(Website opened in 2021- published in 2023)

Inspiring To Aspire

“I may have lost my job, but I didn’t lose my identity!”-

UPDATE: OCTOBER 2024

Recently travelled from Toronto Canada alllllll the way to Zakynthos, Greece to share my digital story on the big screen at the 1st annual International Digital Storytelling Festival #DSTFestival, September 27- 29 2024. The trip to was wonderful!

My story “Still Melissa” sat humbly quiet amongst the giants of dozens upon dozens of incredible soul-filling, thought provoking and game-changing stories from across the WORLD! There we about 160 stories submitted. What a feeling. I suggested to the organizers that it would be incredible to share what change these videos can do by next festival. https://dstfestival.org/

Some of my favourite moments were watching new friends Natasha reacting to her video playing on the big screen and Mani with a mic addressing the audience about his video.

Congratulations to Facilitator Mike Lang for being awarded by the organization committee for HIS personal story in the Health Category! 

*Digital Story links to be posted soon.

Aside from networking and deep meaningful conversations with rule makers and breakers, admittedly it was also nice to just RELAX. Between joining a conga-line and watching plates being smashed to sending Ashley’s Mom a pic asking for bail money because we ‘ended up in jail’ – I had an awesome time!

The cherry tomato on top of this Greek salad was the ongoing surreal feeling of having my long-time friend Ashley of 20-something years with me, sharing priceless memories and laughing while making new ones. I took a few days before and after the festival to soak up more exploring, connecting and grounding with her, and by myself.

TIPS INNITIATIVE....

Confession: my light is fading with asking on my socials for tips for fellow BT Lovelies. The rare glimmer of hope this is working was when I was told at the festival in Greece that someone found my website when diagnosed. It’s those moments when I exhale that the hours upon hours of work behind the screen IS actually making a difference <3

October 2024 I celebrated my 13 YEAR BRAINAVERSARY! Wooohooo! After returning from the Greece trip I’m re-calibrating my purpose while ‘scratching the itch’ of going back into public speaking, workshops and volunteering while I still can.

Cheers everyone!

Melissa xox

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

I may not be able to “fix” you, but together we can make lives better!

Standing Back Up: Inspired Echoes

Hats For Hope (’16, ’17, ’18), Let’s Just Because (2020), Inspiring to Aspire (2022)