March 29, 2023

Brooke Ellison on Defying Disability

26 minutes

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Brooke Ellison's incredible life journey is an inspiration to us all. At just 11 years old, she faced the unimaginable - being struck by a car and left paralyzed from the neck down. But instead of giving up, she persevered and defied the odds.

She went on to achieve academic excellence, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard. A masters degree and PhD later, Brooke went on to run for New York State Senate and publish two books. It's no wonder her remarkable life story was turned into a movie, directed by none other than Superman himself, Christopher Reeve!

We were fortunate enough to have Brooke join us for this special episode of CareTalk, where she shares her journey and insights on overcoming disability.

TOPICS
(1:45) The coexistence of fear and hope
(2:03) Brooke’s study of hope
(5:59) Americans with Disabilities Act prioritizing barriers over isolation
(8:29) Are we doing a better job as a society at being more open-minded and inclusive?
(11:36) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(15:23) What it was like to have Christopher Reeve make a movie about her life
(22:58) Advice for those that are uneasy in the presence of someone with disabilities

ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

ABOUT BROOKE ELLISON
Brooke Ellison, PhD is an Associate Professor at Stony Brook University, Interim Program Director of the PhD program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Co-Director of the Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Management. With a background in cognitive neuroscience & public policy from Harvard, she has been committed to changing perceptions & policies on life-saving science for over 15 years.

She's served on the Empire State Stem Cell Board & Board of Directors of the NY Civil Liberties Union. In 2011 she was granted an honorary degree by Rutgers University & chosen as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader & Truman National Security Project Political Partner in 2014 & 2018 respectively. Brooke wrote a memoir "Miracles Happen" which was made into a movie - The Brooke Ellison Story. Her second book, “Look Both Ways,”was released in 2020.

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