Hi, I'm Heather

I'm a quadriplegic. I'm full of joy. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

In 2003 I was a 19-year-old young woman who worked as an assistant manager of a movie theater while going to nursing school. I was very busy, but I enjoyed life and was excited about what the future held for me -- things like becoming a nurse, falling in love and getting married and having a family my own.

On November 17, 2003, my life changed in a very drastic way. I'd just left the nursing home where I was assigned to do clinicals for nursing school. I was stopped at a red light, and when it turned green I preceded into the intersection. At that same instant a car driving the opposite direction ran a red light and smashed into my car on the driver's side. The damage happened in an instant, but it would affect me every day for the rest of my life. I sustained a broken neck at the second cervical level which meant that I could no longer breathe on my own and I would be paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of my life.

My life certainly hasn't turned out the way I always hoped and dreamed it would. The life I always dreamed of is no longer attainable, but I haven't given up! I still have a very productive and fulfilling life, and I can honestly say that it's a life that is happy and full of joy. It doesn't mean that I'm not disappointed for the things that I want and can't have, but I've truly been blessed with a gift of joy.

Why I am a Mormon

For starters, I was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so that's "technically" how I was introduced to the Mormon church. However, the reason I'm STILL a Mormon is a completely different thing altogether. I need the teachings of the Mormon church. I don't know how I would live my life as a quadriplegic if I didn't know who I was, why I'm here and where I'm going. If it weren't for the Mormon church and its teachings, I'm sure I would be a bitter and angry person and feel like my one shot at life had been stolen from me in a cruel twist of fate. Fortunately, I do know who I am and why I'm here and that makes all the difference. I often tell people that if they knew what I know, they could be happy like I am despite the challenges that they might face. This website is a great way how to know what I know!

Personal Stories

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

If I didn't know about the Plan of Happiness, I wouldn't be who I am today. As I already said, I'm sure I would feel bitter that my one shot at earthly life had been ruined through no fault of my own. However, I know that I will have all eternity to live in a restored and perfected body. I know that although I most likely won't have any children in my earthly life, that one day I will get to have my own family if I live righteously while on earth. Not only will I have my own family, but we will be able to live together forever since families are forever.

How I live my faith

I currently use my voice-activated laptop to write the monthly newsletter for my ward, as well as the weekly bulletin. I've been doing this for years and I enjoy doing it because it's a way I can still serve. I'm also a visiting teacher and I've been a Relief Society teacher in the past.

What do Mormons believe is the purpose of life?

Heather answered...

We believe that the purpose of life is to be born and receive a physical body. Our life is a test and if we live righteously one day we will be able to live with God. Not just with God, but with our families as well. Life is filled with challenges, but through these challenges we can grow closer to God and become more like Him.
Oliver Meyers answered...

I have gotten this question a lot and it has been one I have always heard about but never understood it but as I learned more about our Heavenly Fathers plan for us it started to make more sense. This life it’s a time for us to be happy and grow it’s a time for us to get ready for what’s a head in our existence. This life is a time for us to get ready to meet God again and say I did follow you.

I know that this life is a time for joy and the way I know to have true joy is by having a family. I know that sometimes my family can drive me crazy but that is where I have found all my joy is by helping and just living with my family. I am so excited to have a family of my own, and have a home of love and happiness where we can grow closer to each other and to our Heavenly Father.

As we learn about happiness and joy we also learn about pain and misery that is just a part of this life yes it is hard and sometimes you wish it could just go away but as we learn about both we can appreciate the good from that bad. And I really think that is one of the biggest reasons we are down here is to learn.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Max answered...

We will talk about gods love for all of us down here on earth.
we will talk about how you can be with your family and loved ones forever.
we will talk about how the gospel of jesus christ has been restored to the earth and the evidence of this restoration which is found in the book of mormon.
we will talk about how god continues to talk to his children like he did in biblicial times!
we will talk about the steps that you need to take to insure eternal happines!
we will talk about any other questions you may have about god, Jesus Christ, and about this church.
we have the truth to share. why dont you just talk to one of us?