Millions of Americans are affected by trauma every year, and many benefit from excellent care—from first responders, hospital emergency teams and rehabilitation specialists—that enables them to return to full health and lead normal lives. Some of their stories are remarkable tales that combine personal good fortune and amazing resilience with heroic action on the part of trauma care providers. NTI is beginning to gather and archive such inspirational stories because they powerfully convey our message: Through research and education, America’s medical providers will be able to continuously improve treatment and reduce the rates of death and disability due to traumatic events.

Return to this page to view new stories as we capture them on video.
















IMPROVING
THE ODDS

Survivors Must Include More than The Lucky



Sharon Smith, the executive director of NTI, has avoided the site of her traumatic injury for nearly 40 years.

Although she drives past the La Grange County Fairgrounds every so often, she cannot bring herself to pull in and peer over the 60-foot high, boulder-strewn cliff she tumbled down as a teenager in 1970.

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