Erika Hammerschmidt
Read a letter from Erika...

Erika Hammerschmidt was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and Tourette Syndrome at the age of 11. She has faced her challenges with the help of family members, friends, teachers, and her extraordinary skills in language. In 2004 she graduated from Augsburg College with majors in German and Spanish and a minor in studio arts. Shortly afterwards, she married John Ricker, another Augsburg College student on the autism spectrum. They live in Richfield, Minnesota. Besides studying languages, Erika enjoys science fiction, drawing, painting, making jewelry, and keeping pets and plants. She and John have adopted and helped rehabilitate a parrot named Rain Man, who was found running loose in the street and had severe behavior problems for many years. John and Erika give speeches to schools and support groups. They plan some day to write a book together about their many different experiences as a couple on the autism spectrum.