2014
Keynote: Activity Professionals Of Ontario
The proudest and most honourable opportunity of my life…
I worked as an Activation Coordinator in Long Term Care for close to a decade, where I created, coordinated and provided activities customized for 5 main needs: Emotional, Social, Intellectual, Physical & Spiritual. (sound familiar?! This is why I created the same categories for tips)
I kept in contact with my college professor (Anne Marie) after graduation as I progressed in my career from Activation, to Documentation Coordinator then Quality Improvement Coordinator. I even was a guest speaker a couple times for one her class, teaching her students on documentation and the important role it plays in funding.
After the bt happened, we still stayed in touch- when walking again I visited her class and gifted all the students a copy of my book Day By Day. If anyone, they could relate to my story.
When Anne-Marie invited me to be the Keynote of the ‘Activity Professionals of Ontario – 30th Anniversary Convention’, I was taken back- beyond honoured.
Ah life… little did we know about the pop-up need for full radiation a couple months before the Keynote!!! I could have understandably bowed out. Sure, the surprise 6 week full head/spine radiation set me back, but there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity. Pfff.
There was no time to bask in the awesomeness of the event- more like, ‘Oh crap! I have little time to prepare for this Keynote’: I was to speak for 45 MINUTES LONG in front of a FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE. “An Activity Professional and Brain Tumour Survivor”.
I had the speech ‘ready-ish’, but…. could use more organization and feedback; Not only did I have recent ‘radiation brain’, I had never given a speech in this magnitude!
….. hear that?…*faint whispers* “Helllpppp meeeee”
Toastmasters to the rescue!! Dunn dun dun DAAA!
So incredibly grateful for the Markham Ontario Toastmasters. Especially Jean, Eric B and Hitesh who met with me outside the group for an ’emergency rehearsal’ of the speech and provided much needed feedback and tips. I was even made a binder of notes in large print I could gaze at if lost concentration.
PHEW!!
An hour before doors opened to the auditorium, I remember standing up on stage looking out to this enormous empty room. The deafening silence made me take calming breaths deeply in and out. Me? This is for ME?
As time crawled closer and closer my nerves were starting to take over, my shaking started to calm as I told myself I was excited not nervous (mind trick) Eeeeee exciting!
grateful for this opportunity!! Eeeee
To begin the address I had Bobby Allen (childhood bestie’s little brother) come up and played a song, what else? but cover of Doug and the Slugs’ song “Day By Day“. (That song sure is relatable for residents and staff in Long Term Care, isn’t it?)
Well… I did it! Such an electrically exciting experience! The opportunity to speak at this convention will always be my greatest honour. Can’t help but doubt the quality of my speech because of my radiation brain… I know, I know- ‘don’t be too hard on yourself’. Forever grateful. xoxo
Standing Back Up: Public Speaking
Toastmasters (’14-’18), Activity Professionals of Ontario Keynote (2014), Life Messages (2014)
Speeches ranged from