Our Heart Speaks celebrates human flourishing and serves as a resource for individuals with chronic medical conditions and new disabilities.

People from around the world share their stories of rehabilitation and healing through personal narrative, poetry, photography, video, artwork, and music.

We look forward to hearing from you, whatever journey led you to us.

Refugee/Immigrant & Disability Series

Our Heart Speaks is curating a powerful new series that highlights the strength, courage and
humanity of individuals living with a disability, including refugees and immigrants navigating
displacement, healing and their medical course. Despite the real challenges and trauma faced,
growth and flourishing are possible. Theirs is a human story which deserves to be heard.

Living with the dual challenges as a refugee with an acquired disability

An interview with a refugee who was a successful asylum seeker from Afghanistan with a disability. She exemplifies the power of the human spirit to thrive and flourish.

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The Post Traumatic Growth Initiative

If nurtured and guided, an ability and a new awareness can arise after a medical event and can enrich one’s life in profound ways. As part of this initiative, we will share stories that will help people strive to see beyond what may have been lost, to what is possible.

Interview with Vanessa Osman-actor, writer, speaker and spinal cord injury survivor.

In 2003, Vanessa Osman’s life profoundly changed as a result of an accident. She sustained a cervical spinal cord injury with subsequent paralysis. Vanessa shares her powerful journey from grappling with the physical & emotional trauma while over time embracing life and truly flourishing.

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Featured Stories

A Broken Body Isn’t a Broken Person

Janine Shepherd was rendered a partial paraplegic in cycling accident and is now able to walk; she is also a pilot and aerobatics instructor, as well as a motivational speaker and author.

James Langevin in the oval office with Obama

Story of Congressman Jim Langevin

Congressman Jim Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has represented Rhode Island with distinction, including as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The Power of Faith

Kati Lepistö’s career was cut short after a brain stem stroke in 1995. Kati was 20-years-old at that time, Kati lost the power of movement and the power of speech completely. With no chance of recovery, Kati struggled through depression till she accepted her situation.

A Story About Stories

An inspiring story from Alison Shapiro of recovery from a stroke and gaining back her artistic facility.

See also her video at the bottom of the post for a powerful approach for brain injury/stroke recovery for survivors, their caregivers and healthcare providers

In Death, We Find Life

In 1941, I was a 14 year-old girl stripped away from my home in Poland. My family and I were placed in a ghetto. A year later, the ghetto was liquidated and the Nazis sent us to Koszedary labor camp…

OHS Journal

A message from the founder of Our Heart Speaks

Research has begun to unveil what many of us have known to be true: that both telling and hearing stories of overcoming hardship can positively impact your health.

Please join our community by reading and sharing these stories, and telling your story.

This intro video below will give you an overview of the project.

Another good introduction to this project can be had through an interview I had on the Hand in Hand Show.–Dr. Keith Rafal: Founder of Our Heart Speaks