Susan " SAM" Madden Article written in 1996

Susan " SAM" Madden Article written in 1996

More about "SAM"

Articles by "SAM"

When Susan "Sam" Madden placed fourth in the 1995 Ms Country Western Arizona pageant, she thought, "not bad, for a blind diabetic kidney transplant recipient." But the plucky cowgirl decided to give it another try in this year's pageant Sunday night at the Radisson Resort in Scottsdale. She lost out to contestant Becky Hinson but said the experience was worth it. "Everyone was so wonderful, and they were so helpful, especially considering my handicap. I had girls leading me around and showing me where to go the whole week," she said.
Madden, 35, a former model, lost her sight six years ago as a result of diabetes, Further complications from diabetes kept Madden on kidney dialysis three days a week until August l994, when she underwent a kidney transplant. Madden was attracted to the Ms Country Western pageant because the ideals It embodies closely mirror her life-style. She says she has no problems fitting in to what pageant organizers call "the country-western way of life."
For Madden of Phoenix, that way of life involves "hard work, clean living, a community spirit, faith in God and being kind of wholesome and down to earth," she said. "The judges are looking for intelligent, articulate, poised women who had actually shoveled horse manure in their lives."
Although unashamed to use verbs such as "mosey" and "hoot and holler," Madden doesn't lack polish. She studied modeling and acting in San Francisco and was an editorial assistant at Arabian Horse World Magazine before, losing her sight in 1990.
Madden was diagnosed as diabetic when she was 17. When she was 29, working as an executive she noticed her vision was getting blurry.
"It progressed so fast, she said. Within months, I couldn't work. Within a year, I was totally blind I've had six surgeries, nothing worked.
For Madden, the devastating loss of her vision changed everything about her life but her attitude.
"I've always been an upbeat person," she said. "I never thought this is the end. Oh, my God, What am I going to do?" You just go on with your life, and you do what you have to do. There's no point in getting depressed about it."
Ms. Country Western Arizona candidates are true cowgirls and must be at home on top of a horse. Madden was a horse trainer and riding instructor before losing her sight and has not let her disability impede one of her deepest passions. She rides weekly on specially trained horses at Camelot Therapeutic, a program for riders with physical challenges.
"I can do anything normal people can, I just can't tell the horse where to go," Madden said. "I have to have someone with me to say, Watch out for that tree." 0therwise I'm totally on my own I even go out on trail rides."
Madden doesn't rule out entering another pageant.
"I'd like to compete again because I met so many wonderful people," she said.


http://www.acmsa.com/Sam%20Madden.htm