Erica has lived with disability since childhood, and it has never stopped her from exploring the world.
A passionate traveller and dog lover who works in the inclusion space, she believes in giving anything a go.
A typical day starts with Erica walking her rescue dogs, Charlie and Butterball, before logging on to work.
‘My dogs make sure that I get outside every day and go for a walk,’ says Erica.
‘It’s important for my mental health and my disability. It keeps me moving and pushes my limits, because the dogs always want to walk a little further than I might like.’
When Erica was 5 years old, she contracted meningococcal septicaemia, losing her left leg. After years of operations, her right leg was also amputated.
Her amputation became part of everyday life, shaping how Erica moved, travelled and made decisions along the way.
‘I’ve always had this attitude of believing I’m pretty much able to do anything if I just give it a go.’
This doesn’t mean it’s always been easy for Erica.
‘There are times when I’m not able to wear my prosthesis and I rely on others a little bit more. That can get anyone down,’ Erica says.
But in those moments, Erica draws on the strength she has built since childhood.
‘The way you colour the inside of your mind is the way you colour the world outside,’ she says.
Erica credits her family, especially her mum, for helping her build this positive outlook.
Today, Erica brings this perspective to her work in diversity, equity and inclusion, using her lived experience to create change. She has also helped lead her organisation’s disability support network.
‘I get so much fulfilment from connecting with people across my organisation and advocating for better internal policies.’
Outside of work, one of Erica’s biggest passions is travelling solo.
Her travels have taken her across Europe, on road trips through the United States and to Japan many times. She also volunteered for 3 months in Nepal.
One of her favourite memories is paragliding in Nepal. But just before take-off, she realised there was a problem.
‘The prosthetics I wore at the time could easily slip on and off,’ Erica says.
‘At the last minute, I had to cut foot holes in my pants on the mountain to make sure I could keep my prosthetics on while I was flying around.’
She laughs when she tells the story.
‘That’s just so me. I’m usually figuring out ways to adapt on the go.’
Moments like this show why Erica wants people to think differently about disability and what’s possible.
‘Be open to changing the way you think about what a person with disability can and can’t do. And what they may or may not need,’ she says.
‘The world is just as much our oyster as it is anyone else’s.’