While I was completing my college applications, my mother, being the overachiever that she is, added a mandatory reading assignment to my course load. That was when I was introduced to Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Disgruntled, of course, I read the book because disobedience was not even an option.. (Skimming wasn’t an option either because my supermom usually required reports on these extra assignments.) I was immediately intrigued by Dr. Ben Carson’s story started with a mother very similar to my own. By the end of the book, I was so genuinely inspired that it became the topic and motivation for a number of my college application essays.
Although it has been a while since I’ve read the book, I vividly remember the inspiration I felt and highly recommend it. Though I think the book would be a rich and rewarding experience, thanks to the magic of cinematography, The Ben Carson Story has been made into a movie that will air on TNT on Saturday, February 7, 2009 and 8:00 PM EST. With a cast including Oscar-winning Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kimberly Elise, this reenactment of this powerful story has certainly piqued my interest and think you will enjoy it as well.
Here are a few brief synopses to fill you in on the story:
Carson’s mother was the center of his early life. Through her strength, determination, and intelligence, and despite little education and a struggle with mental illness, she was able to instill a strong work ethic within her son and taught him to set high expectations for himself. At each level of his academic career, Carson started as an average or below-average performer. But after much hard work, he always eventually moved up through the ranks to emerge at the top.
Read more of the BrainConnection.com Review
Carson’s autobiography is the inspiring story of an inner-city kid with poor grades and little motivation, who, at age thirty-three became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Dr. Carson serves as a role model for young people in need of encouragement to attempt the seemingly impossible and succeed.
(Read more of review from the Prince George’s Community College)
I would love to hear what you all think if you get a chance to catch the movie.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Watching the movie reminded me of how much I got from my reading of the book. I learned about a “hemispherectomy” and never forgot it since. I recommend reading the book. It is much richer experience.
I haven’t read the book yet (although I know my parents have it somewhere…) but I thought the movie was pretty good. I knew Dr. Carson was brilliant, but I always thought he was just born brilliant. Now I see he had to work extremely hard, which is a great lesson for all these kids out here. You CAN be anything, if you really want it.
Great post!
Dang I totally missed the movie. I wonder if it’ll come back on. I read his other book, “Take the Risk” and really enjoyed it. I’ll have to check out Gifted Hands.
It will be airing again Thursday, February 12 at midnight, which is actually tonight.
ahaha of course i missed it again. whomp to me. thanks d.