Vietnam Veteran Competes in Beauty Pageant

DENVOR, CO - 4/14/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET) -- Dr. Tina Garcia, J.D.LLM, a traumatic brain injury survivor and Vietnam era combat trained veteran, is a contestant in the upcoming Ms. Colorado Senior America Beauty Pageant.  The pageant gives honor to women who have reached the ‘Age of Elegance’ and searches for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the inner beauty of all senior Americans. The event is more than a beauty contest as it honors the achievements of senior women across the country.

Dr. Garcia will recite her award winning essay wearing 43 year old combat gear, insignia, and a military badge in the talent portion of the contest. The essay tells her incredible story of surviving a car crash at 46 as a law student at the University of Denver.  She shares her reaction to hearing the medical staff panic as her vital signs plummeted on the drive to the hospital. She describes the warrior determination needed to relearn how to read, write, and recall her own family during her recovery.

“I’m so honored to be a part of this event and to share my story.  I hope it inspires others with traumatic brain injury not to give up,” says Garcia.  This is her first pageant competition.  She laughs and shares, “I was in the trenches with M16s while other women were learning about makeup and dresses. This event is a new experience for me.”

The event will be recorded by A Head for the Future to raise awareness of the signs, symptoms, and treatment of brain injuries in the military community. The goal of the video is to encourage individuals to take action if they or someone close to them have a traumatic brain injury or concussion.

Dr. Garcia’s pageant sponsors include area VFW posts, the Women Marines Association, and the Colorado Women Veterans Association.  The event will be held on Sunday April 27 at 2:00 pm at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Besides A Head for the Future, the event will be filmed by the Washington Defense Veteran Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) and Fox 21 News.   

Outside of the pageant, Dr. Garcia stays active as an inspirational speaker for veteran’s groups and exercises daily. “I was fortunate to get a second chance in life, so I’m living it to the fullest,” she says.  Dr. Garcia is available for speaking and media appearances. She can be reached at tgarcia05@law.du.edu.