Reference
- Ben Carson (1951–)Benjamin S. “Ben” Carson was born on September 18, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. A child with a quick temper and a lack of interest in school, he later turned his life around. After earning a scholarship out of high school, Carson received a B.A. in psychology from Yale University and an M.D. in neu-rosurgery in 1977 from the University of.
In 1984 at the age of thirty-three Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States. In 1985 Johns Hopkins named him director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery. In 1987 Carson received national and international acclaim when he successfully separated a pair of West German Siamese twins in an operation that lasted twenty-two hours and was supported by a surgical team of seventy doctors, nurses, and surgical technicians.
Carson survived his own personal health challenge in 2002 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer but endured and continues to serve. He has authored three bestselling books, including The Big Picture (1999), and has received the 2008 Presidential Medal of Freedom and other awards. He established the Carson Scholarship Fund and co-founded the Benevolent Endowment Fund to assist with financial concerns of the uninsured. His own triumph over personal circumstances has also made him a sought-after speaker and inspiration for young people.
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Perspectives
Gifted Hands
Ben Carson used to be the class dummy. Today he is one of the world's most brilliant surgeons.Gifted Hands Kids Edition tells the extraordinary true story of an angry, young boy from the inner city who, through faith and determination, grew up to become one of the world's leading pediatric neurosurgeons. When Ben was in school, his peers called him the class dummy. But his mother encouraged him to succeed, and Ben discovered a deep love of learning. Ben found that anything is possible with trust and determination.
The Big Picture
In his grade school days, Ben Carson would hardly have been voted "most likely to become a famous surgeon." His classmates had already given him another label: class dummy. Then a light clicked on for Ben-and a consuming passion for learning that catapulted him from "zero" test grades to a Yale scholarship, a pioneering role in modern medicine, and an influence that has extended from inner-city schools to corporate boardrooms and Washington corridors of power. What made the difference? Belief in his own potential, a commitment to education and making the most of his opportunities to learn, determination to make the world a better place, and faith in a God who knows no limits. Seeing the Big Picture. In The Big Picture, Ben Carson reveals the spiritual and philosophical foundations that undergird not just his dramatic career, but his approach to all of life. As in his best-selling Gifted Hands Dr. Carson shares colorful behind-the-scenes anecdotes. As in Think Big, he describes his practical principles for success. But The Big Picture is more than an autobiography or a personal-effectiveness manual. Rather, it's a multifaceted look at the faith and vision that can see us all through hardship and failure, and stir us to bold exploits on behalf of something greater than ourselves. Dr. Carson begins by describing how he cultivated a Big-Picture perspective in his own life. Then he discusses ways to which all of us can approach parenting, family, business and friendships with the Big Picture in mind. Finally he looks at some pressing social issues-in particular, racial diversity, health care, and education-and considers how we ought to view them and what we should do about them in light of the Big Picture. Drawing on a vast array of experiences in roles ranging from trailblazing surgeon to public speaker, to husband and family man, Ben Carson shows how we can turn the course of our lives, out communities, our country, and our world by keeping the Big Picture always in mind.
Take the Risk
No risk, pay the cost. Know risk, reap the rewards. In our risk-avoidance culture, we place a high premium on safety. We insure our vacations. We check crash tests on cars. We extend the warranties on our appliances. But by insulating ourselves from the unknown--the risks of life--we miss the great adventure of living our lives to their full potential. Ben Carson spent his childhood as an at-risk child on the streets of Detroit, and today he takes daily risks in performing complex surgeries on the brain and the spinal cord. Now, offering inspiring personal examples, Dr. Carson invites us to embrace risk in our own lives. From a man whose life dramatically portrays the connection between great risks and greater successes, here are insights that will help you dispel your fear of risk so you can dream big, aim high, move with confidence, and reap rewards you've never imagined. By avoiding risk, are you also avoiding the full potential of your life? The surgery was as risky as anything Dr. Ben Carson had seen. The Bijani sisters--conjoined twins--shared part of a skull, brain tissue, and crucial blood flow. One or both of them could die during the operation. But the women wanted separate lives. And they were willing to accept the risk to reach the goal, even against the advice of their doctors. . . . As a child on the dangerous streets of Detroit, and as a surgeon in operating theaters around the world, Dr. Ben Carson has learned all about risk--he faces it on a daily basis. Out of his perilous childhood, a world-class surgeon emerged precisely because of the risks Dr. Carson was willing to take. In his compelling new book, he examines our safety-at-all-costs culture and the meaning of risk and security in our lives. In our 21st-century world, we insulate ourselves with safety. We insure everything from vacations to cell phones. We go on low-cholesterol diets and buy low-risk mutual funds. But in the end, everyone faces risk, like the Bijani twins did with their brave decision. Even if our choices are not so dramatic or the outcome so heartbreaking, what does it mean if we back away instead of move forward? Have we so muffled our hearts and minds that we fail to reach for all that life can offer us--and all that we can offer life? Take the Risk guides the reader through an examination of risk, including: A short review of risk-taking in history. An assessment of the real costs and rewards of risk. Learning how to assess and accept risks. Understanding how risk reveals the purpose of your lives.
One Nation
Dear Reader, In February 2013 I gave a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. Standing a few feet from President Obama, I warned my fellow citizens of the dangers facing our country and called for a return to the principles that made America great. Many Americans heard and responded, but our nation s decline has continued. Today the danger is greater than ever before, and I have never shared a more urgent message than I do now. Our growing debt and deteriorating morals have driven us far from the founders intent. We ve made very little progress in basic education. Obamacare threatens our health, liberty, and financial future. Media elitism and political correctness are out of control. Worst of all, we seem to have lost our ability to discuss important issues calmly and respectfully regardless of party affiliation or other differences. As a doctor rather than a politician, I care about what works, not whether someone has an (R) or a (D) after his or her name. We have to come togeth
Strong Family Ties
- Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
Ben Carson head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins discusses the etiology of self confidence within African American families over the generations. Distributed by PBS Distribution.
PACmen
- Kanopy This link opens in a new window
An unprecedented look at the men behind the Super-PACs that persuaded Dr. Ben Carson to run for President and their efforts to catapult him to the top of the polls.
From Poverty to Purpose: The Ben Carson Story
- Kanopy This link opens in a new windowHow does an inner city African American kid with a self-proclaimed violent temper, become a world renowned brain surgeon, an inspiring role model for disadvantaged youth, a medical innovator and achieve success... against all odds? In 2001, CNN and Time Magazine named Ben Carson one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists. His mother was his most influential inspiration, changing Ben from worst to first. He gained respect as he soared to the top of his class. He applied himself, stayed focused on achievement, studied hard and graduated from Yale with a degree in psychology; where he met his future wife, mother of his children and life partner, Candy.
Online Resources
- Dr. Ben & Candy Carson Official WebsiteView Ben Carson's official website to learn more about what charitable efforts and other events he is currently involved in.
- Dr. Ben CarsonDr. Ben Carson, prominent neurosurgeon from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, received a standing ovation from PDI attendees. He told his personal story, amazing in itself, of a journey from the ghetto, where young men were not expected to live beyond age 25, to his completion of medical school and his rise in his profession to where he now is consulted on and asked to perform many of the operations to separate conjoined twins.
- Split decision: surgeon Ben Carson is a master at separating conjoined twinsGrowing up in Detroit, Benjamin Carson's nickname was Dummy. "I thought I was stupid," he recalled. "and everybody pretty much agreed."
Carson's dunce days ended long ago. Today, he is a famous surgeon who has traveled the world performing operations on conjoined twins--identical twins born with connected body parts.
How did Carson go from being a struggling student to a master of medicine?
Family Struggles
- Films on Demand This link opens in a new windowBen Carson's mother speaks about the family's struggles with poverty. Distributed by PBS Distribution.