Maggie Whittum | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Maggie Whittum is a filmmaker, theatre artist, actor, disability advocate, public speaker and stroke survivor at age 33. She recently finished acting in the world-premiere immersive experience ‘Theater of the Mind’, created by David Byrne & Mala Gaonkar, based on neuroscience research. She often performs with the ‘disability affirmative’ Phamaly Theatre Company in Denver, CO, which exclusively casts actors with disabilities. She speaks at conferences, universities, hospitals, and medical schools about her story of stroke, disability and identity. She has spoken at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Georgetown Hospital, Craig Hospital, and the ACCAC ‘One World One Family’ Conference and Cultural Exchange Festival, among others. Maggie is creating a feature length documentary film 'The Great Now What', about her story of resilience in the aftermath of a major health crisis, and the healing power of art https://www.thegreatnowwhat.com. Maggie is a RespectAbility Fellow and a graduate of Colorado College.

Current position (1)

Speaker

Maggie Speaks LLC

Degrees (1)

Drama

Colorado College

1999 to 2004

Presentations

Presentations (2)

The Great Now What: Life after a Brainstem Stroke (medical version)

35-40 minute version:
PowerPoint presentation with 85 slides detailing my life before stroke, thorough descriptions of my ER admission, ICU stay, brain surgery, rehabilitation hospital time, and discharge to home. Further discussion of hypoglossal nerve transfer surgery and strabismus surgery. Replete with lots of pictures and video, and an honest, empathetic, and human examination of disability and identity in the aftermath of a stroke. (Presented to Medical, Physical Therapy and Nursing students, PMR residents, as well as to practicing OTs, PTs, neurologists and neurosurgeons at various venues including Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown Hospital and Craig Hospital).

Objectives:
At the conclusion of this talk, attendees will be able to:
- Build compassion and understanding for stroke survivors.
- Better grasp the patient experience of stroke recovery.
- Better understand a patient’s experience with neurosurgery, cranial nerve surgery, and strabismus surgery.

The Great Now What: Life after a Brainstem Stroke (mainstream version)

20-25 minute version:
PowerPoint presentation with 60 slides detailing my life before stroke, descriptions of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and discharge to home. Replete with lots of pictures and video, and an honest, empathetic, and human examination of disability and identity in the aftermath of a stroke. (Presented to Masters in Social Work and Masters in Special Education students, conferences on disability and inclusion, and disability advocacy groups at various venues including the University of Denver, the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs), the Accessible Arts & Culture Conference (ACCAC South Korea), and several stroke survivor support groups).

Objectives:
At the conclusion of this talk, attendees will be more able to:
- Build compassion and empathy for stroke survivors
- Connect with the experience of acquiring a disability
- Better understand the struggle and marginalization disabled people face
- Empower and affirm the work of disabled artists