Attitude is everything—and this week’s storytellers prove it. Even when life throws challenges their way, they show how perspective and perseverance can make all the difference.

Part 1: Paralyzed but undeterred, Scott Imbrie is on a mission to regain movement.

Part 2: After an accident leaves them with severe burns on over a third of their body, Emily Hespeler works to find their way back to themselves.

Scott Imbrie, BCI Pioneer, Scott is an incomplete quadriplegic with fine motor skill limitations. His spinal cord injury (C4 through C6) happened from a car accident in 1985 when the seat belt failed. Today Scott is a participant in spinal cord injury research at the University of Chicago where he controls a robotic arm and hand with sensory feed-back. The goal of this study is to restore independents to people with spinal cord injuries. His story is about hope and determination. 

Emily Hespeler is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS), burn survivor, speaker, and storyteller based in New York City. Drawing from their experiences after a major burn injury, Emily combines professional expertise in recreation therapy with powerful storytelling to inspire others to embrace their inner strengths. In their everyday life, Emily finds joy in simple routines: daily walks, spontaneous conversations with strangers, and their weekly jar of peanut butter.

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