On her first day of seventh grade, a car struck Brooke Ellison on her way home from school. The accident left her paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a respirator. Ten years later, with her mother, Jean, by her side, Brooke graduated with honors from Harvard University. This is the story, told in their own words, of the miraculous journey that Brooke and Jean undertook so that Brooke could achieve her goals, against all odds. Written in alternating chapters by Brooke and Jean, The Brooke Ellison Story is filled with optimism, confidence, and inspiration. It is not just about one extrordinary mother-daughter relationship, but about the special bond that exists between mothers and daughters everywhere.The Brooke Ellison Story is now an A&E original movie directed by Christopher Reeve, starring Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, John Slattery, and Lacey Chabert.

One of the most inspiring stories of the past year was that of Brooke Ellison. The victim of an automobile accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down when she was eleven years old, Brooke never let her disability stop her from living her life to the fullest and becoming the first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard University. But, as she eloquently reveals in this beautifully moving account of her life and accomplishments, her identity extends far beyond her physical limitations.

Written with her mother, Jean, her closest companion -- in alternating chapters -- Brooke's story starts on the day that changed her life, which left her in a coma and nearly killed her. It concludes with the promise that Brooke's life is just beginning, and that it will indeed be a remarkable one. Told with grace, warmth, and sparkling humor, this unforgettable memoir is filled with optimism, inspiration, and confidence that the future will bring even more blessings. Miracles Happen is not just about living with a disability, it is about overcoming adversity and celebrating the miracles that every day brings. It is not just about one person, but about the heroics of a family. And it is not just about one extraordinary mother-daughter relationship, but about the special bond that exists between mothers and daughters everywhere.