Fourth time lucky for Mia?
FOUR-YEAR-OLD Mia Barker-Barrs was all smiles after learning that she had another chance to take part in The Sentinel's Baby and Toddler of the Year competition.
Mum Margareta Barrs had entered Mia into the contest three times over the years but last year found that her daughter was too old to qualify.
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ANOTHER CHANCE: Lee Barker and daughter Mia Barker-Barrs who has entered this year's Baby Of The Year. Picture: Malcolm Hart
Now with a new category for toddlers aged between three and five, Mia is back in the running.
The new category means that Mia will be able to take part, alongside her 19-month-old brother Kian Barker-Barrs.
Margareta, of Slaney Street, Newcastle, said: "I don't think Mia was very happy that she couldn't enter last year. We had to take Kian while she was in nursery.
"This year she was really excited to have her photos done and kept saying, 'Is it my turn yet? Is it my turn?' If you've got a camera, she'll pose."
Mia's love for the camera is matched by her whole family's enjoyment of the pictures.
Commenting on photos taken in previous years, Margareta said: "We usually have all the pictures because we can't pick between them."
Mia's brave smile and active nature belie the story of a little girl who has suffered from fits since she was four-months-old.
Margareta said: "Mia has fits and we still don't know what's causing them. She's had three in the past nine weeks. She does everything like everyone else but when they happen she's tired for the rest of the day. We just want to know if they're going to stop or if it's epilepsy. She doesn't really realise that she's had one – she just sleeps quite a lot."
Nonetheless, Mia still enjoys a wide variety of activities.
Margareta said: "She's definitely active and is always running around.
"She loves being outside and when she goes to her Nana's she plays on the trampoline.
"She loves playing on the computer and she likes Pepper Pig and Dora the Explorer.
"She likes colouring, painting and anything like that."
Father Lee Barker, aged 30, said: "I'm just glad they've put this three to five category in – it's not about winning it's just the taking part.
"Mia loves having her picture taken and being the centre of attention."
7 Comments
by me, wolstanton
Friday, September 18 2009, 5:39PM
“I think that the people that write sarcastic comments about a child that they do not know, or if they do know the child then they are below the human race, and to say that the child has no right to enter any competition because of their age, looks or disability, are utterly disgusting and should not participate in anything to do with the human race.
For that person / or persons to comment on how a child looks and to say that they have no right to be in a beauty contest ( which this one isn't ), says a lot for their mentality and then for someone to say that this child has a disabilty which gives them no right to enter, should take a closer look at themselves as every child has the right to enter or to be a part of any competition.No matter what looks, crede, race or colour that that child is or whatever disability that they have (GO ON MIA BARKER-BARRS, SHOW THEM ALL), for their petty negativity. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.”
by Margareta, Local
Friday, September 18 2009, 4:48PM
“To me, stoke - Yes Mia does have fits which are being investigated so if we find out that camera flashes are likely to trigger them off then she won't have her picture done with a camera flash on. Also just because she likes having her picture taken does not mean that she will end up with an eating disorder.
To Lewis, hanley - Mia isn't being singled out, there are others that have taken part of baby and toddler of the year, this year, who have also been in the sentinel. The reason the sentinel asked they could do an article on Mia is due to the 3-5 age catagory this year and that she was the first female to enter this catagory.”
by Lewis, Hanley
Friday, September 18 2009, 3:05PM
“Why is this even in the paper? Surely singling one specific child out is an unfair advantage over all the other children who have applied?”
by me, Stoke
Friday, September 18 2009, 1:51PM
“I would not class 3-5 year olds as toddlers. It is not appropriate for this age group to enter what is, in actual fact, a beauty contest. She will probably grow up with anorexia/bulimia/eating disorders.”
by localjulie, loacl
Friday, September 18 2009, 12:58PM
“On what planet is this news?”
by julie, local, local
Friday, September 18 2009, 12:57PM
“On what planet is this news?”
by me, stoke
Friday, September 18 2009, 12:29PM
“Mia has fits... I am sure exposure to camera flash lights don't help... give me strength!”