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From paralysis to possibility | Samantha Holvey | TEDxBrownU

After a rare autoimmune disorder left her temporarily paralyzed, Samantha Bozeman found herself rebuilding not just her body—but her understanding of resilience. In this candid and heartfelt talk, she explores how true strength lies not in toughness, but in showing up, adapting, and embracing help. Her story weaves humor, hope, and healing into a powerful reminder: recovery isn’t about returning to who you were—it’s about building forward into who you’re becoming. Sam Holvey is a healthcare communications expert, author, and speaker with a knack for turning complexity into clarity (and occasionally, a punchline). She’s been a guest on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and The New York Times—but not for the reasons you’d expect. A survivor of rare and autoimmune diseases, Sam knows firsthand that the only thing strong enough to stop her is... well, herself (and bread). The author of The Stairway to Heaven is Not ADA Compliant, she brings sharp insight, humor, and a fresh perspective to every stage she steps on. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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