FBL : Our Billboards

COMMENTS ON THIS BILLBOARD

Nov 7, 2007

>> This is amazing. Hey, my comment was published! Brooke, you are truly an amazing person! Lena K., Oregon, USA

Nov 6, 2007

>> wowww... Lena K., Oregon, USA

Jul 9, 2007

>> On occasion the effort to raise children, put them through school, work etc. causes one to want to question why one works so hard. When I see such inspiring pictures as you have on these billboards, I quickly remember that I can work much, much harder and the results are well worth the effort. I send these to friends and family to help inspire them when they have those moments of doubt and hesitation. Thanks again and keep it up! Eric C, California

Apr 9, 2007

>> Congratulations that's a real good effort on her part. I need to really try harder. This picture and the message with it bring such new joy and encouragement for me. I know that I can try harder now. I hope that more people can be able to see this inspiring picture. I enjoy seeing these billboards so much. Just seeing them when I drive to work gives me new found pride and encouragement. Please keep spreading these billboards around. I appreciate it so much. Thanks again all of you special people that helped put these together. I need to have determination just like her. Maybe she can lend me a little. She seems to have plenty and I don't have any. Thanks again and again and again. G. B.,

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENT

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.