Katy Arvidson, Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA | Every Little Bit
11/14/2025 | 2m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
Katy Arvidson uses her title as Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA to provide mental health advocacy.
Katy Arvidson of Eagle River was diagnosed with a degenerative disease as a child and became reliant on a wheelchair as an adult. After experiencing her own depression, she now uses her title of Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA to advocate for the mental health of people with disabilities.
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Every Little Bit is a local public television program presented by AK
Katy Arvidson, Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA | Every Little Bit
11/14/2025 | 2m 20sVideo has Closed Captions
Katy Arvidson of Eagle River was diagnosed with a degenerative disease as a child and became reliant on a wheelchair as an adult. After experiencing her own depression, she now uses her title of Ms. Wheelchair Alaska USA to advocate for the mental health of people with disabilities.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe Crown definitely motivated me and got me out of my shell, and pushed me to really start doing things, I speak about my life and my experiences and my story I've been really vulnerable throughout this whole pageant process.
And I think that is why people come up to me and say, you changed my life.
I am Kate Arvidson.
I was miss Wheelchair Alaska USA 2024. my platform title was Moving Beyond Surviving to thriving.
what I talk about is the connection between disability and mental health.
I try to bring to people's attention how mental health for people with disabilities can look a little bit different than, people who are not disabled.
I've been able to target conferences and, get that message out there and people like literally start thinking, I never thought about it that way before.
it's lonely and kind of hopeless.
one of the big things was losing my ability to work.
I worked with kids with mental health problems.
in a residential setting.
I mean, these were tough kids.
But I really loved that work.
For me, it turned in to a really significant depression.
actually, until probably about 3 or 4 years ago, I started pulling myself out of it because I got mental health treatment.
being able to come at it from both perspectives, which I have, helps educate other providers.
How do you have hope.
and then learning how to take care of myself and redefining my purpose.
I'm doing everything I can.
To be involved in the community and to to help others understand.
And that brings me meaning and purpose and joy.
I want to, take my abilities and my strengths and share those with the world
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Every Little Bit is a local public television program presented by AK