Me” special needs fashion show.
Que Brandon Miller.
Miller is in his fourth year modeling in the fashion show. This is the first time he’s opened it alone.
But he said he wasn’t nervous at all. He had been practicing while his little sister, Paityn Miller, played the ukelele the night before. Instead, he described a different feeling.
“Happy and ready for the holidays,” Miller said.
He stood with his drum in front of dozens and gave the people a show, playing to music and free-styling his rhythms.
When his performance ended and he was greeted with a standing ovation, Miller gave himself a clap too.
Tenisha Miller, Brandon’s mom, hopes that as he performed and walked the runway, he felt proud, accepted and a sense of accomplishment.
“It’s such a happy feeling. It makes my heart smile. It’s nice for them to showcase their talents and get to be who they are, “ Tenisha Miller said. “It just shows how much courage he has because I would never be able to do anything like this.”
The fashion show, which is in its fifth year, was founded by Tracy Palmer, chief executive officer of Trendsetter Productions.
Palmer, who has hosted fashion shows against bullying, was approached by Charise Key-Grey, the mother of current model Emari Suggs.
Key-Grey thought that Emari, who has autism, could show off his fashionable socks on the runway.
Related: We Are Flint: This is Me special needs fashion show shines in its fifth year
This year’s show was dedicated to the matriarch of “This is Me.”
Palmer’s mother Juanelle Buyck, who died earlier this year, was remembered as someone who always greeted attendees, volunteers and models with a smile.
This year’s show was supported by Sloan Museum, HAP, Comerica Bank, the Horatio Williams Foundation, Genesee Health System, and State Bags.
Clothing sponsors included Leaked Fashion and Let Your Light Shine.
As the show ended, Palmer passed out roses to the parents of the models.
Bentley Burton, a model in the show, became teary-eyed as his fourth year of participating came to an end.
His grandmother, Barb Robertson, was at the show to support him and accepted the rose.
Every year she hopes he can feel like himself on this day and know it is OK to be different.
“It was super nice. It touched my heart,” Burton said. “I love all the people here. Very supportive kids and group.”
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