ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

I lost both my feet to frostbite

She is now teaching others to fly - by Getty Images
  • 05 Aug 2019
I lost both my feet to frostbite

A high-flying acrobat who lost her legs due to frostbite is teaching others to fly with her own circus school.

Aerial silks performer Erin Ball, 39, began an accessible training academy for mixed-ability students after losing both her lower legs to frostbite in 2014.

After getting lost in the woods near her home in Kingston, Ontario, a police dog found her six days later in the freezing cold, unconscious and fighting for her life. Doctors were forced to amputate her damaged feet and part of her lower legs.

The 39-year-old admits she struggled with depression after the surgery. Erin told Barcroft TV: “It was the end of the road when I went into the woods, I was completely lost. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, I sat down and didn’t know what to do. 

“When I went to get up, I couldn’t feel my feet, they had gotten really wet because I had walked through snow. “I started to panic and scream for help, obviously nobody came, I don’t remember anything after that.”

Erin’s mother, Kathleen Ball said: “I remember it was a Thursday, I received a phone call from the police. “They said they think they found her, and they’ll be flying her in by helicopter.”

Erin spent the year following her surgery withdrawn, isolated and in bed wishing she would die.

Getty Images

Doctors were forced to amputate Erin's damaged feet and part of her lower legs after she got lost in the woods

Getty Images

Before losing her legs, Erin had spent several years as a circus arts performer, specialising in acrobatics and aerials. Erin explained: “I started learning circus about 11 years ago and I just loved it. I discovered aerial arts and was just completely hooked. 

“When I perform in front of people, I feel excited, nervous and like it’s where I should be. “Acrobatics plays a huge role, if I am not doing it or teaching it, I’m thinking about it.”

Desperately wanting to return to the performing art she once loved, Erin was unsure if it was even possible. Erin said: “It felt like my circus career was over. “I didn’t know anybody who was in the disabled community. “All I knew about disability and using wheelchairs was that it was bad. I feel that was the message that was put out in a lot of society.” 

Erin began physiotherapy and decided to learn to walk again. She recognised the additional psychological benefits practising circus skills gave her, this inspired her to open a school to teach other people acrobatics. 

One student, Emma Aslett said: “When I started two and a half years ago with circus, I was pretty much a wreck.  “I wasn’t really functioning that well and since starting circus it gave me a creative outlet, a physical outlet, a family and a home. “It’s made me realise I’m capable of so much.”

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Pinned under my car for 12 hours - HOW I SURVIVED

Pinned under my car for 12 hours - HOW I SURVIVED

Mum diagnosed with rare cancer in her foot after first baby saved by her HIGH HEELS

Mum diagnosed with rare cancer in her foot after first baby saved by her HIGH HEELS

Brisbane woman set to sue New York authorities after LOSING LEGS in subway train accident

Brisbane woman set to sue New York authorities after LOSING LEGS in subway train accident

Do we cut off our girl's leg?

Do we cut off our girl's leg?

{headline}

{headline}

Woman has pedicure and loses her foot

Woman has pedicure and loses her foot

Amputation horror: how I saved my son’s leg

Amputation horror: how I saved my son’s leg

A bluebottle nearly took my leg: my amputation nightmare!

A bluebottle nearly took my leg: my amputation nightmare!

{headline}

{headline}

Father of two loses his legs after charging battery

Father of two loses his legs after charging battery

Sickening moment acrobat plunges 40-feet in front of horrified crowd

Sickening moment acrobat plunges 40-feet in front of horrified crowd

Woman faces amputation after being hit by a BUS on holiday

Woman faces amputation after being hit by a BUS on holiday

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

Waitress saves boy who was tortured by his parents by getting him to secretly signal for help

Waitress saves boy who was tortured by his parents by getting him to secretly signal for help

I carried my leg out of the bush!

I carried my leg out of the bush!

Dad's got robot arms!

Dad's got robot arms!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!