Against one-in-a-million odds, Kate Adamson overcame total paralysis from a devastating double brainstem stroke. Locked inside her body, she communicated by blinking. Kate could think. And she could blink. And that’s all she could do. It was like being locked in a glass coffin. This survivor of Locked-in Syndrome proves that paralysis is not powerlessness and that we can achieve the impossible by focusing on the possible. Now, the award-winning author of Paralyzed But Not Powerless shares her incredible story of recovery with audiences across the country.
In her presentations, Kate inspires corporate and government audiences to appreciate how those who effectively deal with disabilities tend to develop levels of creativity and resourcefulness beyond what they would have if they had not suffered the disability. She explains that people with disabilities often take extraordinary approaches to ordinary problems—and often achieve extraordinary results. While disabled people are forced to learn these lessons, all of us can choose to learn them. Kate’s experience of overcoming personal paralysis relates to corporations dealing with paralysis brought on by the impact of global changes in their business, the economy, human resources issues, government regulations regarding accommodation, and other challenges. She will show you how to achieve your own extraordinary results.
Kate was appointed to the University of Southern California, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Board of Counselors and serves on the Advisory Board for Successful Aging with Disability. She is also a board member of the Stroke Association of Southern California and has served as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Currently, Kate severs as a board member of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the National Speakers Association. She was the subject of a major fundraising film produced by the American Heart Association.
Kate’s story has been featured in many national magazines, including Redbook, Prevention, Vim & Vigor, Caregiver, Stroke Smart, Stroke Connection and The Female Patient. She was one of five national finalists for Prevention magazine’s “Picture of Health” promotion and has appeared on Larry King Live, Good Morning America, The O’Reilly Factor, The Abrams Report, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, 700 Club, Coral Ridge Ministries, TBN, and Lifetime.
