Heidi’s story: Empowerment after spinal cord injury
4 August 2025
Meet Heidi:
- Social media influencer
- Model and actress
- Taking to the runway at our Front Row: Next Gen fashion show and fundraising event
“I’m Heidi and back in 2014, aged 34, I tripped and fell backwards down some stairs. It was a short fall, but I broke my neck and sustained a spinal cord injury which left me paralysed from the chest down. All four of my limbs are affected – I can’t walk, but after numerous operations on my hands I’ve regained quite a lot of movement in my fingers. This has given me the independence I need to get around using my electric wheelchair.
I first discovered Back Up when I was in rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital – I was amazed at the work that they did to help, encourage and empower people with spinal cord injuries. I soon got the Back Up bug and in 2016 I signed up for the charity’s ski-karting course in Sweden. It was absolutely freezing, but it was one of the most incredible things I have ever done.
The course really brought me out of my shell following such a life-changing accident. It was really empowering to share that experience with other people who were in a similar situation to me. The carers and buddies were brilliant too, and they gave so much time and energy to make sure we all had the best experience.
If I could give one piece of advice to someone with a spinal cord injury, I would say: even if things seem really bad in the beginning, it does get better and it’s really important to celebrate the small wins. You need to understand your disability and it’s okay not to be optimistic at the start – there’s a lot to digest and you have to learn to adapt. But the best way to do that is by learning from people and organisations like Back Up because you can share your thoughts, emotions and experiences with people who truly understand. Humans are powerful, and you can live a really good life regardless of your situation if you put your mind to it.”
Front Row: Next Gen – sparkles, style and support
“When I heard Front Row was returning with a whole new look in 2025, I really wanted to be a model again. The event is a wonderful celebration of disability, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, and I just love the buzz of it all.
I’m really looking forward to meeting new people as well as seeing lots of familiar faces, sharing the excitement and experiences all together. Plus you can’t beat a bit of funny drama on the night – last year I ran out of time getting changed and I ended up taking to the runway without any shoes on!
Lisa the stylist is absolutely wonderful at embracing style and accessibility. If she could dress me in anything this year, I would love it to be something sparkly and fitted. Having said that, she always knows exactly what suits everybody, so I’m happily leaving it up to her.
Front Row: Next Gen is invigorating, celebratory and empowering! It’s an amazing event which raises lots of money for Back Up to help people affected by spinal cord injury live their best lives. You’ll end the evening feeling warm and fuzzy with a real buzz, so don’t miss out – book your tickets today!”
