'An insulin pump doesn't make you less beautiful': Meet the pageant queen who was crowned Miss Idaho after proudly wearing medical device during swimsuit contest

By Margot Peppers

Published: 16:46 EST, 18 July 2014 | Updated: 18:41 EST, 18 July 2014

A beauty queen has become a hero for Type 1 diabetes after she proudly paraded during a swimsuit competition with her insulin pump attached to her bikini.

On Saturday, 20-year-old Sierra Sandison was crowned Miss Idaho after she inspired spectators by  showing off the medical device that helps keep her blood sugar regulated.

Now, fans are praising her as a positive role model for those suffering from the same disease. 'Every time I look at my Facebook, I start crying,' she told Magic Valley. 'I've been on a roller coaster all week.'

No shame: Sierra Sandison, who was crowned Miss Idaho on Saturday, has become a hero for Type 1 diabetes after she proudly paraded during a swimsuit competition with her insulin pump attatched to her bikini

No shame: Sierra Sandison, who was crowned Miss Idaho on Saturday, has become a hero for Type 1 diabetes after she proudly paraded during a swimsuit competition with her insulin pump attatched to her bikini

Inspiration: Fans are praising her as a heroine to those suffering from the same disease. 'Every time I look at my Facebook, I start crying,' she said. 'I've been on a roller coaster all week'

Inspiration: Fans are praising her as a heroine to those suffering from the same disease. 'Every time I look at my Facebook, I start crying,' she said. 'I've been on a roller coaster all week'

After beating out 19 other women to be crowed Miss Idaho, the bubbly brunette will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City this September, which will air on TV on September 14.

Sierra, who was diagnosed in February 2012, revealed that at first she tried to pretend her condition didn't exist and went about life as she had before.

 

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'It totally flipped my world upside down,' she said. 'Before I started competing in pageants, I wanted to completely ignore diabetes and hope it would go away.'

But eventually that resulted in 'crazy blood sugars, of course, and a very sick, grumpy, and discouraged Sierra,' she said.

The game's on: After beating out 19 other women to be crowed Miss Idaho, the 20-year-old will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City this September

The game's on: After beating out 19 other women to be crowed Miss Idaho, the 20-year-old will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City this September

Now, she uses diabetes as her beauty pageant cause, inspiring many and prompting thousands of people to 'like'

'Every time I look at my Facebook, I start crying. I've been on a roller coaster all week'

Indeed, the picture of her wearing the insulin pump on has amassed more than 4,800 'likes' on Facebook.

For Sierra, the support is overwhelming. 'I would never have dreamed of posting a swimsuit picture on social media, but diabetics from all over the country have been asking to see me and my insulin pump on the #MissIdaho2014 stage,' she wrote on Facebook.

Role model: The picture of Sierra wearing the insulin pump has amassed more than 4,800 'likes' on Facebook. One mother commented: 'It means so much to little girls who also have pumps (and their Mamas, too!)'

Role model: The picture of Sierra wearing the insulin pump has amassed more than 4,800 'likes' on Facebook. One mother commented: 'It means so much to little girls who also have pumps (and their Mamas, too!)'

'My message to everyone, diabetic or not, is that we all have something that doesn't "measure up" to the beauty standards set by the media - and that is okay! It does not make you any less beautiful.'

She then encouraged her followers to post their own pictures of themselves wearing insulin pumps or showing off other difficulties they struggle with, captioned with the hashtag #showmeyourpump.

'We love this!' one mother commented on the photo. 'Thank you for sharing it! It means so much to little girls who also have pumps (and their Mamas, too!)'

Spread the love: 'My message to everyone, diabetic or not, is that we all have something that doesn't "measure up" to the beauty standards ... and that is okay! It does not make you any less beautiful,' said Sierra

Spread the love: 'My message to everyone, diabetic or not, is that we all have something that doesn't "measure up" to the beauty standards ... and that is okay! It does not make you any less beautiful,' said Sierra

Another wrote: 'You changed my 11-year-old daughter's summer! She's been so self-conscious but since she read about you and saw this photo, she cannot wait to wear a bathing suit tomorrow and show off her insulin pod and have me post a photo here! Thank you so much!'

'My message is that we all have something that doesn't "measure up" to beauty standards'

Sierra said she was inspired when she discovered that Nicole Johnson, who won the Miss America crown in 1999, was also a diabetic, and she wore an insulin pump on stage, albeit under clothes.

'Even if you have an insulin pump, you are not less beautiful,' she said. 'Maybe I can be Nicole Johnson for someone.'

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She's lovely. Hope she has much success.

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She won before she signed up... :) She is "FEARCE" I love it!!!

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she's stunning!

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Ummm ...ABSOLUTELY friend!!!!

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What pump?

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just an FYI..the photo of her with the bridge behind her..thats in Twin Falls Idaho..a feet hundred yards beyond it is where Evil Knevil attempted the Snake River Canyon jump...and SHE is beautiful...I love the shape of her face.

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With looks like hers I have to ask teh question..."What bridge?" lmao

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She's beautiful and has a great body

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I WANT A INSULIN PUMP TO CONTROL MY DIABETES MORE CAREFULLY , I WAS THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE , NOW I WILL ASK

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You would rather have that than just keep more control and avoid what may or may not be an awful inevitability?

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Wow what a hero. It's not as if she's on the front line, or just saved someone's life, but well done dear.

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Idaho girls are the greatest in the 57 states.

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I would honestly like to see a huge comparison ya know... I bet if you ran that contest three times back to back and you shuffled the contestences from there order? The answer would change obviously with a very difference answer each time.. :)

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Seems like a pity crowning to me. Had there been a bald cancer sufferer, she would've won.

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common sense, more like idiot

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Damn bro...hate much? You make it seem like they stole your crown?

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