Ridgewood Broadway Actress Receives Courage Award

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Ali Stroker has never let anything come in the way of her dreams. The Ridgewood native and Broadway actress was awarded the Celebration of Courage Award by the Children's Specialized Hospital earlier this month.

Stroker was paralyzed from the chest down after injuring her spinal cord when she was 2. She rehabilitated at the hospital. She is the first person in a wheelchair to graduate from New York University's Tisch drama program.

Stroker trained at the Paper Mill Playhouse and played the role of Anna in the production of "Spring Awakening." She was a finalist on season two of the "Glee Project" and was nominated for the Barrymore Award for her role of Olive in "The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

"Ali is an advocate and inspiration for everyone and is proof that any limitation can be an opportunity," said Philip Salerno III, president of the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation. "[She] has continued to provide support and inspiration to everyone in the Children's Specialized Hospital family."

The Celebration of Courage Award was created in honor of Jim Pascuiti, a quadriplegic and advocate of individuals living with disabilities.

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