Adam Taliaferro

While playing football for Penn State in a game against rival, Ohio State, Adam Taliaferro made a routine helmet-to-helmet tackle that would change the course of his life. He had broken his neck—a similar injury suffered by the late, Christopher Reeve. Given only a 3% chance of ever walking again, Adam fought insurmountable odds to not only walk, but to walk well.

Though playing football is no longer in Adam's future, many around the nation have followed his inspirational tale of recovery leading authors, Scott Brown and Sam Carchidi, to chronicle his remarkable story in their 2001 book Miracle in the Making. Adam currently handles Strategic Planning for the State and Federal Payment Agencies team with Bristol Myers Squibb and holds office as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. Adam also has his own foundation, “The Adam Taliaferro Foundation,” that provides financial assistance to individuals affected by spinal cord injuries of which has raised over $1 million to date. Through his foundation and his passion for motivational speaking, Adam continues to provide hope for many people who may feel that there is no reason to hope at all.