A powerful story of resilience, disability, and hope is making its way into homes across the country.
When a life-changing injury happens, the impact extends far beyond the moment of the accident. It can change a person’s independence, relationships, future, and understanding of what is possible.
But sometimes, one person’s story can help another person see that life after catastrophic injury can still hold purpose, possibility, and hope.
That is the heart of Living in the Wake of Impact.
The documentary, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Sarah Moshman, tells the story of Sarah Milburn, whose life changed forever following a catastrophic car accident that resulted in paralysis. Her journey is one of resilience, determination, advocacy, and discovering that disability does not define who you are or what your future can become.
Now, that message is reaching audiences across the nation through PBS.
A National Reach for a Story That Matters
For those unfamiliar with television industry terminology, a carriage report helps show how widely a program is being distributed and the potential size of the audience it can reach.
Here is what the numbers mean:
1,243 Telecasts
A telecast is an individual broadcast of the film on a television station or channel. In other words, Living in the Wake of Impact has been scheduled to air 1,243 times during the reporting period. Each telecast represents another opportunity for viewers to discover Sarah’s story and experience the film’s message.
197 Channels
The film has been carried by 197 television channels. A channel refers to the specific television outlet or station carrying the program. Because PBS programming can be distributed through different station channels and subchannels, this number reflects the breadth of television outlets making the film available to their audiences.
123 Markets
A television market represents a geographic area served by local television stations. A market can include a major metropolitan area and surrounding communities where viewers receive programming from the same local television stations. Reaching 123 markets means the film has been made available through television stations serving communities across a wide geographic footprint.
40 States
The report shows the film has been carried across 40 states, demonstrating that its message is reaching communities throughout much of the country rather than being limited to one region.
What Does That Reach Really Mean?
Put simply, these numbers show that Living in the Wake of Impact is not being shown in just a handful of communities. The film is being distributed through hundreds of television outlets, airing more than a thousand times, and reaching television markets across 40 states.
The potential audience represented in the report is also significant. PBS estimates a potential audience of 239.7 million people age 2 and older across the markets included in the report.
That does not mean 239.7 million people have watched the film. Rather, it represents the potential audience living within the television markets where the film is being carried.
And behind that potential audience are real people who may connect with Sarah’s story.
People living with disabilities.
People recovering from catastrophic injuries.
Families trying to understand what comes next.
Healthcare professionals supporting patients through life-changing circumstances.
Legal professionals advocating for individuals and families.
And people who may simply need to see a story that reminds them they are not alone.
The report also shows that the film is reaching markets of all sizes, including 80% of the top 25 television markets, 72% of markets ranked 26–50, 68% of markets ranked 51–100, and 46% of markets ranked 101 and beyond.
That breadth is what makes the film’s PBS carriage so meaningful. Sarah’s story is being given the opportunity to reach people in major metropolitan areas as well as communities across smaller television markets throughout the country.
These numbers represent more than television statistics. They represent opportunities to reach people with a story of resilience, hope, advocacy, and possibility.
One Story Can Inspire Many
Sarah Milburn’s journey is deeply personal, but the experiences explored in Living in the Wake of Impact are shared by countless individuals and families navigating the aftermath of catastrophic injury.
The film offers an opportunity to look beyond the accident itself and consider the person, the family, the challenges, and the possibilities that follow.
It is a story about rebuilding.
It is a story about resilience.
It is a story about finding purpose after life changes in an instant.
And most importantly, it is a reminder that disability does not define a person’s potential.
By sharing Sarah’s story with audiences across the country, Living in the Wake of Impact is helping create greater awareness around the realities of catastrophic injury and disability while giving viewers an opportunity to connect with a story of strength and hope.
The Power of Sharing Stories
At LegalMed180, we believe stories have the power to educate, advocate, and create meaningful change.
Living in the Wake of Impact reflects that belief.
The film brings together personal experience, healthcare, life care planning, legal advocacy, and disability awareness to help audiences better understand what happens after a catastrophic injury and the many people who can play a role in helping someone move forward.
As the film continues to air on PBS stations across the country, its message has the opportunity to reach someone who needs it at exactly the right moment.
Someone who has recently experienced a life-changing injury.
A family member searching for hope.
A healthcare professional looking for a deeper understanding of the challenges their patients face.
An advocate working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Or simply someone who needs to hear Sarah’s story.
Watch Living in the Wake of Impact on PBS
The growing national reach of Living in the Wake of Impact is a reminder of the power of storytelling to bring awareness to issues that affect millions of people.
We are incredibly grateful to the PBS stations helping share this important story with audiences across the country, and to everyone who has helped bring Sarah’s journey to the screen.
If you have not yet seen Living in the Wake of Impact, we invite you to watch for it on your local PBS station or check your local PBS listings and the PBS app for upcoming opportunities to watch.
Because one story can change the way we see disability.
One story can inspire someone to keep going.
And one story can remind us that life after catastrophic injury is still a life filled with possibility.
Watch Living in the Wake of Impact and share Sarah’s story with someone who may need to hear it.
