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    Contact Kerri Knudson
    MWU First Attendant

As part of their community service during their reign, all current MWU Titleholders speak for no charge.

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First Attendant to Ms. Wheelchair Utah, Brittany Stoddard, Kerri Knudson was born with Arthrogryposis. For the last 29 years she has been in a wheelchair. But she has not let it keep her down! She grew up in California and loves to be near the ocean!  She has an amazing family in which she is the only girl with 3 brothers. As a family growing up they did a lot of traveling and adventures together. She has visited many countries including: Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain. She loves seeing the world and its many cultures. But the thing she loves more than anything is being a mom to her 3 year old little girl named London. By the time Kerri was 12 she had 14 surgeries. All without the help of pain medication, which she has an allergic reaction to. One particular surgery was a turning point for Kerri. She was 8 years old and had her hips, knees and ankles reconstructed. Only 2 days after surgery she was being moved and stretched to be fitted for new leg braces. Without pain medication there was a lot of screaming and crying.Her doctor came in the room and told her firmly it was time to get a grip. He was remembered to have said, "I can't help you. I can't give you medicine to take the pain away. So you need to put a smile on your face and heal yourself." That was when Kerri realized that attitude was the only thing that can change your circumstances. That doesn't mean pain goes away. It just means you deal with it differently.  Since she could she has spread her message to those around her. She has had the opportunity to speak to youth groups, high schools, church groups and a few college groups about her message.She also hopes to be able to reach other single mothers like herself with her and help them cope with the struggles that come with that lifestyle as well. She continues to take the chance to tell people that Life is not about ability it is about ATTITUDE!