Carli Carter: Defying Odds

Name: Carli Carter
Year: Proud Freshman
Major: Mass Communication
 
Carli (left) with friend Carly Cook

Carli Carter is a far cry from fitting the mold of the average college student. She is smart, gorgeous, outgoing, and takes pride in living on campus and being a member of her sorority, Delta Gamma. It’s what’s behind her spirited exterior, however, that makes her something extraordinary.
 
When she was just 2 years old, Carli was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. At that time, doctors at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah warned her parents that she probably wouldn’t live to a very old age and that if she did, she would be permanently confined to a wheelchair. Carli continued to live, and does use a wheelchair. Today, Carli is defying the odds and loving every minute of her college experience and her life.
 
As an advocate, spokesperson, and Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Carli has raised awareness, funds and hope for individuals in similar  situations. She is an outstanding inspiration to everyone around her, no matter their status or ability.
Carli has made a greater impact in her teenage years than most people do in an entire lifetime, making her a philanthropic giant within the community and on our University of Utah campus.
 
 
HC: What were some of your duties and experiences as you served as MDA Ambassador?:  As the MDA Ambassador, I had the opportunity to travel all over Utah and Nevada making public appearances to educate about neuromuscular diseases. I would encourage people to make donations that help fund Summer Camps for nearly 600 children with neuromuscular diseases, as well as funding research for finding a cure.  In addition to being the MDA Ambassador, I was named the Fire Fighters State Ambassador for the “Fill the Boot Campaign,” which is also to help raise money for research.  Some of the speaking engagements that I participated in were Beat the Pro hosted by Wesley Ruff of ABC, The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, Beaujolais Nouveau held at the world famous La Caille restaurant and the Harley Ride to Wendover.  (That was probably my favorite because I got to be on stage with the rock group RATT and fly around in a helicopter.) 
 
HC: How do you feel about living on campus?  It was hard at first but I love being on campus.  The only thing I don’t like is the fact that the dorms aren’t very homey.  Usually I am so busy that I am not really there too much, so it works.  I love living on my own.  I have found my complete independence and have learned to rely a lot more on myself.  There is always so much to do on campus that I rarely have to leave, other than to go home to Orem.
 
HC: What are your favorite things about being a student at the U?  I love the diversity of the U.  I was just telling my friend that no one really notices that I am in a wheelchair.  I am treated differently than when I was in high school.  Everyone just does their own thing and for the most part, I feel like I really fit in.   I love being around a lot of people, and there is always something happening.
 
HC: What activities and clubs are you involved in at the U?  I actually just became an official member of the Beta Gamma chapter of the Delta Gamma fraternity.  I absolutely love it.  Those girls, all of them not just the ones in my house, are so extremely sweet and supportive.   The friends I have made I know are going to last forever.  They have already been there for me when I was struggling.  Delta Gamma is by far the best house on the row though.  I love how involved in the community we are.
 
HC: Why did you choose to study Mass Communication?I decided on this major because, basically, talking is my only talent. Being involved with MDA, traveling and speaking in front of so many, I realized that I have a passion for public speaking.  I also needed to find a career that I could support myself (and my shopping habits) from a wheelchair.  My first choice would have been a veterinarian, but I decided against that when I saw that you had to lift animals.  Being in wheelchair, I decided to focus on something I could actually have the capacity to do.  I also love being around people.  My mom always tells people that she can’t take me anywhere without someone coming up to me and asking why I am in a wheelchair. 
 
HC: What are your goals for the future?  Graduate from college, land a great job reporting the news or have my own talk show, get married and have a family – pretty ordinary goals.  I will most likely just start out locally, and then work my way up to the big leagues.
 
HC: If you could give any advice to incoming freshmen, what would it be?  I know everyone says this, but just get involved.  I know some people who moved here from out of state or just moved a little ways from home and they are having a hard time.  It’s because they aren’t getting involved.  They just stay in their room all day every day.  Join a sorority or a fraternity, ASUU, or any club (there are a ton).  You get out of college what you put into it.  This is the time to experience things you hadn’t before.  You are just barely moving away from home, making new friends, dating, and getting a real education.  This is the time to be you.  Being LDS, they say that you really grow up when you serve a mission.  With my disability, it is most likely that I will not be able to, so college will be my time to grow.  This is my mission.  My education and experiences at the U will mold much of my future.