Against All Odds: Grace Johnson Defies Heart Condition While Achieving Success on the Diamond

When Grace Johnson was born, the odds were high that, without risky surgery, she’d likely only live into her 20s, let alone become a mainstay in the infield and at bat in the Portland State University women’s softball program.

The redshirt junior weighed just under six pounds when she was born and kept losing weight. Surgery was recommended, but even that looked iffy.

A series of tests revealed a ventricular septal defect, essentially a hole in the wall separating the heart’s chambers. Surgery was called for as soon as she gained enough weight. But that didn’t happen. She’d fall asleep while feeding and couldn’t gain weight. Eventually, that was accomplished through a feeding tube while hospitalized after losing a pound in one week.

At Stanford Medical Center, they discovered she didn’t have one hole, she had two holes in the heart walls. Doctors said survival beyond her 20’s was doubtful without the surgery. Plus, her weak heart would keep her from much exertion.

So, at two months, Grace Johnson had eight hours of open-heart surgery, during which her blood pressure dropped so low doctors considered another surgery to install a pacemaker (they didn’t then, but that comes later).

That successful surgery set the stage for a more-or-less normal childhood, if one haunted by the limitations caused by her early health problems.    

Getting into sports came naturally being from a sports family. Her mom (Sarah) was involved in track and was a high school cheerleader. Dad (Sean) was a three-sport athlete in high school and played community college basketball. A brother, also Sean, was active in sports in middle and high school and a grandfather played football at Air Force.

Growing up, Johnson played soccer and basketball and also tried track and volleyball in middle school. Her consistent sport throughout that time was softball.

“I really enjoyed soccer and basketball, but unfortunately, they weren’t ideal for me health-wise. Soccer involved a lot of running, too intense for my heart, and getting elbowed or hit in the chest (in basketball) wasn’t something I could risk,” she recalled.

Softball was the one sport “I could consistently stick with because of my heart condition.”

And, it turned out, she was very good at it.

At Oakmont High School, northeast of Sacramento, she was a 2019 first team all-league selection. She also was named to Maxpreps San Joaquin All-Section and Sac Bee All-Metro teams her senior year.

That’s what brought her to the attention of PSU Head Softball Coach Meadow McWhorter.     

It was during COVID, so all the PSU coaching staff had to go on was video, McWhorter remembered. “Her athleticism shined through the screen. After talking with her, we were so excited to welcome her to the Viking family.”

Johnson committed to PSU after a campus visit with her father.

“Even though the visit was quick, it felt right. On our way back, while sitting in Sacramento airport, I got a call from Coachie, and that’s when I made my decision…I committed right there from the airport, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said.

Johnson had an impact her first year as a Viking.

As a freshman, she started 23 games and played in 29. She hit .250 (15-60), scored six runs, had four multi-hit games and recorded a .267 slugging average. She was third on the team with 5-for-6 stolen bases. Defensively, she had a 1,000 fielding percentage in the outfield, tallied 33 putouts and one assist and turned a double play.

But her early heart issues were still shadowing her.    

Throughout her sports career, she had regular heart monitor checkups and learned to listen to her body. Following that first season at PSU, something wasn’t right.

“In early October, I got a call saying I needed to go to the nearest hospital immediately. I had developed an AV block, which meant the electrical signals in my heart were getting delayed or blocked. My heart rate was stuck between 30-45 beats per minute, no matter what I was doing,” she said.

That led to her finally needing the pacemaker she’d avoided as an infant. And, that was tough mentally. Getting that pacemaker was the biggest mental challenge she’d had to overcome, she said…. “the most anxious and nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever gone through. Just knowing that something was going to be placed in my body to help my heart beat correctly was overwhelming and there were a lot of emotions leading up to the surgery.”

Physically, she followed her medical instructions and recovered pretty well. Recovery took about a month and a half. But mentally, “it took me a minute. It was hard dealing with the fear, the what-ifs and the feeling that I was falling behind while everyone else was still playing. I had to learn to trust my body again and, more than anything, rebuild my confidence.” There were moments she felt disconnected and wondered if she’d ever be the same on the field.

Johnson credits those around her for helping dig out of her mental struggles. “My coaches, teammates and family never gave up on me even when I wasn’t sure I was ready.”

And, helping others who’ve struggled with serious health issues has become a passion for her.

There were times as she struggled with the limitations caused by her heart condition, she didn’t think playing at the Division 1 level was possible.

“But I’ve learned that your situation doesn’t define your limits. Your mindset does.  You have to be patient and believe that your hard work and resilience do count even if the road is a little longer or harder. Also, rely on those around you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You aren’t alone. Most importantly, never lose sight of why you started. There is a place for you if you love your sport and are willing to fight for it. How far you can go might surprise you,” Johnson said.

While McWhorter recognizes that Johnson has struggled occasionally with her situation, she isn’t surprised that she’s fought through it and is having a strong 2025 season.

“Time and again, I have watched Grace be resilient and take on tough moments with grace. She’s a fighter, through this process, she was never knocked down. Always took things in stride, with a smile. She has a quiet confidence about her, and it has been rewarding to watch her succeed, play with joy and now have the opportunity to share her story. Grace inspires everyone around her, and I know she will be for any young person walking a similar path,” she said.

Because of redshirting her sophomore year, Johnson is a senior academically and will graduate this year. She’s majoring in Public Health administration.

“A big part of my passion for this field comes from my own medical journey. I went through a lot as a baby, and I was given a chance at life because of the care and support I received. I’ve always carried that with me and I’ve always known that one day I wanted to give back,” Johnson said.