A Wheelchair, a Crown, and a Mission: Katie Haynes’ Story of Hope

In this episode, we sit down with the trailblazing Katie Haynes from Youngsville, North Carolina.

Katie made history as the first person to compete in the Miss United States Agriculture pageant in a wheelchair, and she shares her inspiring experiences from competing in multiple pageants.  

We also discuss:  

• Her journey living with Gastroparesis and a rare form of dysautonomia called AAG (Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy).  
• The incredible work she does through her nonprofit, Smiling While Sending Hope, which spreads joy and awareness by providing care packages to children’s hospitals in North Carolina.  

Katie’s mission is to bring smiles, inspire change, and advocate for those with chronic illnesses and special needs. Tune in to hear her story of resilience, advocacy, and hope! 

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About Smiling While Sending Hope:

Katie Haynes is the founder of Smiling While Sending Hope, a non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and special needs. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, Katie is passionate about making a difference in the disability community through advocacy, care packages, awareness initiatives, and inclusive events.

Born and raised in Youngsville, North Carolina, Katie has firsthand experience navigating life with chronic illnesses, including AGG, Gastroparesis, MCAS, CRPS, and others. Her journey inspired her to start Smiling While Sending Hope In 2015 as a 4-H project, which officially became a non-profit four years ago. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to provide birthday programs, toy drives, private events, caregiver support, and the SWSH Ability Club for STEM and creative projects. Through these efforts, Katie has impacted countless families, ensuring that children and adults with disabilities and chronic conditions feel supported, valued, and celebrated.

Beyond her advocacy work, Katie is a talented photographer with dreams of working for Disney World or NASCAR. She loves capturing special moments and telling stories through her lens, blending her passion for photography with her dedication to inclusivity and representation. In addition to running Smiling While Sending Hope, she enjoys connecting with her community, speaking at events, and inspiring others to embrace kindness and service.

Her mission is simple but powerful: to bring joy, hope, and awareness to those facing medical and physical challenges, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey. Through her unwavering commitment and resilience, Katie continues to make a lasting impact, one smile at a time.

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