Ideas worth spreading

A broken body isn't a broken person

1,829,897 views |

Janine Shepherd |

TEDxKC

• October 2012

Cross-country skier Janine Shepherd hoped for an Olympic medal -- until she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. She shares a powerful story about the human potential for recovery. Her message: you are not your body, and giving up old dreams can allow new ones to soar.

Cross-country skier Janine Shepherd hoped for an Olympic medal -- until she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. She shares a powerful story about the human potential for recovery. Her message: you are not your body, and giving up old dreams can allow new ones to soar.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxKC, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Janine Shepherd

Janine Shepherd

See speaker profile

Aspiring Olympic skier Janine Shepherd was nearly killed when she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. Paralysed and immobile for six months, she was given a grim picture for recovery. But not only did she teach herself to walk again— she learned to fly.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxKC, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.