“Compassion and kindness are two of the best characteristics someone can have. I learned this from my grandparents and live my life this way. You never know what a person is going through in life and the way you treat others has an impact.” -Heidi Peterson
Heidi Petersen is the former Ms. World Universal Elite, Model, and a 20 year community volunteer and advocate for the following organizations:
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Ambassador
- Community Animal Welfare Society: Nonprofit Utah animal rescue, Dog Foster
- Historic Wendover Airfield Museum: Administrative Support
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary: Veterans Support
- Stil She Rose: Mental Wellness Organization focused on women and teens in pageantry, Ambassador
Heidi also provides community outreach on topics such as diversity and inclusion and self-care with a focus on multiple sclerosis awareness and mental wellness.
In 2015 Heidi was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. Resulting nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body. MS causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity, and duration can vary from person to person. There is no cure for MS.
Heidi says; “I suffered with severe depression and isolation and I knew I had to make positive changes in my life and rewrite my story. In 2021 I decided to make 2022 my “Year of Becoming”. For me, this meant finding myself again, loving who I was, and doing something completely outside of my comfort zone, so I decided to try pageants.”
When asked what her greatest accomplishment is, Heidi proudly states, “My greatest accomplishment has been regaining my power and finding my voice again. I want to continue having a positive impact in my community. With the unpredictable road of having multiple sclerosis, I take everything a day at a time. In the near future I will be focusing heavily on multiple sclerosis outreach within the black community.
You can follow this phenomenal queen on IG @heidipetelife, Email: heidipetelife@gmail.com
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