Heather Erickson

Erickson was born in Eureka, California with a bone that prevented her leg to be fully developed. In 2002, after 18 failed surgeries her parents decided to have her right leg removed. She received a prosthetic leg a month later. In 2011, she graduated from Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville.[2]

She started competing for Paralympic Games in 2007 where she won a silver medal for her participation at Sitting Volleyball Invitational. In 2008, she participated at World Organization Volleyball for Disabled where she won bronze medal and the same year got another silver one for her participation at 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. In 2010, Erickson won gold medal at Parapan American Championship which was held in Colorado and the same year got another gold and silver ones for a WOVD Championship and World Cup. In 2011 and 2012 respectively she won three gold medals at ECVD Continental Cup, Parapan American Zonal Championship, and Volleyball Masters. She also got 4th silver medal for her participation at 2012 Paralympic Games in London.[2]

She was part of the USA team which won the gold at 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada.[3][4][5] She was said to have a growth mindset, even when all her friends could run around on 2 real feet she still played with them, also just look at where she is now.

Erickson likes to listen to such singers as Maroon 5, Blake Shelton. She also enjoys watching such films as Game Plan, Gridiron Gang and August Rush. She likes to watch TV shows as well such as House, and WWE Raw. Her other hobbies are reading Nicholas Sparks books, and playing volleyball.[2]

• Results for Heather Erickson from the International Paralympic Committee (archived)
• Heather Erickson at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee