Recommendation Letter from

J. David Roccaforte M.D.
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
New York University
Co-Director SICU, Bellevue Hospital

In a city that has seen it’s share of tragedy, in a medical center which receives a high volume of trauma, our greatest reward as health care providers in treating these patients is seeing them return to the life they led prior to being injured. Theresa Sareo has done one better: taken her traumatic experience, and transformed it into artistic inspiration, personal motivation, and now as a means to help others. It is an honor for me to recommend her for speaking engagements.

She has become a beacon of inspiration for amputees, volunteering as a peer counselor at Bellevue hospital. As a colleague, she has also provided invaluable feedback from a former patient’s perspective. In conferences and seminars, she has spoken to staff about her injury, her hospital experiences, her recovery and physical rehabilitation. She has articulated her observations, her fears, and her frustrations in a way that is non-threatening, and accessible to hospital staff, and in making herself available for these types of speaking engagements, has made our staff better doctors, nurses, therapists, and people. From one conference for trauma and critical care doctors-in-training and medical students, she received unanimous positive feedback such as: “Amazing,” and “I’ve never felt comfortable asking a patient the questions she answered.”

Her ability to capture and connect to an audience comes in no small part from her experience as an accomplished singer/songwriter. As she expands her public speaking, I have no doubt that she will be successful in bringing her message of hope, recovery and advocacy to a wider audience, and be the inspiration to others that she already is to us.

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"I was totally blow away by Theresa....her honesty, bravery, and story were heart wrenching. Her voice and songs were so powerful and beautiful. I could cry thinking about it....it really moved me. I think every nursing student, and hospital worker would benefit from talking to her. She would have a tremendous impact on them and their practice. She is very articulate and expresses herself very easily, and could speak for all patients--not just trauma patients. She is someone whose story will stay with me for a long time; a really incredible woman."

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E-mail from Fran Fracassi

Surgery Administration

Jacobi Medical Center

Theresa...I was so happy to meet you yesterday, even though it was only for a moment. I don't think you can possibly imagine the impact your story and gigantic spirit had on me (and, I am sure, every other person in the room). I was struck by your incredible strength, warmth and passion.

Your voice and songs blew me away. As the wife of a musician, I can truly appreciate your enormous talents. I hope your website has a list of your gigs, so we can come to hear you perform. Hopefully, we will have a chance to sit and chat.

On behalf of everyone... thanks so much for coming here and sharing your story. A big group hug from all of us. You are a truly remarkable human being and someone I honestly will never forget.

Can't wait to see you again.