Determination brooke

Pass It On®

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No matter what sort of adversity or challenge you might face, you can always believe that, with hope, it can be conquered and, in the end, you will be stronger for it.

—Brooke Ellison

About This Billboard

In September of 1990, when Brooke Ellison was 11 years old, she was hit by a car while walking home from her first day of 7th grade. The accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe.

Despite Brooke’s physical limitations, she has overcome many challenges and excelled academically. After scoring 1510 out of a possible 1600 on the SAT, Brooke was accepted to Harvard University. With the tireless help of her mother, Jean, who lived with her in the dorms for 4 years, Brooke graduated magna cum laude in 2000.

Brooke said, “Life isn't always easy and we are never guaranteed that things will always go smoothly…It progresses with an almost constant series of challenges, but these obstacles are just detours that we have to take in order to meet our ultimate goals. No matter what sort of adversity or challenge you might face, you can always believe that, with hope, it can be conquered and, in the end, you will be stronger for it.”

Brooke currently travels the country as a motivational speaker, has made numerous TV appearances, published an autobiography with her mother, and is the subject of a film for A&E, The Brooke Ellison Story, directed by Christopher Reeve. Brooke went back to the Kennedy School of Government for her Masters Degree in Public Policy and is now a Ph.D. candidate in political psychology at Stony Brook University. She is also a member of the board of directors of the National Organization on Disabilities.

Determination. Pass It On!

This billboard about Determination features Brooke Ellison; first quadriplegic to graduate from HarvardUniversity, author, motivational speaker.

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COMMENTS

Rebecca Goldberg from Foster City, California JANUARY 10, 2018
Brooke, your story inspires us all. Your courage, determination, hope and love lift us all up. You are truly a great force for good in this world! God bless you. Rebecca Goldberg Foster City, California
Bryan from CA SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
Upon watching the film, it made my heart feel good. Brooke, your parents raised you to become a success and it is really nice to read inspirational stories from you. Being paralyzed was scary when I heard it and once again congrats on being accepted into Harvard!
ben from hopkins MI APRIL 16, 2014
I saw the movie about your life and i was simply amazed at what i saw.
Zozo from canada APRIL 7, 2014
wow that's all i can say wow
travis from UT JANUARY 29, 2014
i feel like i want to die every time i read that some got hurt, but it takes alot to have determination and brooke ellison has done this.