Natalie was always the California girl playing softball, volleyball, swimming, cycling and spending her free time in and on the ocean. In her freshman year in high school she decided to focus on softball with the hopes of playing intercollegiate ball at the Division I level. Natalie’s path changed forever on December 29, 2007 when a skiing accident resulted in a cervical spinal cord injury and the experts told her that she would need 24 hour care for the rest of her life. She refused to accept that prognosis and put all of her efforts into intense rehabilitation. After four years she was able to stand and walk short distances with assistance and perform many tasks on her own. Her goal is to walk, then run but in the meantime, Natalie intends to use her degree in public relations to be a voice for others in overcoming adversity and help find a cure for paralysis.