"Toby's Story" is a spectacular account of a young musician living with a spinal cord injury and how scientists are working to give him back his independence. After a diving accident, Toby Forrest -- an adventurous and active young man -- became paralyzed from the neck down. This episode tells the true story of how Toby thrives as a successful musician, gives back to others, and lives life with hope and optimism despite his disability. With its story of triumph over tragedy, "Toby's Story" shows viewers how dedicated scientists are developing cutting-edge treatments to help those living with spinal cord injuries.
"Robert David Hall's Story" chronicles the success and struggles of the Hollywood actor better known as Dr. Albert Robbins, the coroner from the CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. After a horrific traffic accident, Robert David Hall -- a young musician, DJ, and aspiring actor -- loses both of his legs, one below the knee and one above the knee. This episode tells the true story of how David grows to thrive as a successful actor, gives back to others by mentoring young actors, and advocates for people with disabilities. "Robert David Hall's Story" also shows viewers how cutting-edge researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab are developing next-generation prosthetics that operate via mind-control.
"Liviya's Story" chronicles the harrowing journey of a young girl whose body starts attacking itself out of the blue. This is the true account of a North Carolina girl battling a rare and potentially fatal blood disease called aplastic anemia. Liviya was struck suddenly at age 6 and nearly died. But thanks to quick-acting UNC Chapel Hill physicians who made a fast diagnosis -- and implemented an innovative treatment (involving horses!) -- Liviya survived. The episode traces this traumatic experience, peaking in Liviya's invitation from NHL goalie Cam Ward to attend a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game.
"Herding for a Cure" tells the incredible story of an unprecedented partnership that is saving baby elephants from a silent killer. In this episode, viewers go behind the scenes to get up close and personal with baby elephants. We learn how revolutionary research at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is helping baby Asian elephants, which are dying from a virus called elephant Endotheliotropic herpesvirus. Baby Asian elephants both in zoos and the wild are susceptible to the virus, which can kill within 24 hours. A first-of-its-kind scientific partnership between BCM and the Houston Zoo helps monitor the health of Houston's two baby elephants (named Baylor and Tupelo). New breakthroughs promise to help save baby Asian elephants, not only in zoos, but also in the wild. And since the species is endangered, the research could ultimately help save them from extinction.
"David's Story" tells the unbelievable story of a high-school football player who dies on the field and is brought back to life. In the heart of Texas football country, it's the fourth quarter and a tie game. Star defensive lineman, college-bound David Wilganowski is making play after play. Suddenly, David suffers a cardiac arrest and collapses on the field; trainers and doctors rush to resuscitate him. David's miraculous survival and mysterious diagnosis are chronicled in this heart-warming account of a young man who had everything, but must now learn to cope on the sidelines.
"Emma's Story" tells the uplifting story of brave Emma and her mother Beth, both battling an incurable lung disease in their own way. Imagine you're a scientist who has spent her entire career working to cure fatal lung diseases, and suddenly your 5-year-old daughter is diagnosed with one. This is Dr. Beth Harrington's new reality, who discovers daughter Emma is suffering from pulmonary hypertension, which is fatal and incurable. "Emma's Story" takes viewers inside the lab where Beth and colleagues search for cures; and inside Emma's recovery, where her strength and light bring joy to everyone around her -- even as she fights the battle of her life.
The intertwining stories of businessman Janne Kouri and 12-year old Hussam Malik, who is determined to walk for the first time. Janne was a celebrated football player at Georgetown University. After graduation, he moved to LA, where he met the love of his life, Susan, and started a successful business. Then suddenly, everything changed. He suffered a tragic diving accident that nearly cost him his life. When doctors told him he was a quadriplegic and would never walk again, Janne was determined to prove them wrong. As one of the first in-patients to take part in an experimental activity-based treatment called Locomotor Training -- championed by the Christopher Reeve Foundation -- Janne began months of intensive rehabilitation training. Locomotor Training reteaches the spinal cord how to control motor functions, like walking, through repetitive motion. For three months, Janne couldn't move a thing. Then he first moved a toe. After a year, he began to regain function in his feet, then partial function of his legs. Because Locomotor Training was not available outside the hospital, Janne and Susan (now his wife) started NextStep Fitness, a nonprofit fitness franchise that provides cutting-edge rehabilitation to other people who suffer from spinal cord injuries. Janne is now helping hundreds of other people overcome their spinal cord injuries, and even walk again. Today, Janne can take steps by himself with a walker.
"Dylan's Gift" tells the unforgettable story of young Dylan's tragic diagnosis and the brave, transformative gift his parents make. When their 5-year-old son, Dylan, is diagnosed with a rare and fatal brain tumor and given just 6 months to live, Danah and John Jewett become determined to fight the deadly disease (called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). When Dylan's life is cut short, they decide to donate Dylan's tumor to research. Stanford neuro-oncologist Dr. Michelle Monje works tirelessly to use Dylan's gift to shed light on this devastating disease.
"Dakota's Brain" tells the uplifting story of Dakota, a 10-year old rescue dog suffering from brain cancer, and the cutting-edge medicine that promises a cure for Dakota - and for humans too. When Dakota is diagnosed, owner Dee Mueller is devastated. Determined to keep Dakota alive, Dee brings Dakota to Dr. John Ohlfest and Dr. Elizabeth Pluhar who are on a mission to cure the deadliest forms of brain cancer that afflict both pets and humans. In this inspiring episode, viewers go deep inside the labs of University of Minnesota where Ohlfest and Pluhar have discovered what could be a viable cure for certain brain cancers. Their revolutionary brain tumor vaccine is keeping dogs with brain cancer alive - and they hope it can do the same for people. First, they need to test the vaccine, which works by training the immune system to recognize brain cancer and kill it. Dogs that are receiving the treatment are living happy and active lives, rather than dying painful deaths within months. In the stirring conclusion, Dakota not only survives, but thrives. And Dee has helped advance this new treatment, which someday may inform cures for human brain cancer.
"Laura's Story" showcases cutting-edge research that could be a game-changer in the diabetes epidemic that currently afflicts more than 25 million Americans. The diabetes epidemic threatens to bankrupt the healthcare system if more breakthrough treatments and cures are not developed in the coming years. Laura is a young researcher at Vanderbilt University, who has battled health problems her entire life. At age seven, she was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes, which turned her life upside down. "Laura's Story" gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Vanderbilt's groundbreaking diabetes research, which could one day lead to a cure -- something Laura and millions of others have long hoped for.