THE WHO

black and white reflection of young woman standing and holding a camera

I am Heather C. Markham

At age thirty-four, I received a life-changing diagnosis: I had a progressive muscular dystrophy and would eventually need a wheelchair. My walking days were going to end much sooner than I’d expected.

reflection of woman sitting on wheelchair in a maxi dress with a flower lei around her neck

With humor and heartbreaking candor, my memoir Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy chronicles my slow decline in mobility and determination to live an extraordinary life—one full of laughter and joy, sand and salt water. Rough Waters is both an inspiring memoir and a courageous call for more empathy from medical professionals, care attendants, and anyone who knows and loves someone with a disability. I believe that limits are only in your mind and nearly anything is possible with the right tools, help, and perseverance.

Despite my body’s betrayal, I have fearlessly leaned into adventures—performing as a belly dancer, falling in love, becoming a ParaSurfer, winning Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, and pursuing my lifelong passion for photography.

Heather in t-shirt and jean shorts holding one hand up to show the sign on the building she is smiling at the camera

1990 after graduation from Texas A&M

Heather in bellydance costume with one hand on hip and back hand up in the air she also has a cast on her leg

2000 first belly dance performance (yes, that’s a walking cast on my leg)

2004 Azhdaha costume, notice leg wasting

surfing dayHeather sitting on a manual wheelchair in a tank top and shorts with her PCA braiding her hair and Heather's golden retriever service dog has paws on Heather's leg

2010 surf day at Wildwood Crest, NJ with Sophie (dog) and Kaitlin

Heather sitting on her power wheelchair in formal dress and fancy dress shoes wearing a pageant sash in front of a banner for Ms Wheelchair America 2014

2013 Ms Wheelchair Kentucky at Ms Wheelchair America pageant

Heather looking directly at the camera while sitting on her power wheelchair she is dressed up for a fancy event wearing fishnet tights, high heeled shoes a ruffled skirt a corset and a shawl her friend is standing next to her

2015 dressed up for a

fancy party

eather wearing a wetsuit laying on a surfboard riding a wave in to the beach

2019 surfing at Carolina Beach, NC

Heather sitting on a power wheelchair in a short fancy dress holding a glass of champagne in front of photos on a gallery wall

2022 Fotonostrum Gallery, Barcelona, Spain with some of my photos

My disability and 15+ years as a power wheelchair user are a good start for supporting my creditability, but I have been continually investing in my education.