Meghan (aka: Meg) Erickson
Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Somerset, WI
HC (Her Campus): How did you come to have your leg amputated?
Meghan: I had a birth defect called Amniotic Band Syndrome, which is when the amniotic sac ruptures and breaks open. Imagine it as a rubber band that ended up wrapping around all four of my limbs. It cut down to the bone on my right leg, so it was amputated at the knee when I was six months old. I was lucky enough that the amputation was at the knee instead of higher, so a prosthetic is able to fit. I am able to walk with a prosthetic, and I didn’t lose any other limbs, which is sometimes the case. In severe cases the amniotic sac can wrap around faces or torsos.
HC: What is the hardest part about having a prosthetic?
M: The hardest part was growing up and having to learn how to do things differently than other people. Little things like driving, riding a bike, and going up stairs are some things that I’ve had to adapt to. I am fortunate to have learned how to walk with one, versus learning how to walk again after losing a leg. My leg is very high-tech; the knee is computerized, and that allows me to be more functional and makes everyday activities easier.
HC: How did you get involved with Paralympic skiing?
M: When I was seven I was at a swimming lesson, and someone approached my family and asked if I had tried adaptive skiing. I had not at that point, and they got me in contact with an adaptive program in the Twin Cities that taught people how to ski. I started skiing that winter with the program. I started racing when I was ten years old, and I was named to the U.S. Paralympic Developmental team when I was 15. I began to train for the Paralympics, and had the opportunity to travel across the country and to Canada for different training opportunities and to compete in races.
HC: What were some of your best experiences from the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team?
M: Having the opportunity to travel across the country was amazing. I medaled in my first race after being named to the developmental team; that was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I made lifelong friendships with my teammates while we were all traveling and doing what we loved. Unfortunately, when it came time to name the 2014 Sochi Olympic/Paralympic team, I missed the qualifying cut by one person. That was when I decided to focus on graduating high school and preparing to come to WSU.
HC: What is something you wish able-bodied people knew about disabilities?
M: I can’t speak for everyone, but I know prejudices and preconceptions exist, and I want to bring more awareness to the fact that having any type of disability does not define you. People with disabilities are just as capable of doing everything else able-bodied people can do; we just have to adapt and do it a little differently. I hope that I can be positive role model for younger people growing up with disabilities. I want them to know that they can accomplish their goals and nothing can stop them from reaching their dreams.
HC: What is your proudest accomplishment so far in your life?
M: My two proudest moments in my life are my experiences with making the U.S. Paralympic team, and being accepted into the nursing program here at WSU.
HC: Is there someone who has inspired you to go out and achieve your goals?
M: My parents have had the biggest influence in my life. They have always encouraged me to be the best I can be in whatever aspect of my life I am focusing on at that point. When I was younger they never let me feel sorry for myself for having a disability. They pushed me to try everything, and do everything. I am so grateful they gave me this mindset, because I know I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the things in my life without it.
HC: What made you decide to want to become a nurse?
M: I’ve known since sixth grade that I wanted to be a nurse. My mom is a nurse, and that has had a huge influence on me wanting to become one too. I’ve had many experiences throughout my life with nurses, both good and bad. I want to be able to have a positive impact on people during one of the most vulnerable times in their life. I want to help make that experience better for them in any way that I can.
HC: What is your next goal in life?
M: I want to graduate from college, and I want to work as a nurse in a surgical setting. I am considering going on to school after a few years to become a nurse anesthetist, to assist in putting people to sleep during surgery. I hope to someday coach adaptive skiing, and work with kids with disabilities. I also really want to travel the world, and move somewhere other than the Midwest to work and live for a few years. I am excited to see where the future takes me.
Follow Meg on Instagram @meg.erickson7 to see what she’s up to!