Heidi was a radiant force in the beauty industry, living her dream for over 15 years. She traveled the globe, sharing her artistry with brides, crafting a life of passion, creativity, and boundless opportunities—just as she had always envisioned.
Then, in 2014, a single moment shattered that reality. A tragic accident left her paralyzed, a turn of fate that could have marked the end of everything. But for Heidi, it became the catalyst for an extraordinary rebirth.
Confronted with unimaginable adversity, she unearthed a wellspring of courage she never knew she had. Refusing to surrender to despair, Heidi fought—not just to reclaim her body, but to rediscover joy, serenity, and a profound new purpose. Hers was a journey of relentless resilience, fierce determination, and ultimately, breathtaking transformation.
Heidi had a happy, successful life, until one day changed everything.
Heidi—a London native and proud King’s College graduate—spent over 15 years as a trailblazer in the beauty industry. Her career whisked her across the globe, from the sun-kissed shores of Sydney to the glittering skylines of Dubai, from the vibrant energy of Berlin to the bustling cities of the United States. She was a trusted artist, a confidante to brides, and a creator of unforgettable moments—living a life many only dream of.
Then, in 2014, everything shattered in an instant. A freak accident left her paralyzed, stripping away the world she knew. The career she loved, the independence she cherished—all of it slipped through her fingers. The future she had envisioned seemed lost.
But Heidi refused to let her story end there. In the depths of despair, she unearthed a resilience she never knew she possessed. Day by day, she fought—not just to regain her strength, but to reclaim her joy, her purpose, and her belief in possibility. The journey was grueling, marked by setbacks and small victories, but she pressed forward with unshakable determination.
Today, more than a decade later, Heidi isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving. She has transformed her pain into power, becoming a beacon of hope for thousands. Her story is a testament to the human spirit: no matter how devastating the fall, we can rise—stronger, wiser, and more alive than ever before.
A freak accident happened to the woman and left her paralyzed.
Heidi Herkes, 45, will never forget the night that changed her life—March 2014.
“I’d been out for dinner with friends near my London home,” she recalls. “When I got back, I rushed upstairs to use the loo—but on the sixth step, I lost my footing and fell backward. That’s the last thing I clearly remember.”
What followed was a blur. Her housemate found her, paramedics rushed to the scene, and she was taken to the hospital for emergency surgery. Unconscious, she had no idea she’d suffered a devastating spinal cord injury—or that she would soon wake up to a life forever altered.
“I came to in intensive care, hooked up to machines—a feeding tube, a tracheostomy helping me breathe—with my heartbroken family gathered around me,” Heidi says. “I kept mouthing, ‘I need a hug,’ but the tracheotomy meant I couldn’t speak. Seeing my parents’ faces, I knew something was terribly wrong… I just didn’t yet understand how much had been taken from me.”
Heidi’s diagnosis sounded desperate, but the woman didn’t give up.
Heidi absorbed her diagnosis in stunned silence. The words hit like a physical blow: C4 and C5 spinal cord injury—permanent damage to her neck’s fourth and fifth vertebrae. She would never walk again. Even the use of her arms would be severely limited.
“At 34, I’d built this incredible life,” Heidi recalls. “I was a sought-after bridal artist, running my own business, jetting between Sydney, Dubai, New York. And in one moment, everything changed. Suddenly, I couldn’t even shower without help. How was this real?”
Then, an unexpected light in the darkness.
Six months single after the natural end of a five-year relationship with James, Heidi had been navigating life independently. But fate had other plans. “Two days after my accident,” she says, “I got an email from James out of nowhere—just ‘I miss you.’ He had no idea what had happened.”
When she told him, his response was immediate. “The next day, he walked into my hospital room, past all the tubes and machines, and kissed me like no time had passed,” Heidi remembers. “There were no grand speeches. Just this quiet certainty—he was exactly where he needed to be.”
Heidi was slowly but persistently returning to her normal life, and her condition hasn’t become an obstacle for remaining beautiful.
“In my darkest moments, James became my anchor,” Heidi reflects. “He saw past the wheelchair, the limitations—straight to the woman I still was beneath it all. For the first time since the accident, I dared to hope: maybe I could rebuild a life that still felt like mine.”
After two grueling months in acute care, Heidi transferred to Stoke Mandeville’s renowned spinal injuries unit. Her days became a cycle of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and the exhausting process of adapting to her wheelchair. Simple acts—washing, dressing—now required assistance.
“I sobbed uncontrollably for weeks,” she admits. “The antidepressants helped temporarily, but I knew true healing had to come from within. That fierce, optimistic spirit that had carried me through life? I needed to rediscover it.”
Slowly, she found victory in small triumphs. “Doing my own makeup became sacred—proof I hadn’t lost everything. I’d wheel myself to nail salons or book spray tans, not for vanity, but because these rituals made me feel like Heidi again.”
Now, Heidi is not only a vivid example of style, great taste in fashion and beauty, but also a shining star for those who need her.
Heidi is revolutionizing the world of fashion consultancy with her inclusive, transformative approach. Her signature three-step process—1) Personalized Style Session, 2) Wardrobe Styling, and 3) Personal Shopping & Styling—is designed to help individuals of all abilities, sizes, and styles discover their best selves. With expert color analysis and tailored advice, she ensures every client leaves feeling radiant, confident, and truly seen.
Since launching her business, Heidi has become a beacon of empowerment. One standout collaboration was with Jemima Green, a fellow spinal injury survivor and equestrian, who reclaimed her confidence through a photoshoot orchestrated by Heidi. “Working with Heidi wasn’t just about clothes—it was about rediscovering my joy,” Jemima shares.
What sets Heidi apart is her unshakable authenticity. Despite her own physical challenges, she radiates resilience, proving that style and self-worth transcend limitations. Whether jet-setting abroad or guiding clients toward self-love, Heidi lives life boldly—on her own terms.
Preview photo credit heidiherkes / Instagram, Heidi Herkes / Facebook
