Gymnast, cheerleader and class president Carlana Stone used to have it all until one incident changed everything.  After a night of drinking in Dallas, Texas, she got into a car with friends and had a terrible accident.  Everyone was fine except for her, as she broke her back and legs and was never able to walk again.

Throughout the years, Carlana Stone worked on overcoming adversity through perseverance, self-discovery and personal victories.  From surviving and overcoming an abusive relationship to being the first wheelchair-bound reporter in Miami, this woman is determined to prove that people struck by tragedy don't have to remain victims forever.  Carlana has published her own book Never Give In, Never Give Up and is soon to be the first American female paraplegic to fly solo in the U.S.  Carlana graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Slavic languages.  She also enjoys scuba diving, skydiving and skiing.  She firmly believes that the wheelchair is less of a restraint and more of a force in her life.

She is currently busy working as a TV producer and resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two cats.  She also manages The Courage Community, a non-profit organization and online network community that benefits injured Iraqi veterans.  "If I can use my experience to help someone else work through their pain a little more quickly, then it's all been worth it," said Carlana.

Carlana's weaknesses are sushi, crème brûlée and cream cheese frosting.  She likes watching Pedro Almodóvar's Volver and listening to the music of Steely Dan.  She spends her weekends flying with her husband and spending quality time with family and friends.

Carlana Stone is one of the 10 contestants on ABC's reality game show Oprah's Big Give, where each contestant is given a large sum of money as they compete in finding “the most powerful, sensational, emotional and dramatic ways to give to others.”  She joined the contest because she wanted to see how well she has learned from her experiences and because she seeks to empower other people.


(Photo courtesy of ABC)