Running Toward Confidence

Oct 13, 2021

“People who understand and appreciate struggle, are able to understand why they were created and what they were sent here to do.”  Richard Bernstein 

In this episode Denise talks to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, who recounts a tragic story that led to a valuable life lesson.  One day while walking in Central Park in New York City, Richard was struck by a bicyclist traveling 35 mph.  He spent ten weeks recovering in the hospital, learning to walk again.  To this day he still deals with immense physical pain.  His secret to moving forward—adaptability.  Believing that all the struggles he’s faced are part of a bigger, grander plan, motivates him to help others.  The greatest gift the Creator gives in struggle and loss is the ability to connect with others and through that connection remarkable things can happen. 

Find out from Richard: 

• How a personal tragedy led to improving New York City’s Central Park 
• Why he believes bad things happen to good people 

• Where his ability to empathize comes from, and its importance in his role as a judge 
• His advice to teens when life is tough: your time WILL come! 
• Why he loves Detroit so much 

Justice Richard Bernstein is the first blind justice elected to the Michigan Supreme Court.  Prior to being elected to Michigan’s highest court, Justice Bernstein was known as a tireless advocate for disabled rights as an attorney heading the public service division of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills, Michigan.  Blind since birth, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.  He is an avid runner, having completed 24 marathons and several triathlons.  In addition to his many professional honors and awards, in 2013 Justice Bernstein was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 

Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years.  As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world.  Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents. 

 

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