Grant Albrecht

Grant Albrecht suffers from Transverse Meyelitis, a demyelinating spinal cord condition for which there is no known cure. Since his onset 12 years ago, Grant has explored countless avenues of treatment from the traditional to the alternative, “and everything in between”. Moved by the suffering of those around him and frustrated by the lack of access to emerging new treatments, Grant helped develop East/West, an innovative internet portal, and online network West which he is preparing to launch later this year. Merging dynamic programming and innovative technology, East/West will become a global resource which will empower its audience with the access to information they need to navigate the latest breakthroughs in scienc.

“This will be the century of medicine”, he says, “there are miracles out there.” For Grant, the greatest miracle is in the promise of stem cell research.

A determined advocate, Grant seeks to empower those with chronic illness to chart their own course to recovery; at the same time he tries to enlighten and educate the general public. He is also currently working on a book entitled “The Obstacle Course in Miracles” which chronicles the many ‘miracle cures’ he has endeavored on his own journey.

Determined to be a prime candidate when stem cell clinical trials begin, he battles atrophy with rigorous daily physical therapy. Of those who have endured demyelination at his level for as many years, he is one of the only people on medical record who has retained any capacity to walk.

Until stem cells reach fruition, Grant inspires others to be both hopeful and proactive. “Its a delicate balance”, he says. “And when you lose your balance, you’ve gotta at least regain your gratitude- and have a major sense of humor”.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s Actinging conservatory, Grant had been an actor in New York where he worked on and off Broadway and in film and television. In order to both retain his health insurance and to represent the differently-abled in the media landscape, Grant still occasionally works in Television appearing most recently on ER and CSI NY. He is also an ubiquitous voice over artist. But he says “ in my real life, I  teach other people how to talk.” Grant teaches strategic communication skills, and is a sought after speech writer and coach.