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{{short description|American motivational speaker and author (born 1945)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Morris E. Goodman
| name = Morris E. Goodman
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|11|09}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|11|09}}
|birth_place =
| birth_place =
|death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
|death_place =
| death_place =
|other_names = "The Miracle Man"
| other_names = "The Miracle Man"
| known_for = Surviving a plane crash that almost made him not able to speak, walk, move and eat.
|known_for =
⚫
| spouse = Cathy Goodman
⚫
|occupation = Motivational speaker, author
| website = {{Official website|www.themiracleman.org}}
⚫
|nationality = US Citizen
⚫
| occupation = Motivational speaker, author
⚫
| nationality = American
}}
}}
'''Morris E. Goodman''' (born November 9, 1945)<ref name="book">Goodman, Morris (1985). ''The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage''. Miracle Man Productions, Inc. ISBN 0-13-585357-5.</ref> is an American motivational speaker and author. His remarkable recovery from a plane crash which left him paralyzed and unable to move, breathe, talk or swallow earned him the nickname of "The Miracle Man."<ref name="700Club">"CBN.com - Video & Transcript." 2006-12-11. http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/GW124</ref>
'''Morris E. Goodman''' (born November 9, 1945)<ref name="book">Goodman, Morris (1985). ''The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage''. Miracle Man Productions, Inc. {{ISBN|0-13-585357-5}}.</ref> is an American [[motivational speaker]] and author. Goodman has been called "The Miracle Man" following his recovery from a plane crash which left him paralyzed and unable to move, breathe, talk or swallow.<ref name="700Club">{{cite news|title=Morris Goodman: In The Blink Of An Eye|url=http://www.cbn.com/tv/1422265560001|accessdate=5 February 2015|work=Christian Broadcasting Network|date=11 December 2006}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
In the summer of 1970, Morris E. Goodman "was a college dropout, lacking purpose and direction."<ref name="book" /> Upon a random trip to his local book story, Goodman discovered [[Napoleon Hill]]'s ''[[Think and Grow Rich]]'' (1937), as well as a few other books and tapes by other well-known motivational speakers, most notably [[Zig Ziglar]]. The subject matter was life-changing. Deciding to follow in his uncles' footsteps, despite their naysaying, Goodman sought a sales career in the insurance industry. Within a year, he made the [[Million Dollar Round Table]]. Within ten years, he made MDRT's Top of the Table and was running his own company, Morris Goodman and Associates.<ref name="book" />
In the summer of 1970 Goodman "was a college dropout, lacking purpose and direction" according to his 1985 autobiography.<ref name="book" /> At a local book store, Goodman found the 1937 book ''[[Think and Grow Rich]]'' by [[Napoleon Hill]],<ref name="Success Magazine">Success Magazine: "Morris Goodman: Miracle Man" June, 2013 http://www.success.com/article/morris-goodman-miracle-man</ref> as well as other books and tapes by motivational speakers such as [[Zig Ziglar]]. Following this, Goodman sought a sales career in the insurance industry, where his uncle worked. Within a year, he had joined the [[Million Dollar Round Table]], an association of insurance salesmen. Within ten years, he was running his own company, Morris Goodman and Associates.<ref name="book" />


By March 1981, Morris E. Goodman had achieved one of his dreams of obtaining his pilot's license and had bought his own airplane, a [[Cessna 172]]. On March 10, 1981, Goodman took a leisurely flight around [[Chesapeake Bay]] and the southern tip of the [[Delmarva Peninsula]]. Without any warning, the plane's engine lost power, causing an eerie hiss, and Goodman did all he could to maneuver the aircraft back toward the airstrip in [[Cape Charles, Virginia]] to make an emergency landing. As he approached the runway, the plane flew through a low-hung set of power lines, and the plane crashed to the ground, and flipped over. Goodman was knocked out, breaking his C-1 ([[Atlas (anatomy)]]) and C-2 ([[Axis (anatomy)]]) [[Cervical vertebrae]], and was left paralyzed, unable to move from head to foot, breathe on his own, talk or swallow.<ref name="CNN">"CNN.com - Larry King Live Transcripts" 2006-10-27. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/27/lkl.01.html.</ref> All he could do was blink his eyes.<ref name="VioletRay">"The Violet Ray Magazine, August 2, 2010 http://issuu.com/violetray/docs/tvr_go_green_dec08.</ref>
In March 1981 Goodman had obtained his pilot's license and had bought his own airplane, a [[Cessna 172]]. On March 10, 1981, Goodman took a flight around [[Chesapeake Bay]] and the southern tip of the [[Delmarva Peninsula]]. Without any warning, the plane's engine lost power. Goodman attempted to maneuver the aircraft back toward the airstrip in [[Cape Charles, Virginia]], to make an emergency landing. (The official NTSB accident report makes no mention of engine trouble.)<ref>https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=28506&key=0 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref> As he approached the runway, the plane flew through a low-hung set of power lines, crashed to the ground, and flipped over. Goodman broke his C-1 ([[Atlas (anatomy)|atlas]]) and C-2 ([[Axis (anatomy)|axis]]) [[cervical vertebrae]], and was left fully [[Paralysis|paralyzed]]. He was unable to breathe, talk, or swallow on his own,<ref name="CNN">"CNN.com - Larry King Live Transcripts" 2006-10-27. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/27/lkl.01.html.</ref> and could only communicate by blinking his eyes.<ref name="VioletRay">"The Violet Ray Magazine, August 2, 2010 http://issuu.com/violetray/docs/tvr_go_green_dec08.</ref>


Goodman was rushed to a local hospital in nearby [[Nassawadox, Virginia]], and then again to Norfolk General in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], where a life-saving surgery was performed. His doctors, however, were convinced that if he survived long at all after the surgery, he'd be doomed to a short, meaningless life in a [[persistent vegetative state]], assuming he had also lost all brain function. In reality, nothing was farther than the truth, and Goodman began to develop a plan to achieve a full recovery.<ref name="700Club" />
After initial treatment at a local hospital in nearby [[Nassawadox, Virginia]], Goodman was moved to Norfolk General in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], where surgery was performed. Goodman's sister, Pat Waldo, realized that Goodman was conscious by noticing his limited eye movement. Waldo constructed a series of charts which contained the alphabet and other important subjects, each item correlating to a particular number. Goodman was able to blink his eyes for the number of times to relate to a particular object on each chart, which allowed Goodman to communicate in a limited capacity.<ref name="book" />


⚫
On April 6, 1981, Goodman was transferred to the [[University of Virginia]] Medical Center in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]]. After weeks of intense practice, voluntarily using other abdominal muscles, Goodman was able to take his first breath without the use of a machine.<ref name="CNN" /> Doctors slowly reduced the settings on Goodman's [[ventilator]] until he was finally able to breathe on his own. Soon Goodman began working with speech therapists until he was able to utter a single word - "Mama." On June 1, 1981, Goodman was moved to The Towers - a former rehabilitation center at [[University of Virginia Health System|UVA Medical Center]] where he began to eat, and began working on learning to walk again.<ref name="book" />
Goodman's sister, Pat Waldo, was the first to realize that Goodman was conscious by noticing his limited eye movement. Understanding that his eyes would be the only channel through which Goodman could communicate, Pat constructed a series of charts which contained the alphabet and other important subjects, each item correlating to a particular number. Goodman was able to blink his eyes for the number of times to relate to a particular object on each chart. Goodman was finally able to communicate his thoughts, but it was still insufficient compared to speech.<ref name="book" />


⚫
On July 6, 1981, Goodman was admitted to the [[Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center]] in [[Fishersville, Virginia]]. With [[physical therapy]] and [[occupational therapy]], Goodman continued to work to improve his leg muscle strength and stamina until he could stand on his own. After several weeks, Goodman was able to walk unassisted, and was released on November 13, 1981.<ref name="book" />
⚫
On April 6, 1981, Goodman was transferred to the [[University of Virginia]] Medical Center in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]]. Understanding speech required the ability to breathe, Goodman had to find a way to breathe despite the permanent damage to his diaphragm. After weeks of intense practice, voluntarily using other abdominal muscles, Goodman was able to take his first breath without the use of a machine. (Morris E. Goodman still breathes this way to this day.)<ref name="CNN" /> Stunned doctors slowly reduced the settings on Goodman's [[ventilator]] until he was finally able to breathe on his own. Soon Goodman began working with speech therapists until he was able to utter a single word - "Mama." On June 1, 1981, ready for more intense therapy, Goodman was moved to "The Towers" - a former rehabilitation center at UVA Medical Center. There he began to eat again and began working on learning to walk again.<ref name="book" />


Morris has since gone on to become a world-renowned motivational speaker who has worked with many Fortune 500 companies and religious organizations.<ref name="Success Magazine" />
⚫
On July 6, 1981, Morris E. Goodman was admitted to the [[Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center]] in [[Fishersville, Virginia]]. Despite head doctors' insistence that his spinal cord had been permanently damaged to the point that his left side would be forever immobile, Goodman vowed he would walk once more, and would be home by Christmas. Obtaining permission to use the [[physical therapy]] and [[occupational therapy]] facilities earlier than their programs began, Goodman continued to work to improve his leg muscle strength and stamina until he could stand on his own, a feat he could not accomplish until the removal of a heavy halo vest (see [[Orthotics|Spinal orthoses]]) enabled him to maintain the proper balance to stand. After several weeks, Goodman was able to walk unassisted, and was released on November 13, 1981.<ref name="book" />

Morris E. Goodman continued to receive therapy after his release from Woodrow Wilson, including [[chiropractic]]. Later in life, Morris began a series of motivational seminars for businesses, which he has presented for such clients as [[AFLAC]], [[United Auto Workers]], [[Kirby Company]]. [[Tyco Healthcare]], Sharing Seminars and more,<ref>http://www.themiracleman.org/test.htm</ref> as well as religious organizations.<ref>http://www.themiracleman.org/churches.htm</ref> His experience with chiropractic inspired Goodman to create a special presentation for chiropractors.<ref>http://www.themiracleman.org/chiro.htm</ref>


==Media appearances==
==Media appearances==
Morris E. Goodman wrote a book about his experiences, "The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage."<ref name="book" /> A motivational/training short film<ref>http://www.themiracleman.org/products.htm</ref> about Morris' experience was produced soon after, and a feature film<ref>http://www.indiewire.com/article/iws_project_of_the_week_the_miracle_man_vote_again</ref> of his story, written and to be directed and produced by filmmaker [[Brian Jude]], is currently in development, both of which are aptly named ''The Miracle Man''. Goodman received international attention when he shared his story in [[Rhonda Byrne]]'s documentary film<ref>http://thesecret.tv/thesecretfilm</ref> and book,<ref>http://thesecret.tv/thesecretbook</ref> ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''. Goodman also appeared on a 2006 episode of [[Larry King Live]],<ref name="CNN" /> [[The 700 Club]],<ref name="700Club" /> as well as in the 2008 film<ref>http://www.theopusmovie.com</ref> and 2011 book<ref>http://www.theopusmovie.com/book.php</ref> "The Opus" by Douglas Vermeeren.
Goodman wrote a book about his experiences, ''The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage''.<ref name="book" /> A motivational/training short film about Morris' experience was also made,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themiracleman.org/products.htm |title=The Product Previews |publisher=Themiracleman.org |date= |accessdate=2012-08-02 |archive-date=2018-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232058/http://www.themiracleman.org/products.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a feature film of his story, written and to be directed and produced by filmmaker [[Brian Jude]] is currently in development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/iws_project_of_the_week_the_miracle_man_vote_again |title=IW's Project of the Week "The Miracle Man"; Vote Again! &#124; Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews |publisher=Indiewire |date=2011-11-08 |accessdate=2012-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesecret.tv/stories/stories-read.html?id=24149|title=Secret Story: "The Miracle Man" As A Feature Film}}</ref> Goodman also appeared in [[Rhonda Byrne]]'s documentary film and book ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesecret.tv/thesecretbook |title=The Secret Book :: Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power |publisher=Thesecret.tv |date= |accessdate=2012-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thesecret.tv/thesecretfilm |title=The Secret Film :: Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power |publisher=Thesecret.tv |date= |accessdate=2012-08-02}}</ref>

==Trivia==
Morris' second wife, [[Cathy Goodman]], also appeared in ''[[The Secret (2006 film)|The Secret]]''.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}
<!--- After listing your sources please cite them using inline citations and place them after the information they cite. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --->
*
*
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.themiracleman.org Morris Goodman: The Miracle Man (official site)]
*{{Official website|http://www.themiracleman.org}}
*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2204325/combined The Miracle Man (Feature film Internet Movie Database page)]

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
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| NAME =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = November 9, 1945
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodman, Morris E.}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:American self-help writers]]
[[Category:American motivational speakers]]
[[Category:American motivational speakers]]
[[Category:American motivational writers]]
[[Category:American motivational writers]]

Latest revision as of 01:41, 11 December 2024

Morris E. Goodman
Born (1945-11-09) November 9, 1945 (age 79)
NationalityAmerican
Other names"The Miracle Man"
Occupation(s)Motivational speaker, author
Known forSurviving a plane crash that almost made him not able to speak, walk, move and eat.
SpouseCathy Goodman
WebsiteOfficial website

Morris E. Goodman (born November 9, 1945)[1] is an American motivational speaker and author. Goodman has been called "The Miracle Man" following his recovery from a plane crash which left him paralyzed and unable to move, breathe, talk or swallow.[2]

Biography

[edit]

In the summer of 1970 Goodman "was a college dropout, lacking purpose and direction" according to his 1985 autobiography.[1] At a local book store, Goodman found the 1937 book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill,[3] as well as other books and tapes by motivational speakers such as Zig Ziglar. Following this, Goodman sought a sales career in the insurance industry, where his uncle worked. Within a year, he had joined the Million Dollar Round Table, an association of insurance salesmen. Within ten years, he was running his own company, Morris Goodman and Associates.[1]

In March 1981 Goodman had obtained his pilot's license and had bought his own airplane, a Cessna 172. On March 10, 1981, Goodman took a flight around Chesapeake Bay and the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. Without any warning, the plane's engine lost power. Goodman attempted to maneuver the aircraft back toward the airstrip in Cape Charles, Virginia, to make an emergency landing. (The official NTSB accident report makes no mention of engine trouble.)[4] As he approached the runway, the plane flew through a low-hung set of power lines, crashed to the ground, and flipped over. Goodman broke his C-1 (atlas) and C-2 (axis) cervical vertebrae, and was left fully paralyzed. He was unable to breathe, talk, or swallow on his own,[5] and could only communicate by blinking his eyes.[6]

After initial treatment at a local hospital in nearby Nassawadox, Virginia, Goodman was moved to Norfolk General in Norfolk, Virginia, where surgery was performed. Goodman's sister, Pat Waldo, realized that Goodman was conscious by noticing his limited eye movement. Waldo constructed a series of charts which contained the alphabet and other important subjects, each item correlating to a particular number. Goodman was able to blink his eyes for the number of times to relate to a particular object on each chart, which allowed Goodman to communicate in a limited capacity.[1]

On April 6, 1981, Goodman was transferred to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. After weeks of intense practice, voluntarily using other abdominal muscles, Goodman was able to take his first breath without the use of a machine.[5] Doctors slowly reduced the settings on Goodman's ventilator until he was finally able to breathe on his own. Soon Goodman began working with speech therapists until he was able to utter a single word - "Mama." On June 1, 1981, Goodman was moved to The Towers - a former rehabilitation center at UVA Medical Center where he began to eat, and began working on learning to walk again.[1]

On July 6, 1981, Goodman was admitted to the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Virginia. With physical therapy and occupational therapy, Goodman continued to work to improve his leg muscle strength and stamina until he could stand on his own. After several weeks, Goodman was able to walk unassisted, and was released on November 13, 1981.[1]

Morris has since gone on to become a world-renowned motivational speaker who has worked with many Fortune 500 companies and religious organizations.[3]

Media appearances

[edit]

Goodman wrote a book about his experiences, The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage.[1] A motivational/training short film about Morris' experience was also made,[7] and a feature film of his story, written and to be directed and produced by filmmaker Brian Jude is currently in development.[8][9] Goodman also appeared in Rhonda Byrne's documentary film and book The Secret.[10][11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Goodman, Morris (1985). The Miracle Man: An Inspiring Story of Motivation and Courage. Miracle Man Productions, Inc. ISBN 0-13-585357-5.
  2. ^ "Morris Goodman: In The Blink Of An Eye". Christian Broadcasting Network. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  3. ^ a b Success Magazine: "Morris Goodman: Miracle Man" June, 2013 http://www.success.com/article/morris-goodman-miracle-man
  4. ^ https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=28506&key=0 [bare URL]
  5. ^ a b "CNN.com - Larry King Live Transcripts" 2006-10-27. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0610/27/lkl.01.html.
  6. ^ "The Violet Ray Magazine, August 2, 2010 http://issuu.com/violetray/docs/tvr_go_green_dec08.
  7. ^ "The Product Previews". Themiracleman.org. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  8. ^ "IW's Project of the Week "The Miracle Man"; Vote Again! | Filmmakers, Film Industry, Film Festivals, Awards & Movie Reviews". Indiewire. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  9. ^ "Secret Story: "The Miracle Man" As A Feature Film".
  10. ^ "The Secret Book :: Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power". Thesecret.tv. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  11. ^ "The Secret Film :: Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power". Thesecret.tv. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
[edit]
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