Presented to Entire School at St. Ursula Elementary in Brampton Today
Today I was grateful to be invited as a Guest Speaker by Ms. Davenport, the Principal, to St. Ursula’s Elementary School in Brampton for their Anti Bullying Week.
The school’s focus was on inclusion today as they launched their Bullying Awareness Week. Approximately 450 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade eight assembled in an orderly manner in the gymnasium this morning.
Exit Tickets were provided to all students from Grade three to eight. Below are excerpts from some of these:
Today I heard/saw… “an inspiring story”
This made me think… “that Christ makes anything possible.”
Now, I wonder… “if anything happens to me or others will Christ be there with us?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle talk about how she faced not being able to walk, talk and hear.”
This made me think… “That you shouldn’t be afraid for what challenges may come…”
Now, I wonder… “How can I welcome more people and include them?”
Today I heard/saw… “that God made us all and no matter how different we are, we all matter!”
This made me think… “that no-one should be treated differently for no matter of the reason.”
Now, I wonder… “Why bullying has to continue for who they are or their culture, because it needs to stop! Open up and be friendly.”
Today I heard/saw… “that everyone matters.”
This made me think… “that everyone is unique and deserves to be treated the same.”
Now, I wonder… “that if you’re not related or if you’re bad, everyone should be treated with respect and kindness.”
Today I heard/saw… “that your never alone and there’s always people there for you”
This made me think… “There is nothing you can’t overcome”
Now, I wonder… “How do I make myself have a positive attitude?”
Today I heard/saw… “That you have to face your challenges”
This made me think… “That some people have harder challenges than me and they face it”
Now, I wonder… “If I can help more”
Today I heard/saw… “that she needs help with walking, but she keeps a smile on her face.”
This made me think… “that if I feel like I can’t do anything, I can do it and be proud of myself!”
Now, I wonder… “That I can now stand up to my problems and not be scared with what the result might be.”
Today I heard/saw… “Someone who has difficulties but always looked on the bright side and not negativity.”
This made me think… “I should not let bad things get in my way and be myself”
Now, I wonder… “Why do we get stopped by little problems.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard everyone is special in God’s eyes”
This made me think… “That nobody should be bullied because all of us are important.”
Now, I wonder… “if everyone’s nice”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie talk about how she grew up and when life gets you down, get back up also that your never alone.”
This made me think… “If I have hope in God, I can overcome all challenges.”
Now, I wonder… “If I can have a better understanding of a positive attitude.”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I saw that |Giselle Gaylie show us a presentation of her facing a lot of challenges.”
This made me think… “This made me think that God created everyone, and he did not make a mistake, and everyone matters.”
Now, I wonder… “What would it be like if I were in her shoes.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle talk about her challenges in her life.”
This made me think… “about how lucky I am but also this made me think that Giselle can face those challenges positively and so can I.”
Now, I wonder… “if Giselle can live her life positively, I can too.”
Today I heard/saw… “-I heard that she has problems walking but that doesn’t stop her.”
This made me think… “This made me think that we shouldn’t let the biggest/smallest things get in our way”
Now, I wonder… “if I can do anything without giving up.”
Today I heard/saw… “I saw someone use a device to speak about their challenges in life.”
This made me think… “that even though we’re all different we all matter. Just be yourself.”
Now, I wonder… “What are different challenges people face in their life?”
Today I heard/saw… “a different way of communication through the computer ?”
This made me think… “that no matter how different you are you can still be very successful and live life to the very fullest.”
Now, I wonder… “How the computer she uses to speak works.”
Today I heard/saw… “Someone that was different”
This made me think… “How did she become so brave”
Now, I wonder… “Is anything possible if you believe in yourself?”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard that we all matter, and we have the power to overcome our challenges”
This made me think… “This made me think that maybe I can overcome my own challenges”
Now, I wonder… “Now I wonder how I will be able to overcome my challenges and how others will overcome theirs”
Today I heard/saw… “A girl with a disability and how she receives the proper help from others and feels more confident in herself.”
This made me think… “How can I give others the same encouragement she received.”
Now, I wonder… “How can I include this in my everyday life and make others feel like this.”
Today I heard/saw… “’We are not all islands, we need each other’ -Giselle’s journey”
This made me think… “about how the smallest act of kindness like a smile can leave a huge impact in someone’s life.”
Now, I wonder… “how can I become more aware of each person’s unique differences and be more inclusive”
Today I heard/saw… “All about Giselle’s journey and how she’s working on being her best self.”
This made me think… “How something so small like smiling can make a difference in someone’s day.”
Now, I wonder… “How can I be more aware on how others are feeling.”
Today I heard/saw… “Just one thing in a day can change anything”
This made me think… “I think this means be more positive”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle talk about what happened in her life”
This made me think… “that humans can accomplish anything if we try hard enough”
Now, I wonder… “If I can encourage other people to never give up.”
Today I heard/saw… “-We all matter no matter what. -Others are always there for you. -to face challenges in a positive manner.”
This made me think… “-my appreciation of life -the privileges and advantages -God made us for a reason.”
Now, I wonder… “how she finds her courage to express who she really is.”
Today I heard/saw… “someone who is strong and a positive thinker”
This made me think… “About all the kids going through struggles”
Now, I wonder… “if we try, we can spread the message she has sent to us to others”
Today I heard/saw… “A person who had disabilities in her life and what she did to change the world”
This made me think… “If a person with disabilities can change the world why can’t we.”
Now, I wonder… “how, I as an individual can change the world by helping for everyone around me”
Today I heard/saw… “That everyone has their own problems, but we need to seek help and live our lives to the fullest!”
This made me think… “Am I living my life to the fullest? Am I helping others? Am I being inclusive?”
Now, I wonder… “Do I need to seek help? and can I help someone live their life to the fullest?”
Today I heard/saw… “About how people will need others help but that is a strength to ask for it”
This made me think… “the people that I can or could help.”
Now, I wonder… “how I can help more people”
Today I heard/saw… “To face challenges in a positive manner.”
This made me think… “What attitude I use when I’m faced with challenges”
Now, I wonder… “How I can improve on facing challenges positively and in a good manner.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie talk about her experiences and how we can change the world for the better.”
This made me think… “That there’s still hope in this world that we can change for the better.”
Now, I wonder… “how can I be as positive and kind as her?”
Today I heard/saw… “*Face challenges in a positive manner *No person is an island we need each other”
This made me think… “Her life of purpose and inspiration. Her self advocacy and love for everyone”
Now, I wonder… “How devoted she is toward reaching out to the community *Not allowing her disability hinder her dreams & goals”
Today I heard/saw… “someone with disabilities sharing inspirational messages and their story and the word of the Lord.”
This made me think… “We all matter, because God made us all how he wanted to. No one is not important.”
Now, I wonder… “How I can make a difference just like she is doing?”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I heard a public speaker with a disability talk about her life and how she overcame her challenges.”
This made me think… “This made me think that is an independent woman. It also made me think that you can be anything you want to be.”
Now, I wonder… “Now, I wonder where she got her bravery and inspiration from.”
Today I heard/saw… “To include everyone.”
This made me think… “There are so much people who are alone”
Now, I wonder… “I should include others!”
Today I heard/saw… “-A student / friend with disabilities (challenges). -An inspirational public speaker. -She never gives up”
This made me think… “-Everyone matters -I can overcome challenges -Inclusivity matters -People aren’t islands.”
Now, I wonder… “-I’m really gifted / blessed –Everyone has challenges -Anyone can succeed can I conquer challenges?”
Today I heard/saw… “That she said all lives matter and god makes no mistakes”
This made me think… “of all the people that think their lives don’t matter”
Now, I wonder… “What would happen if everyone thinks that their lives matter and that there is always someone to help.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard Giselle talking about how through her challenges she faced, she was not alone.”
This made me think… “that no matter what disabilities you may face, nothing can stop you from being the best you can be.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle talked about how it’s important to accept help and to face challenges in a positive way”
This made me think… “of how I don’t usually like to accept help or try again when something goes wrong”
Now, I wonder… “How can I take Giselle’s words and use them to help me face my challenges.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle a girl in a wheelchair.”
This made me think… “How fortunate I am to be able to hear, talk, and walk on my own.”
Now, I wonder… “Do I take advantage of my abilities? Do I not thank God enough? Thank You!”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle has faced many challenges but overcame them with positivity.”
This made me think… “that instead of her feeling sorry for herself, she decided to embrace what she has.”
Now, I wonder… “if I would be more positive, maybe there would be less bullying in our school.”
Today I heard/saw… “That Giselle faced lots of challenges but got through them with positivity.”
This made me think… “this made me think that with positivity, there could be less bullying”
Now, I wonder… “if I would be more positive, maybe there would be less bullying in our school and community.”
Today I heard/saw… “You are not alone, and we need each other. A woman in a wheelchair.”
This made me think… “How I matter. To not hold back the things I want to achieve.”
Now, I wonder… “How can I make a difference. How I need to be myself.”
Today I heard/saw… “about people who have challenges, but do not face them alone.”
This made me think… “That it’s better when we help each other and do not give up.”
Now, I wonder… “if people always trust God and do not give up?”
Today I heard/saw… “That everyone has challenges of their own, that’s what makes them human”
This made me think… “That everyone is equal, everyone is unique in their own way”
Now, I wonder… “Why everyone can’t be as accepting in the wo. The world might be more peaceful”
Today I heard/saw… “That people will need help and to know that we are not alone.”
This made me think… “how many people need help but don’t get it or ask.”
Now, I wonder… “Can people I know not be asking for help, but they need it”
Today I heard/saw… “That God made us all the same and we should respect that.”
This made me think… “Do I respect everything and everyone equally.”
Now, I wonder… “How can |I make this world a better world. I admire you, so keep going girl.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie talk to us about her and the support that she got. But to tell us to never give up.”
This made me think… “more about inclusivity and now we are all the same and how God never makes mistakes.”
Now, I wonder… “how many people are struggling with not being included?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle and that she isn’t like me she is unique in her own way.”
This made me think… “That no one is the same, everyone has their own talents.”
Now, I wonder… “if everyone treats others the way they wanted to be treated.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie talk about her life and how people helped her.”
This made me think… “Without other people’s help, life wouldn’t be possible.”
Now, I wonder… “How can I help other people?”
Today I heard/saw… “That a girl that has disabilities and went through a lot of challenges still loves her life.”
This made me think… “I should never give up and just keep going on with my life.”
Now, I wonder… “What will Giselle want to be when she grows up.”
Today I heard/saw… “that people get picked on for disabilities or other things but to stay strong.”
This made me think… “How mean it is to bully people and why people do it”
Now, I wonder… “if bullying will eventually stop and how do people deal with it.”
Today I heard/saw… “Someone’s presentation that has disability and has a hard life with that disability”
This made me think… “That we can go through the toughest times in our life”
Now, I wonder… “we can always try our best and always treat each other with respect.”
Today I heard/saw… “Challenges are a part of life”
This made me think… “on how I should deal with my challenges”
Now, I wonder… “how I should deal with my challenges positively”
I am so pleased to have inspired such a respectful and attentive audience this morning.
Special thanks to Mme Bahsous, who helped to set up the technology, and who also graciously volunteered to wear my FM System, while carrying the wireless microphone to students, who raised their hands to ask me questions.
Mr. Atkinson, another great school teacher, who was also a wonderful help to me today with the school’s audio equipment.
There were also several students, who were very kind to help their teachers with the set up this morning in the gymnasium. These notable students were Tristin, Jacob, Kymani, Gabriel, Emily Yacinthia, Kaiya and Maya. I am truly appreciative of all their help too.
It was an extraordinary morning with awesome friendly and helpful staff (who helped distribute and collect Exit Tickets) and a student population that made me feel most welcomed too.
