(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

True to nature, the video “Still Melissa” made a loud mic drop echo – allllll the way to Greece! (Well, I shared it with them over email, but the former description sounds better haha!).

I 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.

I brought my best friend Ashley with me to experience it with me- my 20-something years ago ‘partner in crime’, “putting the F.U.& N. in dysFUNction’ Haha. It was nostalgic in itself. Memories made while making new ones together. Wow.

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, as mentioned.

Part of me thought the making of “Still Melissa” would be the final step to my BT story…. to hush the whispers, to answer the questions or satisfy the nosey or curious minds of the details. My details.

Although my long term radiation affects mixed with aging are kicking my azz might be slowing me down physically, I’ve still got more to give!

What’s that you say? Follow to find out 🙂 Let’s connect 🙂

LOOK OUT WORLD!

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!

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)