Amy Zellmer is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, editor in chief of The Brain Health Magazine, and advocate of traumatic brain injury (TBI). She hosts the "Faces of TBI" podcast series as well as "TBI TV" on YouTube, and co-hosts The Brain Health Online Summit. She is a frequent contributor to Thrive Global, and has created a private Facebook group for TBI survivors.

In February 2014, Amy Zellmer slipped on a patch of ice and fell, forcibly landing on the back of her skull. The impact briefly knocked her out, and when she started to get up, she immediately knew something was very wrong. Amy had suffered a TBI and her life had changed forever. Amy struggled with daily routines and became frustrated. Through research and the help of Jeremy Schmoe, DACNB, a chiropractic functional neurology diplomate who runs the Functional Neurology Center, Amy was able to recover and advocate for others with TBI. 

Amy sits on the Brain Injury Advisory Council (BIAC) through the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and is involved locally with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. Her two books, ``Life With a Traumatic Brain Injury: Finding the Road Back to Normal'' and "Embracing the Journey: Moving Forward After Brain Injury" both received a silver medal in the Midwest Book Awards. As a motivational speaker, Amy travels with her Yorkie, Pixxie, to help raise awareness about TBI, which is a silent and invisible injury that affects over 3.5 million Americans each year. 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Amy discusses her life as a TBI survivor and advocate. She also clears up some common misconceptions regarding brain injuries and survivors, talks about the importance of self-care, and shares her top three success strategies for recovery. Amy is out to change the landscape of what brain care looks like for herself and other TBI survivors. “I am hopeful that my memory will continue to improve, and that my cognitive function comes back to full capacity. But for now, I am who I am,” Amy states. 

Best known for his portrayal of Walter “Flynn” White Jr. for five riveting seasons of American Multinational Channel (AMC) Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning dramatic thriller, Breaking Bad, RJ Mitte is an actor, advocate, and philanthropist. RJ carved out his niche in Hollywood by breaking down stereotypes and changing people’s mindsets with his easy-going demeanor and positive outlook on life. As Walt Jr., RJ acted as the Cerebral Palsy-afflicted son of Walter (Bryan Cranston) and Skyler (Anna Gunn). As Walter continued his descent into drug manufacturing and trade, Walt Jr. finds himself torn between his father’s deceit, his mother’s protectiveness, and his own developing sense of independence. Walter Jr.’s Cerebral Palsy on the show was embellished; meaning RJ had to learn how to walk on crutches and slur his speech to create a more dramatic version of his own disability.

At the young age of three, Louisiana native RJ was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, though that has never deterred his drive to succeed in television and film. After moving to Los Angeles due to his sister’s chance encounter with a casting director, Mitte landed roles in various shows such as, Showtimes’, Weeds; National Broadcasting Company’s, Vegas; the CW Network, Everybody Hates Chris; and, co-starred on ABC Family’s primetime hit show, Switched at Birth. He then was casted in his life-changing role on Breaking Bad.

Concluding Breaking Bad, RJ reemerged on the big screen in Dixieland, in his first leading role that did not highlight his difference. Following this he starred opposite Wesley Snipes in “The Recall” and was also seen in Tiempo Compartido. In 2018, he starred alongside John Cusack and George Lopez in River Runs Red. Never one to shy away from an opportunity to take his talents to new avenues, RJ was thrust into the global spotlight as the celebrity face and model of GAP International’s Lived in Spring campaign. He also made his way to the catwalk, modeling in Men’s Fashion Week in Milan, Berlin, and New York City for designers Vivienne Westwood, soPopular, and Ovadia & Sons.

Throughout the years, RJ has been an inspiration to others with cerebral palsy in hopes of removing the stigma associated with disabilities. To bring awareness to his own issues with bullying and prejudice, RJ has engaged in public speaking and serves as the official Ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospitals for Children and partners with Shriners to spearhead their #CutTheBull campaign to advocate on anti-bullying for children with differences. RJ is also involved with the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), as a member of the union’s IAPWD (Performers with Disabilities Committee).

Interviewed by our Founder and President, Alexandra Nicholas, RJ discusses his life with cerebral palsy, his acting career, how his diagnosis and his career can overlap one another, and how he became an” overnight fashion sensation,” according to Dazed and Confused Magazine. Rj also shares his thoughts about actors without a difference being cast into roles that are scripted as a character with a difference and his celebrity ambassadorship for United Cerebral Palsy International Nonprofit Organization. Through RJ’s celebrity advocate status, he has proven that having a difference is more than just okay and should be celebrated, “So many people try to hide their disability. They try to lock it away because they think disability is not sexy, disability is not flattering, but that is not the case. Even though you have a disability, that does not make you disabled [in other ways]. It gives you insight. It gives you knowledge. It gives you something that someone without that will never learn.”

Dr. Gregory Snyder majored in Molecular Biology with certificate programs in Neuroscience and Spanish at Princeton University. In June 2013, Greg suffered a traumatic fall while hiking with his dog, which resulted in broken vertebrae and a spinal cord injury. After two spinal fusion surgeries and a lengthy Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, Greg got stronger each day and learned how to adjust to a life as a T9 paraplegic – to become independent again. The experience of immediately becoming a patient with a chronic health condition enlightened Greg as to the real difficulties and inefficiencies of our healthcare system. After rehabilitating for one year, Greg finished medical school at Jefferson Medical College. 

Currently, Greg  is an Attending Physician of General Internal Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, which is part of the Mass General Brigham Health System. He is also an affiliate faculty member at Ariadne Labs, an entity that studies the implementation of best practices for healthcare delivery and works for innovative startups that are attempting to improve the quality and access to health care, including through telehealth.

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Greg shares his story and the lessons he has learned as a paraplegic doctor. He discusses how as a patient, along with his perspective as a doctor, he was able to gain an understanding of the requirements one must need to receive quality care. Greg is a strong advocate for doctors to see differences in today’s medical field. He states, “We could find value in the subtle difference between being a patient learning from a doctor and being a doctor learning as a patient. This will make for good, patient doctors.”

Daniel’s Music Foundation was founded by the Trush family in 2006 to empower individuals with developmental and physical disabilities by combining music programs with community and socialization. We believe in inclusion, diversity, and the right of all individuals to creatively express their best selves.  

Music in various forms played a critical role in every phase of Daniel’s recovery. From the songs that kept him connected to reality during his coma, to the keyboard playing that helped him regain his motor skills; and even the music history class he took that ultimately inspired him to help others. Most importantly, it was music that maintained his connection to the people around him – and to the very essence of life. 

Interviewed by our Founder and President, Alexandra Nicholas, Daniel and Ken Trush share about Daniel’s difference and how he recovered against the odds with the healing power of music. Daniel and Ken additionally discuss the mission of Daniel’s Music Foundation, their online episode series Smile-O-Meter Friday, and next steps for Daniel's Music Foundation, which recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. The interview also highlights the Trush family's strong advocacy for disability awareness.

You can find out more about Daniel's Music Foundation and Daniel’s journey by  visiting: Daniel's Music Foundation (danielsmusic.org).

Daniel Trush: President and Co-Founder for Daniel’s Music Foundation

Daniel is the President and Co-Founder of and inspiration for Daniel’s Music Foundation and along with his family, is actively involved in all aspects of the organization. Surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm at the age of 12, he is a talented songwriter and performer and is the man responsible for naming DMF’s key performance indicator, the “Smile-O-Meter,” which focuses on the changes in attitudes and outlook reported by DMF participants—a measure the organization takes very seriously. Most importantly, Daniel is the life force that drives DMF and he serves as the ambassador for the mission. He is a living example of acceptance, kindness, and joy.

Ken Trush: Co-Founder/Chair of Board of Directors for Daniel’s Music Foundation

Ken Trush is a non-practicing CPA and is a partner at Spring Advisors, an M&A advisory firm that works with marketing agencies, design & development firms, and consultancies. Prior to Spring, Ken was a founding shareholder, CFO and EVP of Corporate Development at Agency.com, a digital agency that grew to 1,700 employees in 14 locations in 6 years (1995-2000). 

Ken is also a Co-Founder of Daniel’s Music Foundation (DMF) and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors. Ken works closely with his son Daniel, the DMF management team, and staff (20 total employees; 6 full-time), in the development of the music programs and in the marketing, development, and operational areas of the foundation. He developed the concept of "The Danny Awards" during the summer of 2019, an annual celebration of musical talent from around the world and is the driving force behind their Virtual Community.

Statistics indicate that learning and attention disabilities affect one in five children. Research shows that learning disabilities can develop due to genetics and /or neurobiological factors. Learning disabilities can range from reading and writing difficulties to attention and hyperactivity issues. In conjunction with these difficulties, mental health issues can also result. Mental health issues can include anger, irritability and worthlessness. Since learning disabilities and mental health issues are invisible, it is hard to know if one has one of these conditions. I have a learning disability. As a result of a neurological condition, I have attention, reading comprehension and executive functioning deficits. My learning challenges have also affected my mental health. 

My fifth grade teachers noticed that I was having difficulties with attention and reading comprehension. They referred me to a neuropsychologist for an evaluation. The evaluation indicated that my neurological condition was causing learning challenge; specifically, deficits in attention, reading comprehension and executive functioning. 

In order to compensate for my deficits, I participated in cognitive remediation with a neuropsychologist, three times a week. She helped me develop strategies such as taking notes and underlining to increase reading comprehension, creating outlines to help organize my thoughts when writing essays and making schedules to break down school tasks into more manageable pieces. 

The downside of using the compensations I was taught, was that I had to work twice as hard as the average student who did not have learning challenges. As a result, this limited my social life, including after school activities and playdates. Not being able to participate in normal social activities like any other kid caused me to have issues with depression and anxiety. While I did not take medication at that time to help, my neuropsychologist did provide counselling. Just as with academic strategies, she helped me with psychological strategies. Psychological strategies included figuring out ways to make friends with my classmates, to not be bullied as well as other strategies including with my family life. 

Learning disabilities can result in mental health challenges. As such, a neuropsychological evaluation includes a section that is on emotional health. Oftentimes, working with a neuropsychologist for cognitive remediation and a psychotherapist is recommended. Even if a child is not exhibiting mental health issues at the present time, mental health issues are possible to develop. For every individual who has been recently diagnosed with a learning disability should be aware of the signs of mental health challenges and consult the appropriate health professional if symptoms begin to occur. 

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Jay Blake is the founder and president of Follow A Dream. Established in 1999, Follow A Dream is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization with the mission of demonstrating the “Power of Positive Thinking, Self-Determination, and Teamwork.” He is also the only totally blind crew chief in the worldwide sport of auto racing. Jay has more than 15 years experience as a professional auto mechanic and more than 25 years in drag racing

While working as the head mechanic of a transportation company in 1997, Jay was involved in an industrial accident that caused him to lose complete vision, smell and taste. At the age of 31, he was faced with relearning how to live as a completely blind person.

Refusing to give up on life, Jay aggressively participated in rehabilitation. After being released from Massachusetts General Hospital, he enrolled in an intensive program at The Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, Massachusetts. With renewed self-determination, Jay began to follow his dream: owning a professional auto-racing team.

He soon learned that even without his sight, he was still able to do what he loved most - work on racing engines. Turning his dream into a reality, Jay combined his renewed participation in drag racing with his desire to spread his true-life success by inspiring others, both with and without disabilities, to accomplish their goals through the power of positive thinking and self-determination.

Today, Jay is responsible for Follow A Dream organization’s management, operations and community outreach programs, as well as performing mechanical work on the race car. He leads his team of racing professionals in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car competition, where they won the 2012 East Region championship and finished the season ranked 11th in national points. When Jay is not racing, Jay spends time at vocational schools all across the country, speaking to students, and spreading his message of inspiration. 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Jay shares his personal experience of overcoming adversity, the story of how he achieved his dream of auto racing, and how he motivates others through his speaking engagements. He also discusses his “5 Tools for Life Success,” which are meant to encourage individuals to pursue their life goals with passion, self-determination and a positive attitude. Jay’s mantra is full of zeal and purpose. He states,  “I actually had a choice to live or die, and it was an amazing experience. And I chose to live, and the rest is history.”

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, the duo Mara Koffmann and Jen Mendelsohn, co-founders of Braintrust Tutors, share the way that they first met, which led to the inspiration behind Braintrust Tutors. Mara and Jen discuss the mission of Braintrust Tutors: the importance of the home-school connection, the idea of bringing the whole child to fruition through unique and personalized learning strategies, and how assessment needs can be met with creative learning tools and emotional/mental support for each child. In the interview, Mara and Jen also discuss ways Braintrust Tutors help with the struggles that children with differences often face in the learning environment. As their website states, “Braintrust was created to give everyone connected with the tutoring experience a better way. A better way to connect. A better way to teach. A better way to learn."

Mara Koffmann Co-Founder and CEO of Braintrust Tutors

Mara is a problem solver. She’s spent her entire professional career helping students and families understand and overcome their most difficult learning obstacles. No matter how seemingly intractable the problem, Mara relishes rolling up her sleeves and finding effective – and fun! – solutions that will help students achieve their full potential. Mara lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young boys. Because children require playthings, she has temporarily surrendered her love of order and interior design.

Jen Mendelsohn Co-Founder and CBO of Braintrust Tutors

Often described as pathologically gregarious, Jen loves nothing more than quarterbacking a business opportunity. Through life's challenges, she became that expert mom--the one who everyone turns to for a great recommendation -- but she hopes that Braintrust will amplify access to everyone and become an even greater connector. Jen is a proud Soho resident and on most days tolerates her husband and three children. They remind her (somewhat ironically) that she is an impatient teacher.

Laura Slatkin is the CEO of NEST Fragrances, a luxury home fragrance company. NEST Fragrances is a luxury lifestyle brand for scent lovers that includes candles, diffusers, and fine fragrance. Outside the world of fragrance, Laura is a mother and an advocate. In 1999, shortly after giving birth to twins, Alexandra and David, the Slatkin's son was diagnosed with severe autism. In 2003, along with her husband, Harry, and closest colleagues, she co-founded NEXT for AUTISM, an organization that transforms the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching and supporting innovative programs.

In addition to serving as Board Chair of NEXT for AUTISM, Laura serves on the Board of Directors of Autism Speaks, New York Center for Autism (NYCA), NYCA Charter School, New England Center for Children and the Henry Street Settlement House. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and on the Board of Directors of Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Hunter College Autism Research and Policy Board, and the Henry Street Settlement House. Laura is also involved with the Alzheimer's initiative. 

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Laura shares David’ s story and his diagnosis and challenges with nonverbal autism. She also discusses David's communication strategies, how David is burgeoning into his adult life, and why her scent Apple Blossom is near and dear to her heart. In addition, Laura speaks about the future focus of NEXT for AUTISM, which is now focusing on changing the standard for how adults with autism thrive. As the website states, “NEXT for AUTISM addresses the needs of people with autism and their families across the country, right now. “ 

Mike Berkson is a founding member of HandicapThis!, an inspirational leader of the Keep On Keeping On Foundation, motivational speaker, aspiring film-maker, and an entrant novelist. He is also a movie connoisseur and has seen over 12,000 movies. Mike was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and his family was told “not to expect much.” Nonetheless at age three, not only was Mike talking up a storm, but he had a thirst for vocabulary. Mike virtually has no movement of his arms and legs, which limits his control and independence, but Mike’s unmatched wit, amazing stage presence, and good nature is limitless. 

At age twelve, Mike met Tim Wambach. Tim was hired to be Mike’s one-on-one aide and help Mike with the tasks of daily living. Throughout the years  Mike and Tim have formed an unmeasurable bond and have been through some of the most amazing adventures together. 

Mike and Tim created the Keep On Keeping On Foundation to help those living with severe physical disabilities, like cerebral palsy. They have helped families pay for therapy, equipment, home modifications, and motorized wheelchairs, all in an effort to help both the child and the family. Mike and Tim’s motivational speaking success ultimately gave the pair the opportunity to spread their message of tolerance and inclusion through their live show called, Handicap This! Recently, Mike created, Making Minds Handicap Accessible: The Digital Classroom Experience, a digital classroom learning tool, which helps spread the message of the importance of social emotional learning and empathy.

Interviewed by our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, Mike talks about his unique journey with cerebral palsy, his friend Tim, and his role in HandicapThis!, a two-man show. Mike also touches on mental health and the struggle of accepting one’s self when one has a difference. Throughout the interview, Mike discusses the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and tolerance. Mike’s advice is to, “Throw out the book about how to handle someone with special needs and look at the individual person, not just the disability.” 

Portions of Mike’s biography were provided by: Our Team | Handicap This!