SCI Superstar: Heather Grossman

Tragedy hits all of us eventually, but it’s how we transcend it that defines us. Heather Grossman has truly transcended her injury. Shot by a man hired by her ex-husband, she became a C2 vent-dependent quadriplegic. She was 31 with three young children at the time of her injury.

But she didn’t let her injury take her down. She’s become an advocate against domestic violence and a consultant to the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime. Read more about this domestic abuse survivor who’s not afraid to speak the truth.

Why She’s Fearless

While riding in the car with her new husband in 1997 (she had been married previously to a wealthy car dealer in the Florida), Heather was shot. The shooter struck her C2 vertebrae, and her new husband was grazed. The cause? Heather had been deeply embroiled in legal matters at the time regarding child support with her ex-husband, which prosecutors say caused his murderous deed. After years of hiding out Mexico, her ex-husband was found, and he was found guilty of murder in 2006 (as well as the shooter) and both are serving life in prison. 

She’s been able to raise her three children (two boys and a girl) into three accomplished adults and she’s become an outspoken voice against domestic violence. Heather started a nonprofit as well called Heather’s Haven of Hope to benefit the most innocent victims of domestic violence, the children, and she speaks at conferences and seminars on domestic violence, educating her audiences on it’s danger, signs to watch for and how to survive.

One of the most impressive things Heather has also done is become a consultant to the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime in Washington, D.C. She was able to meet many high profile political figures in this role and she was especially close with President George H. Bush.

What’s Next?

Heather was also a candidate for Ms. Wheelchair America. Deciding to run for the state of Arizona, the state she moved to post-injury, she won in 2007. And when Heather competed in the Ms. Wheelchair America pageant later that year, she made history as the first vent-depended quadriplegic to be in that pageant. Heather loves staying in shape as well and uses a e-stim bike as often as she can.

While some people look at Heather’s story and see tragedy, we see a phoenix that has risen from the ashes. A survivor for her children and a dedicated advocate working hard to improve domestic abuse laws in the US, Heather hasn’t let her paralysis limit her highest aspirations. 

— Visit her site: Heather’s Haven of Hope