Six questions with Jonathan Heider
Jonathan Heider’s outlook is like that of any other student at the rigorous School of Architecture and Urban Planning: Do it and don’t hold back.
Never mind that he’s a congenital quad amputee. What his professors and peers see in him has nothing to do with physical limitations.
Born in Croatia and adopted by parents in Green Bay, Heider was an energetic child. His parents channeled that energy into a variety of sports. Swimming became his favorite. So much so that in 2010, Heider was accepted to live at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
When he did not make the U.S. team for the 2012 summer Paralympic Games, Heider lost no time plunging into a new game plan – to study architecture and real estate development. Here, he explains what drives him toward his goals and how he hopes to reshape the way we see differently-abled people.
What drew you to architecture?
I feel like I’ve always been building and designing things. I’ve always looks at things with a spatial perspective, so I’m glad I was able to find a route to channel that.
“I’m just part of a new generation [of disabled people] that is all about getting rid of the sappy view of us.”
–John Heider
When I say spatial, I’m talking about what the best possible way is to lay out a room or a space. And, having this disabled background, I look at the spatial side of things differently than most folks do.
I’m taking the building codes class right now, and there are a lot of things the average person doesn’t think about, like having at least 18 inches on either side of a door [opening]. You don’t know how crucial that is for someone like myself. So it’s all about education and understanding where different people are coming from.
What do you like best about the program here?
I love the community aspect of it. Even though there are guidelines and rules to everything, you can still go out on a limb and do your own thing. At the same time, you’ve got people there to support you in your risk-taking.
And while there’s a community feel here, there’s also that competitive edge. I’ve got that competitiveness from being a Paralympic athlete. I thrive on it. It’s powerful, the way that it all comes together in this place.
Where does your confidence come from?
I’m a strong, motivated person in general. But it also comes from the fact that I’ve been knocked down or told “no” so many times in the past that it’s sort of giving me that edge, like “yeah, I’m going to do it no matter what, now.” Maybe it comes off a little too strong at times, like I’m fighting the system. But I’m going to take as many risks as it takes to get to the result that I want.
You don’t like to be described as “inspirational,” even though you do a lot of motivational speaking. Why is that?
I’m just part of a new generation [of disabled people] that is all about getting rid of the sappy view of us. We want to be like, “this is who I am, and this is who I’m going to be.” It’s more edgy. It gets the message out there that, “yes, we may be your inspiration, but we’re going to change that word – inspiration – into something more motivating.”
Architecture is a rigorous degree. How do you keep yourself going?
Here in architecture, you look up to famous people and you want to be the next Louis Kahn or Le Corbusier. And that’s what drives me. Also, I see people who’ve graduated with their architecture degrees and now are making over $100,000 a year. That’s a motivation to be on top.
What are your goals after graduation?
My dream is to open up my own architecture firm with the real estate part as well. I’d love to buy and sell my own properties that I design. It doesn’t matter if it’s residential or commercial as long as the architecture and the real estate are joined.
