From Cancer Survivor to Tech Executive: A Resilience Story
At 21, Terry Healey was living what many would consider the perfect life. A junior at UC Berkeley, voted homecoming prince in high school, he seemed destined for success. Then a rare cancer diagnosis changed everything, setting him on an unexpected journey that would ultimately redefine his understanding of leadership, resilience, and human potential.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
What began as a minor nostril irregularity that friends pointed out evolved into something far more serious. After a maxillary biopsy, Healey received devastating news: he had a malignant maxillary tumor, a rare fibrosarcoma. Despite initially positive prognosis with clear margins, the cancer returned six months later with concerning symptoms.
The subsequent 11-hour surgery at UCSF Medical Center was extensive. Surgeons removed half his nose, half his upper lip, muscle and bone from his right cheek, the shelf of his right eye, six teeth, and part of his hard palate. The reconstruction required a full-thickness skin graft connected by a tube of tissue from his cheek to his chest.
Rebuilding More Than Just Physical Appearance
Over five years and 20 reconstructive surgeries, Healey faced not just physical challenges but profound psychological ones. The constant stares, children's giggles, and social isolation took their toll. His self-esteem plummeted, creating what he now recognizes as a dual challenge: physical disfigurement and emotional insecurity.
The turning point came through an unexpected source. Dina, a woman he met during one of his procedures who was receiving cervical cancer treatment, delivered a harsh but necessary truth: his biggest problem wasn't his appearance, but his insecurity.
"My internal scars were far more disfiguring than the ones on the outside ever were," Healey reflects.
From Survivor to Leader: The Business Case for Resilience
This revelation sparked a transformation that would prove valuable beyond personal healing. Healey developed what he calls a "survival kit" of seven strategies focused on rebuilding confidence from within. The approach worked remarkably well in professional settings.
By age 30, Healey had become a vice president of marketing in the tech industry. His career trajectory included VP roles at multiple companies and consulting positions with major firms like Cisco Systems and Intel. His success wasn't despite his visible difference, but often because of the skills it had forced him to develop.
The Hidden Advantage of Visible Differences
Recent research supports Healey's experience. A UK study found that 18% of people self-identify as having a visible difference, with 60% reporting hostile behavior from strangers. However, this adversity often creates unexpected advantages in professional environments.
"People with visible differences are forced to learn skills to overcome what they believe to be their shortcomings," Healey explains. "They learn to adapt, find strength, build character, gain resilience, and dig deep to find grit."
These qualities translate directly into leadership capabilities: empathy for team members, comfort with change, and broader life perspective. In an era where businesses increasingly value emotional intelligence and adaptability, these skills represent genuine competitive advantages.
Practical Applications for Organizations
Healey's journey offers several insights for modern organizations:
Inclusive Hiring Practices: Companies that overlook candidates with visible differences may be missing exceptional talent with proven resilience and problem-solving abilities.
Leadership Development: The skills developed through overcoming physical challenges, preparation, confidence-building, and empathy, are precisely what organizations need in uncertain times.
Team Dynamics: Leaders who have faced significant personal challenges often bring unique perspective to team management and crisis situations.
A Framework for Success
Now cancer-free since 1985 and married for 31 years to Sue, whom he met in his late twenties, Healey has codified his experience into what he calls the "ReBAR resilience framework." His approach emphasizes focusing on capabilities rather than limitations, contribution rather than appearance.
His story demonstrates a crucial business principle: that perceived disadvantages can become competitive advantages when properly channeled. In his keynote speaking and his upcoming book "The Resilience Mindset," Healey challenges both individuals and organizations to reconsider their assumptions about capability and potential.
"We just might be happier if we focus on what we're capable of, who we are, what we're fortunate to have, and what we can offer the world," he concludes. "That's the best way to fix our insecurities."
For businesses seeking resilient leaders and diverse perspectives, Healey's journey suggests that the most valuable employees might be those who have already proven their ability to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.