Look Who it Was Random video

How stories make dying less scary | Susan Wener | TEDxMontreal

4,103 views · Published 5 May 2017 · 18:21 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2017 · Nonprofits & Activism

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The power of story can be life changing. When people are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, few are prepared. Doctors have tools to cure the body, but no one talks about how to heal the soul. A therapist and two-time cancer survivor, Susan Wener knows that story-telling can shift perspective. It all depends on how you choose to tell yours. Will you believe there's nothing that you can do? Or will you give meaning to the words “impossible simply means it hasn’t been done yet”.

Susan Wener had a happy marriage, three daughters and the grace of Audrey Hepburn. Then, she received the first cancer diagnosis, heralding a battle that began with one goal – to see her children finish high school. With dismal odds of surviving her second cancer, Susan had one lung removed and refused chemotherapy. Twenty years later and cancer-free, she released her memoir, Resilience, which became an overnight Canadian best seller. Susan is a therapist for people struggling with life-threatening illness. Susan sits on the Gynecological Oncology Tumor Board at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital. She is the proud grandmother of nine.



This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

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