She Took Off Her High Heels After Having Seizure During Homecoming–So All the Girls Took Theirs Off, Too, and It Went Viral

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A high school senior living with epilepsy and Down syndrome suffered a seizure right before her school’s homecoming game. As the seizure left her unstable, she had to take her heels off for the mid-game crowning ceremony. In a heartwarming show of solidarity, her fellow candidates followed suit and took their shoes off to cross the field barefoot.

Nataleigh Deal, from Edgefield, South Carolina, was at the homecoming game on Oct. 4, 2019, at Strom Thurmond High School. She was with her mother, Dawn Ford, and her sister, Carleigh, as her escort when she had an unexpected seizure.

“As soon as we got down to her seat and she started saying ‘I just don’t feel well,’” her sister recalled, per WRDW.

In spite of her seizure, the 19-year-old was still determined to compete in the half-term homecoming queen crowning ceremony. But she had to take the heels off as she wasn’t feeling steady enough yet. “At that moment when I found out I couldn’t wear heels, I didn’t feel too good,” Nataleigh said, per Good Morning America.

As soon as the 12 other classmates that were up for queen heard about Nataleigh’s situation, they decided to show her some support. Every single one of the girls took their heels off before the ceremony. “When I came out there, literally not a single one of them had their shoes on. Not even the homecoming elect from the year before who was crowning,” Carleigh told WRDW. Such a moving gesture!

For these incredible girls, it was a no-brainer. “My first thoughts about walking across barefoot were, ‘Of course, I’ll do it!' Not only because my heels were hurting my feet, but mainly to make Nataleigh feel better,” said Lillian Mann, one of the homecoming queen candidates.

The biggest surprise of the evening came when Nataleigh found herself crowned homecoming queen. “I heard [them] saying my name and [then] I became Homecoming Queen,” she said. “I was feeling much better.” In spite of the seizure, this young woman had an incredible night, all thanks to her loving classmates.

“I am proud of myself for being queen of Strom Thurmond High,” she said. “I love my friends more than anything. They’re proud of me. Go Rebels!” Nataleigh stated.

Carleigh then took to Facebook to express her joy and gratitude. The moving post read:

“I have cried more times today than I have in a while thinking about how blessed we are to be in a community that loves our girl beyond what we could’ve ever comprehended before Friday night. the news interviews, the love, and support we have seen from this community is all more than my mom, Nat, or myself ever could’ve imagined.”

This simple but important gesture touched the 19-year-old’s mother. “I knew Nataleigh was loved and embraced at Strom Thurmond High School, but I had no idea the magnitude of it until Friday night,” Ford told WRDW.

“All her life, we have prayed for love, acceptance, and total inclusion for Nataleigh. We are so blessed that she is so loved and included,” she stated.