On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, one of our favourite guests is back! Ellen Schwartz is an inspiration to everyone lucky enough to know her. Her book Without One Word Spoken: 25 Life Lessons from Jacob has now gone into a new edition and been updated with 8 new chapters called, “Jacob’s Story Continues.”

Ellen Schwartz’s beautiful book Without One Word Spoken: 25 Life Lessons from Jacob, became a Globe and Mail bestseller, and it tells the story of Ellen’s beloved son Jacob, who was born with a rare neurodegenerative disease called Canavan Disease. And the world learned from Jacob Schwartz, who was full of love and of goodness about how to be a better person and how to live life with love, positivity and everything that’s good in this world.

Ellen Schwartz is an elementary school teacher, community leader, author, public speaker and advocate for research awareness and screening for neurodegenerative diseases.

As founder of Project Give Back, she links her decades of teaching, together with her personal passion for charitable causes. She co-founded Jacob’s Ladder, Canadian Foundation for the Control of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Jacob’s Ladder raised over three million dollars towards research, education and awareness into neurodegenerative illnesses. Ellen has written two books. Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Life to the Fullest, and a brand new edition of Without One Word Spoken: 25 Life Lessons from Jacob, the Compelling Story of a Child’s Miraculous Life, with 8 new chapters.

Ellen has always had the ability to move and inspire people due to her unwavering belief in the impact Jacob made on the world, an impact and a legacy that was all about love, courage, hope, joy and bringing people together. Ellen’s commitment to education and research into neurodegenerative diseases, and her heartfelt desire to help others cope with life's toughest challenges, has made her one of the most inspirational women in Canada. She has received numerous accolades and honours, including being awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal as well as the Meritorious Service Decoration by the Governor General of Canada, and a Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian Award. Just recently, she was named Philanthropist of the Year by Brilliant Minded Women.

She is married to Jeff and is the mother of the three children and her beautiful son Jacob whose memory we honour and Jacob continues to be honoured everyday, and is a miracle that will live on in the Schwartz family’s and in everyone’s hearts forever.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Ellen’s beloved son Jacob Schwartz.

Check out Ellen and her daughter Bev’s song “Your Song”: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/ellen-and-bev/1547169889

Check out “I Rise Above”:

https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/friends-of-jake/1238471299

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