Virtual Presentation, Coloured in Kindness, at St. Richard Catholic Elementary School
It was an inspirational morning presenting as a Virtual Guest Speaker to all students at St. Richard Catholic Elementary School. I was honoured to be invited by Ms. Podobnik, the school Principal, during their school wide initiative, “Colouring Our World with Kindness.”
Before I got started with my public speaking presentation, Ms. Podobnik gave a beautiful introduction. It was very much appreciated.
Following my presentation, questions were asked by many engaged students. I was absolutely delighted to answer them. Ms. Podobnik had some beautiful closing remarks, for which I was wholeheartedly grateful.
Virtual Exit Tickets were provided to students. Below are excepts from some of these:
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard/saw how we learned more about Giselle Gaylie about her life.”
This made me think … “That more people like Giselle Gaylie should do more of these virtual presentations.”
Now, I wonder … “Giselle should do this virtual presentation again soon.”
Today, I heard / saw … “don’t give up on yourself and always keep trying”
This made me think … “that I should never give up because sometimes I give up a lot”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how you can be a hero and I want to be able to do it as well”
Today, I heard / saw … “you and you are an inspiration to me”
This made me think … “of helping my self get better and practice more”
Now, I wonder … “if i was like you will i be as cool as you?”
Today, I heard / saw … “That people are different the inside and outside and it’s fine”
This made me think … “That anything is possible and you just need to put time into it”
Now, I wonder … “Can I do anything”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a very inspirational speech, and saw a very positive person.”
This made me think … “This made me think, I should start being more positive.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if ill ever see any of your speeches again!”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard the story of someone who overcame all the challenges in her life despite her disability, and she is living her life to the fullest. I heard about her struggles, and how she learned to love herself.”
This made me think … “This made me think about whether I am living my life to the fullest even though i don’t have a disability and about what changes I can make to be able to live life like her.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder about the people that don’t have her mindset and how they are making it through.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard and learned about another person life and how there condition has affected it. I heard about how much god truly loves us and how every single one of us is perfect in different ways.”
This made me think … “This made me think of how everyone’s lives are incredibly different and all important.”
Now, I wonder … “Now i wonder how i can try to make everyone feel happy and safe and welcome in what ever areas i can.”
Today, I heard / saw … “the difficulties that Giselle Gaylie had been through and how God and her really supportive and loving family helped her. Also, the many, many ways of how you should have a positive attitude and to be faithful and not let other people ruin how you’re feeling.”
This made me think … “that I should be grateful and that Giselle Gaylie is a truly strong and positive person and should be an influence on how we should act and be thankful. Also, that people should be more mindful with the words they use at school sometimes because some people joke about things like disabilities, and its ignorant and wrong.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie and some amazing words that inspired me.”
This made me think … “Even when people say negative comments about me i can get through it”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if i can be as positive as Giselle”
Today, I heard / saw … “a lot of things that made me think about my own life and how i can do better and i can be much more great full. i heard that i should start to love myself the way that god loves all of us. we have to love ourselves before we can love others”
This made me think … “this made me think that i am very great full and that i can overcome all my obsticals and i can do all that i want to if i want to. i can accomplish anything if i put my mind to it, i have to accept myself and i will do great things”
Now, I wonder … “i dont wonder anything”
Today, I heard / saw … “The story of Giselle Gaylie. I have heard about her family and her . Her challenges and her accomplishments. What life has looked like for her and how to make our life better everyday and how to love ourselves . How to find how we really are. I saw how people can really make a difference in someones live . Every single day.”
This made me think … “That I have a purpose . That God created me for a reason. I am loved and that all the challenges I have faced and are going to face are a gift and a blessing from God.”
Now, I wonder … “How I really am. What I can achieve . What life will look like if I don’t let mean comments get to me . What it will feel like to be positive everyday.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard about a woman named Giselle Gaylie. She has cerebral palsy. Giselle had gone through a lot of hardships with her disability from what I had heard in snippets during the presentation. Giselle continued to stay motivated and she continued to be greater than herself and did things that other people did. She doesn’t let her disability define her life.”
This made me think … “This made me think about how things are not always going to be easy and that you always need to keep a positive and motivated attitude and you can do anything. Don’t let the hard things in your life define your life. Live life the way you choose to live it and live it to the fullest like Giselle does. It was very inspiring.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder why people make fun of people with disabilities. People don’t understand the hardships and the battles that certain people have to go through. They have to stay strong, they have to stay positive, and they stay motivated. They bend the restrictions and live the life they want to live. People just make fun of how people function differently and it isn’t fair and it isn’t nice.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today, I saw Giselle! I heard that Giselle Is a Public Speaker. She talked about her life and her ups and downs in life. She is a very positive lady!”
This made me think … “This made me think of to always say positive and to remember that you are you. God made you!!”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if everyone can raise awareness and make a difference.”
This made me think … “that we are not nothing”
Now, I wonder … “that i can do stuff without being sad”
Today, I heard / saw … “we have to treat our self like we are our own friend”
This made me think … “should I do what Giselle did and become a public speaker?”
Now, I wonder … “how does Giselle feel during COVID-19?”
Today, I heard / saw … “that God wants us to be are best”
This made me think … “i am am one of a kind.”
Now, I wonder … “if i can do anything”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “how I love myself, Jesus, and how others love me.”
Now, I wonder … “How was MY sense of self formed?”
Today, I heard / saw … “In the presentation I heard inspirational things that give me happiness.”
This made me think … “The presentation made me think happier and more positive.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how many school she has bin to”
Today, I heard / saw … “All our challenges are really gifts.”
This made me think … “Of all our lives are planned by God like Giselle Gaylie.”
Now, I wonder … “How are challenges gifts???”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “that you can change your attitude can make you a better person”
Now, I wonder … “if i change my attitude will that make me a better person?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a strong women”
This made me think … “that dont let anything get in your way”
Now, I wonder … “if you got bullied in school”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a story about someone with a disability but still overcoming it”
This made me think … “That you can do anything you put your mind to”
Now, I wonder … “What can I do to beat the odds”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a very amazing speaker who is always positive about herself and doesn’t let anyone tell her different!”
This made me think … “This made me think that I should start believing myself more.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder now if she’s ever negative about herself because she always seemed so positive about myself!”
Today, I heard / saw … “A women who was born different and faced difficult challenges but showed that it only takes people who truly care to make you happy with who you are.”
This made me think … “This made me think what would I do if I was put in the same shoes and what I would do if I was born as differently as she was.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder how many people were born this way and do not make it because of their mental health and because of the lack of care for them”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a lady with some physical issues but I heard a lady with such an inspirational story”
This made me think … “That as long as you never give up and push threw the bullys then you will be successful”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she delt with bullys if she had any”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle Gaylie speak about how when times seem dire, you can help yourself in amazing ways, She had faced so many mental issues in her life but she had managed to counter it all with positivity and for that I am amazed and moved.”
This made me think … “Of how much Ms. Gaylie must have gone through in her life. Going through all that therapy because of the mental diseases she encountered as a baby.”
Now, I wonder … “If anything like that ever happened it to me I can think back to what she said and counter it with positivity.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard about Giselle Gaylie, someone who is very passionate about herself and pushes through the mean words and mean actions. She loves herself for who she is and inspires other people to do the same.”
This made me think … “This made me think about how I should appreciate what I have more and spend it wisely around the people I love and what I have.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if Giselle Gaylie always had these passionate thoughts, or if she wasn’t always proud of what she did and what she has accomplished.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today i heard/saw the guest speaker giselle gaylie talk about the challeges she went through and that with love and support from others and god we can surpass those challenges”
This made me think … “this made me think that if she can do everything she set out to do with the chalenges shes facing, then i could do it also.”
Now, I wonder … “now i wonder if there are others that are going through what she was going through that don’t have the same love and support like she did.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A girl named Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … “i should be more kind towards others.”
Now, I wonder … “how it would have been like in her shoes.”
Today, I heard / saw … “i heard all about her and how she belived in herself like people like me i always thought that i was not good enough now i know i am!”
This made me think … “That i am a better person and that god made me the way i am for a reason”
Now, I wonder … “Now i wonder why god made me like this?”
Today, I heard / saw … “how the lady was confident even with her disability and how she did it.”
This made me think … “how I can be more confident in myself because she did it even with people doubting her.”
Now, I wonder … “how she can keep going and ignore the doubters.”
Today, I heard / saw … “someone share their life story growing up with cerebral palsy and how they lived their life the best with the support from a loving family, friends and God.”
This made me think … “we shouldn’t be rude or make fun of others for who they are. We should always appreciate and love others no matter what. We should live life to the fullest.”
Today, I heard / saw … “i heard that even tho you might be different u have to respect urself”
This made me think … “about how people treat them selves and others”
Now, I wonder … “i dont wonder anythinh”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie talk about herself and her life story. She talked about her cerebral palsy and her other disabilities, she attended Christ the King elementary school and had difficulties with friends, and she talked about how God, her family and friends helped her along the way.”
This made me think … “about how she changed her life significantly even with her disability and struggles and maybe I could do the same.”
Now, I wonder … “how she got through all of her challenges, and how her disabilities had an advantage and disadvantage in her life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today i heard about how Giselle was able to ignore the negative things that were happening in her life and how she was able to overcome everything and still enjoy herself and becoming a public speaker to tell others her story.”
This made me think … “this made me think that not everything in my life sucks and i have to complain about the things that i don’t like when there are people that may not be able to do the things that i am capable of doing and may have way worse things going on in their lives that they may not like. we just have to look at the bright side and be grateful for the things that God gave us.”
Now, I wonder … “i wonder how Giselle’s computer is able to format what she wants it to say so quickly. when someone asked a question she was able to respond fairly quickly and i don’t think people can type that much that fast.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A person who had the proper support from other people so that even if they had something holding them back, they were still able to keep pushing on and get through life so far.”
This made me think … “This surprised me because life can be really hard at times at yet you still have all these amazing people that helped her even though it would be harder. I think it is really a motivating story about them and it shows that there still is a lot of good people who can help you do anything.”
Now, I wonder … “What does she plan to do in the future as a public speaker and why did she want to be a Motivational Speaker.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie talk about her experiences with having cerebral palsy. She talked about her difficulties and triumphs in her life.”
This made me think … “About how hard it must be to have cerebral palsy. Things in life are just harder and people always think of you differently.”
Now, I wonder … “What cerebral palsy exactly does and what causes people to have it.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story. She has cerebral palsy and is also deaf which means that she had to go through many challenges throughout her life so far. However, she stayed optimistic about it and continued to spread kindness. Now, she is a public speaker and tells her story to others to show them that we will have challenges in our lives but we should stay positive and remember that it isn’t the end of the world.”
This made me think … “about the ways we get very upset over something that can be fixed easily and don’t always think that people have it harder than ourselves. Most people have things in their lives that are way harder to fix.Instead of getting upset over the little things, we should take a deep breath and fix it. That way we can stop stressing about it and appreciate what we have and have done.”
Now, I wonder … “how did her brother feel about her disabilities? Even though he acknowledges that she needed more attention, did he ever get jealous or feel left out?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw and heard…an amazing motivational speaker named Giselle Gaylie! Giselle spoke about overcoming obstacles in life with her disability and how we can too. We got to know some things about her, like what she enjoys doing and the important people that have helped her greatly throughout her life. She spread the message of self-love and how caring and appricating for herself and those around her helps her to overcome anything life has to offer.”
This made me think … “This made me think about… how disabled people can do anything, that people without disabilities can do. They are not less capable and less fortunate, and Giselle proved this by showing how she keeps postive and showing what she can do, to all of us today!”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how…. Giselles technolagy that allows her to speak works?”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to be a kind and respectful person, and how to stay strong and never give up.”
This made me think … “that anyone can be successful in life if they try to be.”
Now, I wonder … “If I ignore people who give negative comments, can I be a better person?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I learned that we always have to think positive thoughts about ourselves.”
This made me think … “If she is special to every one?”
Now, I wonder … “If she was a nice person in school?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw someone that was different than me.”
This made me think … “That it is okay to be different.”
Now, I wonder … “What her family is like.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw someone who is strong and never gives up”
This made me think … “it made me think about how everybody should be treated kindly. and push themselves to work hard.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder what the possibilities are for everyone. What they are able to conquer. If I work hard, what can I achieve?? ?”
Today, I heard / saw … “How our life begins and how we are all special.”
This made me think … “It made me think about how God created us and the importance of our parents.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how are brains control our body.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard and saw Giselle gaylie she talk about her life”
This made me think … “that everyone is different”
Now, I wonder … “that everyone different because Giselle gaylie showed me that everyone is different and pretty the way they are.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard we are God children.”
This made me think … “We have kindness and love to people at School.”
Now, I wonder … “What is your favorite colour and number?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard / saw you have a disability.”
This made me think … “your talk made me think I can overcome anything.”
Now, I wonder … “do you type by your self.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that Giselle Gaylie is working to improve her life”
This made me think … “how can I improve my life”
Now, I wonder … “does she like pizza I like pizza”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today, I heard the importance of loving yourself and support of family and friends.”
This made me think … “This made me think that love and support is very important. Staying positive all the time is important, and surrounds yourself with positive people.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, because you are so inspiring, I wonder do you ever get sad sometimes?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard the inspirational life story of Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … “This presentation made me think about how thankful we should be for all the people in our lives.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder If the machine Giselle used to speak to us today used any special technology.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard many inspirational and moving messages that made me feel better about myself.”
This made me think … “This made me think of my relationship with those like my family, friends and peers”
Now, I wonder … “I now wonder how the machine that Giselle used to form sentences works and if it is easy to use?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie, doing a online presentation about how it was like gowing up disabled”
This made me think … “about how being disabled you can still do great thing and how everyone around you will suport and care for you as you grow up”
Now, I wonder … “if you ride a wheelchair how long till your bored”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today, I heard that its ok to be different and feel good about yourself”
This made me think … “this made me think of how hard others life could be”
Now, I wonder … “now I wonder if more people will appreciate how others are”
Today, I heard / saw … “That being kind is super easy.”
This made me think … “How can I make others super happy?”
Now, I wonder … “How can I make others feel happy when they are sad?”
It truly is a blessing to make a positive difference in the life of another. I am so pleased to have inspired them.
It was an amazing morning in everyway. I, too, left inspired by the virtual warmth, coloured in kindness by the staff and students at St. Richard Catholic Elementary School in Mississauga.
