Television Producer Returns to School After Stroke

Born and raised in Orange County, Trice Barto worked her way to the top and became a successful unscripted television producer. After enrolling at USC in 1993, Trice transferred to the American Film Institute in 1995 and graduated two years later. Since then, Trice’s career skyrocketed. She produced well-known television shows such as America’s Next Top Model, Hell’s Kitchen, and Wipeout. But in March 2016, Trice suffered a stroke that put her life and career on hold.

“I couldn’t talk and half of my body was paralyzed,” she recalled.

Trice’s stroke resulted in right-sided weakness, severe cognitive deficits, and speech difficulties. Being a storyteller for a living, Trice was terrified. But she was also determined to recover and regain the skills she needed to perform her work duties again.  

Just one month after her stroke, Trice was admitted to the day treatment neurorehabilitation program at CNS’ Los Angeles clinic where she began intensive neurorehabilitation therapy. Trice worked closely with her occupational and physical therapists to regain her strength and mobility, as well as with her education and speech therapists to regain her voice and ability to read. Trice was especially excited to attend education therapy, exercising her reading and writing abilities on a daily basis.

Three years after her injury, Trice decided it was time to return to the University of Southern California to complete her film degree that she started back in 1993. Committed to pursuing her education goals and overcoming her brain injury, Trice enrolled in college courses at Santa Monica College in 2021 to meet the pre-requisite requirements and acclimate herself to a school environment again. Shortly after, Trice reapplied to USC and was accepted again to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. 

“I am passionate about telling stories that highlight and help people - like me - face the physical, economic, and emotional challenges of living with a severe injury or illness,” she said.

Today, Trice continues to strengthen her cognitive abilities every day in school. She also regularly attends physical and speech therapy outside of school. Trice is excited for her journey ahead, eager to produce television shows again one day.