Julie Papievis

After a horrific car accident sent her to the gates of heaven and back, Julie Papievis had, at best, a four percent chance of survival, rating a "3", the lowest number possible on the Glascow Coma Scale. The few who survive typically face a non-functional life. She, however, completely beat the odds even though she remained in a coma for over a month.

Today, Julie has a national speaking and lecturing career as a survivor of traumatic brain stem injury. She has appeared on The 700 Club, CNN, WGN News and many others. She has also been featured in First for Women Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Woman's Day Magazine, and Lifetime TV's "Beyond Chance" to share her story. She is based in the Chicago area. The author of Go Back and Be Happy, Julie is an advocate for other survivors looking for hope and guidance. She works with the Brain Injury Association, the Spinal Cord Injury Association, and is a peer advisor to the Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse. As a VIP member (voice for injury prevention) for the international program of ThinkFirst, she speak to students about injury prevention and safe driving. She volunteers at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in their Peer Support Program. She currently works part time as a community relations advisor for a top Chicago law firm.