Funny and sociable, brilliant and compassionate, courageous and resolute – that is how the late Brooke Ellison, a 45-year-old bioethicist and champion of stem cell research at Stony Brook University, was fondly described by her friends and family during an emotional celebration of her life on Sunday. Ellison [passed away] in the university’s hospital.
Ellison’s remarkable journey of personal and professional triumph following a childhood accident that left her paralyzed garnered national and global recognition. She made history as the first quadriplegic individual to graduate from Harvard University.
At the age of 11, Ellison was struck by a car while crossing Nicolls Road in Stony Brook on her way home from middle school, resulting in paralysis from the neck down.
The commemorative event at Stony Brook’s student center, lasting three hours, included excerpts from Ellison’s memoir, heartfelt tributes, musical performances, and videos. These segments highlighted her joyful upbringing, the obstacles she overcame post-accident, her academic pursuits culminating in a doctorate, and a venture into public service.
Reflecting on their shared past, Brooke’s sister, Kysten Ellison, reminisced about their days of sharing a bedroom and engaging in late-night conversations about their aspirations. Initially aspiring to be a dancer, Brooke’s ambitions transcended beyond personal goals, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.
Recounting their close bond, Reed Ellison, her brother, referred to Brooke as his lifelong best friend, emphasizing their mutual love for intellectual challenges like logic games and Scrabble.
Friends shared anecdotes of Brooke’s lively persona, her penchant for themed gatherings, and her fondness for 1980s music, all while projecting images of her radiant smile on the wall behind them.
Brooke’s narrative resonated with actor Christopher Reeve, another individual affected by paralysis, leading to profound conversations and the creation of a 2004 television movie based on her life titled “The Brooke Ellison Story.”
Despite relying on a battery-powered ventilator and a wheelchair operated by a sip-and-puff mouth switch, Ellison’s mother, Jean, devoted her life to supporting Brooke throughout her academic and personal journey, setting aside her own career in special education.
Describing their unbreakable bond, Brooke’s father, Ed Ellison, hailed them as a “dynamic, inseparable duo,” acknowledging Brooke’s unwavering spirit in confronting life’s challenges until the very end, with the invaluable support of her loved ones.
Having completed her doctoral studies in sociology at Stony Brook in 2012, Brooke Ellison later served as an associate professor in the School of Health Professions, imparting knowledge on medical ethics, science ethics, and health policy.
A scholarship, the Brooke Ellison Legacy Scholarship, has been established at Stony Brook in her honor to carry forward her impactful legacy.
Dr. William A. Wertheim, interim executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine, affirmed that Ellison’s influence will endure through the scholarship, underscoring her dedication to advocacy for individuals with disabilities, equity, research for spinal cord injuries, and her overall commitment to humanitarian causes.