Rebecca Alexander is a well-known author, psychotherapist, disability rights advocate, group fitness instructor, and extreme athlete. She has gained national attention through her book "Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found," which details her experience of going deaf and blind due to Usher syndrome (type III), a rare genetic disorder. Despite her challenges, Rebecca has a positive outlook on life and has become a sought-after motivational speaker for both corporate and non-profit events. She currently resides in New York City and has achieved remarkable feats such as participating in the AIDS Lifecycle ride, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, swimming from Alcatraz to shore, and competing in the Civilian Military Combine races. Rebecca's memoir is being adapted into a major motion picture, and she has received grants to develop a mental health curriculum focused on disability advocacy. Known for her sense of humor and humility, Rebecca offers encouragement and inspiration to others facing their own challenges. She delivers captivating speeches on topics such as finding fulfillment, embracing one's "otherness," the importance of interdependence, the role of humor in resilience, and living with fear. Rebecca's story has been featured in various media outlets, and she has received numerous awards for her advocacy work.
Impermanence is one of the few absolute certainties in life–it’s also something that most of us avoid, resist, and fear despite its inevitability. Understanding and developing a relationship with impermanence is key to our ability to live deeply meaningful lives, in the present.
From an early age, we are taught that we must become independent-we strive for it, we’re praised for it, and we believe that being successful comes from mastering the art of independence. So how is it that the strongest and most cohesive communities grow and thrive because of the high value they place on interdependence? What is interdependence, why does it matter, and how does it help us thrive, grow, and be successful?
As an extreme athlete, author, and psychotherapist who is almost completely blind and deaf due to a rare genetic condition called Usher syndrome (type III), Rebecca Alexander will guide you to uncover your true potential to start leading a life that is worth celebrating. While we can not change the difficult situations we have experienced in the past, we can work to better understand and resolve the challenges we face today and be prepared for the future. Rebecca’s vulnerability, intelligence, keen insight and quick wit are simply a part of what make her such a captivating speaker. Her ability to engage her audience through emotion, in a safe and relatable way teaches us how to identify long-standing behavior patterns or negative belief systems and perceptions that may be holding us back from experiencing a more fulfilling and deeply meaningful life. If you are looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging time in your life or are just ready to move in a new, positive direction, Rebecca will motivate you to take the next steps towards achieving your goals.
Humor is a vital part of coping with life and developing resilience. We use humor to disarm ourselves, bridge the gap with others, cut tension, and help us tolerate discomfort and pain. While humor doesn’t take our pain away, it often soothes and connects us. Humor plays a demonstrable role in our ability to be flexible, distress tolerant, and to accept that many aspects of life can be remarkably out of our control.
How do we develop resilience in a world where we are conditioned to be overly sensitive, easily triggered, anxiety-ridden, and fearful? What would it mean if we learned how to live with fear rather than consumed and sometimes even paralyzed by it?
Living with a disability means you are the designated elephant in whatever space you occupy; subject to the discomfort, uncertainty, fear, pity, sensitivity, and projections of each person you encounter. Only you have the power to use your “otherness” as your strength and not fall into the trap of identifying as or playing the victim.
