TRAVERSE CITY -- Beaming in her new head-to-toe look, Joy Fox smiled for the cameras.
And kept on smiling through her fatigue as family, friends, a professional photographer and the media captured the Onekama resident's transformation Saturday afternoon at the GTWoman Exp(o!)
Showcasing new clothes and accessories, haircut, style and color, manicure, pedicure, facial and expert make up application, Fox relished the once-in-a-lifetime pampering session that began Thursday.
"A totally awesome experience," she said. "I'm a stay-at-home mom, you don't get much time to yourself to just sit."
Fox's mom, Marianne Domako, of Kaleva, nominated her daughter for the $1,000 Last Minute Makeover contest sponsored by Grand Traverse Woman magazine and Spa Grand Traverse. Calling her daughter "the bravest woman I know," Domako said Joy "surprises and amazes everyone -- everyday."
Diagnosed at age 19, Fox has Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic, progressive and incurable muscle disease causing weakness and affecting body systems. Turning 31 on Tuesday -- the makeover became an early birthday present -- Fox struggles with low energy and cannot do many normal activities. She focuses her limited physical resources on her daughter, Madalyn, 4, who keeps her busy and on the go all day.
"When you're faced with challenges you just deal with them, that's what you have to do," said Fox, who completed her master's degree in counseling, choosing that field when she realized her dream of teaching was impossible.
Domako's essay about her daughter was selected as one of three finalists by staff at the Spa Grand Traverse. They suggested offering a makeover in conjunction with the Exp(o!) to Kandace Chapple, editor/co-publisher of Grand Traverse Woman. The magazine had previously done makeovers but never one in which readers had the final say.
This contest teased out a common theme manifested by so many women:
"Nearly all of our contest entries were from moms and nearly all of them felt a little guilty asking for time for themselves," said Chapple. "But of course every one of them deserve it."
The magazine published the essays about the three finalists, and readers voted for the winner online over a six-week period. Allowed one vote per day, at one point readers logged a thousand votes over a few days. With 2,116 votes total, Fox garnered just under 65 percent of the tally to win. The runner up was Amy Spitzley, of Traverse City, while Rose Hollander of Suttons Bay took third place.
"It was fun to see the results go up and down," noted Chapple, adding about the winner: "[Joy] was very modest about the attention and seemed used to caring for others more than herself."
A major support in Fox's life, Domako's essay about her daughter was so compelling that Spa Grand Traverse offered a full makeover for Domako as well.
Fox was unaware of the contest and was surprised to be selected. Ironically, her mother's essay paralleled a piece Fox wrote around 10 years ago that called Domako her hero.
"If I would have known about the contest I would have nominated her," Fox said with a laugh.
One potential wrinkle in the makeover, which was completed in three stages from Thursday through Saturday, was hair.
Fox had been growing her hair out for two years and initially did not want it cut. Finally persuaded, she emerged from the makeover with a sleek, stylish do that is easy to care for.
"Her best friend Kelly said, 'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, just do it!'" recalled Domako.
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