U.S. Figure Skating: 2020 Get Up Ambassadors

One month before turning 20 years old, Johnson was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Having dealt with the side effects and health issues of the disease since she was young, her childhood was not the same as most kids. Skating, though, was one thing that helped her continue to get up — on and off the ice.

After four years overcoming kidney and liver failure, battling chronic pancreatitis, spending 150 days in the hospital and enduring four abdominal surgeries within six months, she’s back on the ice and has reconnected with her love of skating

“We all fall, but we all have the choice: Will the fall have the final word? Or will we get up? I got up —and if I can, cystic fibrosis and all, you can, too,” she said.



Annie Clark
Clark embodies the true Get Up attitude.

Born without forearms and hands, Clark has been persevering since she was a baby. She was adopted by her loving parents from an orphanage in China, where the caretakers told them that she had a determination unlike anyone else.

Being so determined even at such a young age, Clark kept pursuing her dreams despite the circumstances and even won a national handwriting contest at age 7.

She didn’t stop there. At age 10, Clark defied the odds and published her own book titled Write Right Where I Am

Rather than dwelling on what she was not given, Clark continues to surprise the world and prove that nothing is impossible with a positive attitude and persistence.

Julie MacPherson
This adult skater participates on two synchronized skating teams while holding down a full-time job. Having skated since she was 4 years old, MacPherson is no stranger to the competitive sport.

But early in 2019, MacPherson began experiencing excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss and other related symptoms. She was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. MacPherson underwent abdominal surgery to remove the tumor, but due to complications of the tumor rupturing during the procedure, her road to recovery was prolonged.

Despite the pain and battling through treatments, she continued to be a rock for her team and attended practices and competitions, cheering from the rink boards.

“She’s been an absolute inspiration as a teammate and role model in many aspects of life,” one of her teammates said.

The thought of getting back on the ice was what fueled Julie’s drive to overcome thecurveball life threw her way. Today, Julie is cancer free, able to skate and is working toward her goal of competing at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.



Lily Ramsby
Nicknamed “The Comeback Kid,” Ramsby has gotten back up each time after sustaining eight significant injuries during her skating career.

Having overcome some of those injuries as a young skater, Ramsby’s real Get Up story began one day at practice when she crumbled to the ice while attempting a jump. Face down, semi-conscious, shaking, unable to speak clearly, Ramsby was rushed to the hospital.

After numerous tests and misdiagnoses, a doctor concluded that she had postural orthostatic tachycardia. This disorder resulted in her consistently fainting while doing routine daily tasks.

Being such an athletic and competitive person, Ramsby became depressed. She found it hard to get out of bed and attend school, let alone get back on the ice.

Ramsby found help, however, in the success stories of other athletes who have overcome POTS and returned to their sports. Today, she skates for her high school team and continues to work toward successfully competing again.