Look Both Ways with Brooke & Jean Ellison

By Christy Romero on April 7th, 2023

Brooke and Jean Ellison join hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial to talk about Brooke’s experience after a life-altering auto accident on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

First day as a teacher was the same day of the life-altering car accident that left Brooke paralyzed from her neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. Jean left her job to be at her daughter’s side—a position she has maintained ever since. Jean accompanied Brooke to rehab in New Jersey, to school when she returned after her accident, and to Harvard, when Brooke was an undergraduate and master student.

Update: Feb. 19, 2024

Today, we honor the legacy of Brooke Ellison. The professor, disabilities activist, stem cell advocate, author, and thought leader recently passed away but has left a lasting impact on the community in the fight for inclusion and disability rights. In March of 2023, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brooke and her mother, Jean, on their journey and the importance of humanity with Brooke’s memoir Look Both Ways.