The Brooke Ellison Story (2005)

Based on the true life story of Brooke Ellison, this moving drama was directed for A&E by Christopher Reeve, and was the last film he made before his tragic and untimely death. Lacey Chabert (MEAN GIRLS) stars as the title character, who at the age of 11 was hit by a car, an accident that would change the life of the previously active child. Suffering severe head trauma and an injury to her spinal cord, Lacey was not expected to survive, yet she emerged from the hospital triumphant and determined to live a life that was as close to normal as possible. Returning to school, Lacey was accompanied every day by her mother, Jean (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, THE PERFECT STORM, MY LIFE SO FAR), who attended classes with her daughter throughout her accomplished academic career. Lacey ultimately graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, and delivered a heart wrenching and inspiring speech to commemorate the occasion. This is a warm family saga about the strength of the mother-daughter bond, and the power of courage and determination in the face of adversity.