Well, fortunately we found out that the runner-up our particular year was going to get a record contract also. So it was kind of a - it was bitter sweet but it was an opportunity.

The message I'll share...is that inclusion is extremely important for kids with and without disabilities.

It's important that I make a difference in some way. It's not necessarily how I make a difference, but I want to make sure that I do.

Perseverance. I got cut twice. I got cut in Charlotte. I didn't have to go to Atlanta to audition. I could have said, "I'm not cut out for this." But I said, "I think I'm better than that, I can go try again." So I went to Atlanta and I made it through. Then I got cut the first time around. I could have told them I didn't want to come back for the Wild Card show but I did and look how far I got.

Well, financially it's a little bit better. But it's better than than when I was a teacher. But I kind of - it's allowed me to buy a house. And I've been able to help my mother with some stuff and my brother. So, that's nice.

You know, I think I'm a stronger person for realizing that you can't make everybody love you.

I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that.