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Lessons in resilience from a quadriplegic | Robert Paylor | TEDxBerkeley

After suffering a catastrophic rugby injury that left him quadriplegic, Robert Paylor transformed his paralysis into power and defied medical expectations, learning to stand and walk again through 2,800+ days of rehabilitation and unwavering determination. Robert Paylor’s life changed forever when a catastrophic injury during the collegiate rugby championship left him paralyzed from the neck down while competing for the UC Berkeley men’s rugby team. Doctors delivered a devastating prognosis: he would never walk or move his hands again. Forced to relearn basic human functions—from feeding himself to getting dressed to brushing his teeth—Robert began a transformative journey of recovery. Today, Robert can stand and walk with assistance and inspires others to overcome life’s challenges. In 2020, Robert graduated from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and embarked on a career in inspirational speaking. His journey of perseverance has led him to deliver over 100 keynote presentations. As an author and speaker, Robert empowers others to overcome the “paralyzing” challenges in their own lives, whether physical, emotional, or mental. His message of resilience, positivity, and determination resonates with audiences worldwide. 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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