Jim Curtis speaks about his spinal injury and recovery at New York book event with Jennifer Aniston
At a 92nd Street Y event in New York, Jim Curtis discussed his partial paralysis diagnosis, the challenges of acceptance and his approach to overcoming adversity, while Jennifer Aniston listened and asked about coping strategies.
Jennifer Aniston and her boyfriend Jim Curtis appeared on stage at the 92nd Street Y in New York City on September 2 to promote the release of a new book by a veteran hypnotherapist. During the conversation, Curtis described the spinal cord lesions he was diagnosed with in his twenties, which resulted in partial paralysis and chronic nerve damage.
"You don’t have to live as the victim. You don’t have to live in your suffering. It can become your power," Curtis told the audience, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance.
He explained that he initially concealed the true cause of his limp, claiming a motorcycle accident to avoid the stigma of a medical condition. Over time, he said, he learned to accept and love himself, a process he described as a 25-year journey.
Curtis also addressed practical concerns, noting that while he does not advocate abandoning responsibilities, fear should not prevent people from pursuing their goals. He encouraged focusing on desired outcomes as a way to manifest change.
Aniston asked Curtis for advice for those feeling trapped by daily pressures, prompting him to stress the need for realistic planning alongside personal growth.