TEDxAkron 2012 was held on October 26th 2012 at University of Akron's Student Union Theatre.
Surviving USAir Flight 405: Kendra St. Charles
Kendra St. Charles was a passenger on USAir Flight 405 that crashed shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 1992. She survived the crash suffering second and third degree burns and a punctured lung. Others seated nearby did not survive. Kendra openly shares the details of her experience and how it has shaped her perspective about the things that matter most in life.
A childlike faith: Michael Bauer
Michael Bauer is a highly accomplished young Trombonist. He shares how his decision to pursue his dreams with a childlike faith has changed his entire outlook on life and served as a great motivating factor for his early success in life. Michael also performs a beautiful musical selection.
Energy of place: Tony Troppe
Tony Troppe is an inspired philosopher of positive thinking and the new urbanism, with a knack for creating vitality and beauty out of neglected historical buildings. Tony shares thoughts on how the renovation of neglected historical buildings can lead to the powerful, positive transformation of energy and culture in a city.
Lifesaving for sissies: Michael Gaffney
Lifesaving for Sissies: Not every person who saves a life does so by running into a burning building. The potential to be a hero is inside us all. Literally.
Stop wishing and start living: Barb Frye
Barb Frye does not let the fact that she is in a wheel chair slow her down. She is a wife, mother, author, motivational speaker, and counselor. At the age of eighteen, Barb's decision to get into a car with a friend after they had both been drinking is one she will live with for the rest of her life. As a result of that decision, she was in an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. But today, Barb spends much of her time lending her considerable wit and wisdom to motivational speaking. She teaches her audiences how to get past personal shortcomings and move forward productively in their lives.