DOCTORS WITH DISABILITIES AND OTHERS INSPIRED BY TRAGEDY SHARE STORIES OF RESILIENCE AND SURVIVAL ON '20/20'

Special Features Interview with 'The Good Doctor' Star Freddie Highmore

'20/20: The Good Doctors: Brilliance and Bravery' Airs Friday, December 22 (10:00- 11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC

The only thing more amazing than the lives they save are their own life stories. "20/20" Anchor Elizabeth Vargas sits down with doctors who have disabilities, are inspired by tragedy and practice improvised medicine, as they share their inspiring stories of resilience and survival. The special also goes behind-the-scenes on the set of "The Good Doctor" and interviews actor Freddie Highmore who stars in the show as Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. Highmore discusses how he prepared for playing the role of a doctor with autism and how the public has responded to his role. "20/20: The Good Doctors: Brilliance and Bravery" airs Friday, December 22 (10:00- 11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC. (OAD: 9/13/17)

The special edition highlights a number of stories, including that of Dr. Tyler Sexton, who didn't let his dream of becoming a doctor be hindered by his spastic diplegia diagnosis, which affects balance and movement below the waist. Despite advisors and professionals telling him he could never become a doctor, he persevered, and today is the Chief of Pediatrics at Singing River Health System in Mississippi. Vargas also speaks with Dr. Debbie Yi, who, unlike Sexton, decided to become a doctor later in life when she turned personal tragedy into professional choice. While on vacation, Yi received a call telling her that her sister had been hit by a subway. As a result, her sister lost her leg, and Yi supported her throughout the recovery period. Through this experience, Yi realized that her purpose in life was to become a doctor like the ones who saved her sister's life. The hour also features Dr. Luanne Freer, who practices medicine in a tent on the side of the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. Freer started "Everest ER," which does not have the same resources and equipment as a hospital, forcing her to improvise out of medical necessity. She shares the story of how she saved a man's life using improvised medical procedures and medications, including Viagra.

"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir. David Sloan is senior executive producer.