6 TED Talks to Inspire People with Paralysis and Disabilities

Coping with a challenging paralysis recovery in Miami is better with the help of TED Talks about paralysis and disabilities. Learn more about them here. 

Starting one’s journey towards paralysis recovery in Miami is nothing short of challenges. It can be emotionally taxing, especially when things are not going your way. Thankfully, it’s easy to access fantastic resources to help you cope, such as TED Talks. Have you had the chance to go over some TED Talk videos before? If not, then you can check out some of the best TED Talks about living with paralysis and disabilities below.

#1. In Search Of The Man Who Broke My Neck by Joshua Prager

Joshua Prager wanTED to play baseball or become a doctor. But life took a surprising turn when he reached 19 years old. Unfortunately, young Joshua got hit by a bus which broke his neck and caused hemiplegic paralysis. 

Twenty years later, he returned to the ill-fated place where he suffered an accident to find the driver. In 2013, he came to the TED Talk stage to candidly share about his experience talking to Abed, the man behind the tragic accident. He also graciously shares to his audience the value of gaining closure and looking forward to a better future.  

#2. A Broken Body Isn’t A Broken Person by Janine Shepherd

Janine Shepherd’s life was never the same again after getting hit by a truck while riding her bicycle in Australia. Everyone thought she wouldn’t walk again, but she proved them wrong by channeling all her energy to healing her body and boosting her morale. A few years later, she made groundbreaking achievements. 

Thanks to all the efforts she put into her recovery journey, she managed to walk again and even earn a commercial pilot’s license. Today, she shares her transformative story through her TED Talk entitled A Broken Body Isn’t a Broken Person. Janine is also a motivational speaker who encourages people to break boundaries and be brave. 

#3. What I Learned When I Conquered the World’s Toughest Triathalon by Minda Dentler

Many people looking for information on paralysis recovery in Miami can learn a thing or two from Minda Dentler, a wheelchair para-athlete who conquered the 2013 Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Instead of letting her disability define what she can and can’t do, she worked hard to qualify for the 2012 Ironman Triathlon. She failed to make it to the cutoff time, but that didn’t deter her from pushing forward and doing better in the next triathlon. In 2013, she completed the racecourse within 14 hours and 39 minutes. 

In 2017, she went to retell the amazing story on the TED Talk stage. Today, Minda continues to inspire people who have paralysis and disability and advocate for polio eradication.

#4. The New Bionics That Let Us Run, Climb and Dance by Hugh Herr 

Hugh Herr is an American engineer who lost his legs because of a freak accident while scaling a mountain in 1982. Over the years, he has become reputable in the bionics and prosthetics manufacturing industry, thanks to his innovative designs. 

Get inspired by his awe-inspiring passion for creating life-changing inventions for disabled people by watching his TED Talk episode with Adrianne Haslet-Davis, an amputee ballroom dancer and a survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing.  

#5. Deep-Sea Living…in a Wheelchair by Sue Austin

Swimming is among the best physical activities for people recovering from paralysis because water provides ample support for weakened muscles. This is why it’s not surprising why TED Talk speaker Sue Austin found a new way to express her creativity through underwater wheelchair swimming. Her jaw-dropping photoshoots aim to reposition disability and promote appreciation for disability arts. 

You can watch her thrilling footage in her 2012 TED Talk video called Deep-Sea Living…in a Wheelchair. It’s a short video that will definitely redefine how you see living with paralysis or disability. 

#6. How my Paralysis Took Me Further Than Walking Ever Could by Malcolm Hollett

Malcolm Hollett’s doctors told him that he would never walk or stand again after his ski incident that caused a severe spinal cord injury. However, this 17-year old did not let his prognosis dampen his hope for healing and recovery. After putting in  time and effort to regain his strength and mobility, he defied the prognosis and expectations of everyone around him.

In 2018, he went to speak at a TED Talk event to encourage his audience to overcome challenges no matter how hard they can get and remember that everything is possible. His TEDx event teaches paralysis survivors to become hopeful and to nurture a solid and unwavering spirit.

Paralysis Recovery In Miami is Possible with iAM ABLE

We hope our round-up of TED Talks about living with paralysis and disabilities can help you find inspiration to keep moving forward. The highly commendable content from these speakers might come in handy, especially during the toughest parts of your journey to transitioning to your new life.

Besides these TED Talk videos, we suggest exploring other resources that can help you navigate life with paralysis. You can try going through our different discussions here at iAM ABLE, engage with a peer mentor or a support group, or explore activity-based therapy.

 Additionally, you may want to get a copy of the iAM ABLE eBook to learn more about critical steps to achieving paralysis recovery in Miami. In this eBook, we tackle everything about coping with life with paralysis. Grab your FREE copy of this paralysis and disability resource eBook today!

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.