Wonderfully Blessed Afternoon at St Catherine of Siena Separate School on October 12, 2023
Warmth and kindness abounded at our visit at St. Catherine of Siena Separate School this afternoon. Warmly greeted by Ms. Smith-Foster upon arrival, she graciously escorted us to the gymnasium, where Ms. Menezes had the projector, the screen, sound and microphones all set up. It was absolutely awesome! Moreover, the incomparable Ms. Gicella Alvarez, my former Educational Resource Worker at school, came from yard duty to greet me. She is truly the best. I love her so much!
Following Ms. Smith-Foster’s gracious introduction, I presented my motivational public speaking presentation on the Relationship with Self and the Virtue of Love to the grade five to eight students. The audience was most attentive.
A question period ensued. Jaiden, one of the students, facilitated the question period by moving the wireless microphone amongst the students. It was great! Many students and teachers asked me questions, and they patiently awaited my responses.
After Ms. Smith-Foster’s appreciative closing remarks, we took pictures amongst this wonderfully inspired audience. Ms. Alvarez had to return to her class too; but she said very encouraging words to me before she left.
It was a great afternoon to be amongst such fantastic students. I saw a lot of smiles!
Before leaving the gymnasium, teachers were provided with Exit Tickets for their students to complete. Here are excerpts from some of these:
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a person telling us she faces challenges.”
This made me think … “I think that how is her life hard than our lives.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she faces lots of challenges.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How Giselle tries her best and put all her effort to stand and walk.”
This made me think … “Giselle is an incredible person who tries her best that I want to try my best too, put my best effort every time.”
Now, I wonder … “How Giselle always kept her positive mindset at all time.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw Giselle and she taught me that with God anything is possible.”
This made me think … “that we need to stand up for others and ourselves.”
Now, I wonder … “What would I do in her situation? would I be as confident as her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How even if someone has a disability they can enjoy life and enjoy different activities and hobbies.”
This made me think … “How we have to be kind and considerate while also not letting others words affect you”
Now, I wonder … “If she’ll one day be able to talk, or walk on her own.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story was truly inspiring. Even though she is suffering w/ her condition, she still managed to face it.”
This made me think … “To overcome obstacles / challenges.”
Now, I wonder … “how she went through her situation to always have a positive mindset.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story & how she believed & had confidence in herself.”
This made me think … “How that we as people are able to stand up & be positive even when we are at our lowest.”
Now, I wonder … “How she got through the rough times & if I am able to have a positive mindset just like her!”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a robot voice speak. I saw Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … “I should always include others.”
Now, I wonder … “How does she play sports.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a person telling us that we can overcome everything.”
This made me think … “We have to accept our challenges that we face”
Now, I wonder … “how much we can do with all of our challenges as we face them.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard that to believe yourself”
This made me think … “this made me think to ignore the negative comments”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she could talk thru the computer”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw someone with a disability.”
This made me think … “that even with a disability you can become a public speaker and change peoples perspective.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if peoples perspectives of her changed after hearing her story.”
Today, I heard / saw … “how she start her life. how she walked”
This made me think … “She is like us. People different should not make fun of them.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she plays with her parents.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard and saw someone with cerebral palsy in person.”
This made me think … “It made me think differently with others who have disabilities in a good way.
Now, I wonder … “if mute people could use what she used to communicate.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a very strong woman and I heard inspiring words.”
This made me think … “This made me think about how disabled people can still live a happy life.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how she can play sports.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie … about to be nice”
This made me think … “how she feels”
Now, I wonder … “if she got bullied”
Today, I heard / saw … “that we shouldn’t make fun of people’s disability’
This made me think … “that making fun isn’t good”
Now, I wonder … “be nice to people”
Today, I heard / saw … “a big commitment”
This made me think … “How her life must be hard”
Now, I wonder … “If I could handle my challenges”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone with cerebral palsy”
This made me think … “That the world is small because I’ve never seen someone with cerebral palsy.”
Now, I wonder … “That if Giselle could have such a bright and positive mindset, I should too.
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard something really inspirational.”
This made me think … “that I should always believe in myself. That to never give up”
Now, I wonder … “How she managed to get through all this.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie. How to Self Love”
This made me think … “That I can love myself and others more”
Now, I wonder … “How it makes everyone feel”
Today, I heard / saw … “An inspirational person.”
This made me think … “in a nice mood”
Now, I wonder … “How she thought of doing this.”
Today, I heard / saw … “how to self love”
This made me think … “to respect others”
Now, I wonder … “What did the other people think”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone with cerebral palsy talk about her struggles”
This made me think … “how to improve myself like what she did”
Now, I wonder … “how do other people with disabilities live their daily life’
Today, I heard / saw … “Pictures of Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “how Giselle faces those challenges”
Now, I wonder … “how she handles her life”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie. She has cerebral palsy.”
This made me think … “that she is okay with her condition”
Now, I wonder … “that I should be happy with myself”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl that had a like”
This made me think … “this made me see how lucky”
Now, I wonder … “is she doing good in life”
Today, I heard / saw … “about how to love myself”
This made me think … “about how many people struggle to simply respect oneself.”
Now, I wonder … “if I can love myself like how Giselle does.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that do not let any person make you feel down, I should find out who I am”
This made me think … “If she can do it I can too”
Now, I wonder … “If she does not let anyone make her feel I can too”
Today, I heard / saw … “About a person who became a successful person for following Gods path”
This made me think … “If she can do it, I can too.”
Now, I wonder … “How were they able to follow that path, even how she was pushed and bullied.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that anything can happen with God.”
This made me think … “This made me think that God gives miracles.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how much Giselle will grow.”
Today, I heard / saw … “That Giselle was diagnosed, and she never gave up and made it because of God.”
This made me think … “That God is our everything and we should respect people’
Now, I wonder … “How do people faces so many challenges in life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation”
This made me think … “What if I was in her body, how would I feel?”
Now, I wonder … “Will I make it just like how she did.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a woman who has overcome challenges despite her disabilities.”
This made me think … “that there are people out there who have to overcome much more than me and I should be grateful for what I have.”
Now, I wonder … “how do I overcome my challenges?
Today, I heard / saw … “with God you can do anything”
This made me think … “That as long as I have God I can do anything’
Now, I wonder … “How she uses the washroom”
Today, I heard / saw … “A fulfilled woman proudly sharing her challenges and blessings.”
This made me think … “That life is what you make it to be.”
Now, I wonder … “Can I do the same in my life?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a picture with Giselle Gaylie and I heard her”
This made me think … “Wow she graduated in a tuff situation”
Now, I wonder … “that any thing is possible with God”
Today, I heard / saw … “a graduate talking about her life”
This made me think … “how blessed I am and sometimes don’t realize”
Now, I wonder … “if I’m being ungrateful for the blessing God gave me”
Today, I heard / saw … “The challenges of Giselle Gaylie, The virtue of love and Inclusion”
This made me think … “that I should be less judgmental and to everyone around me”
Now, I wonder … “If I can have a positive mindset about myself and accept who I am. I also wonder if many other people were blessed like us.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “How blessed everyone is, and how unique / diverse God made us.”
Now, I wonder … “How we can welcome more people and make them feel accepted for who they are.”
Today, I heard / saw … “The story of someone”
This made me think … “How blessed I am”
Now, I wonder … “How did that person set an e.g.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A woman who faces so much challenges”
This made me think … “that no matter what never give up”
Now, I wonder … “How she got through everything by herself. She has God with her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “that I’m blessed”
Now, I wonder … “how lucky I am”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation about the virtue of love.”
This made me think … “of how to start loving myself and how to love others more.”
Now, I wonder … “how much people are struggling to love themselves?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw someone overcoming many challenges.”
This made me think … “how blessed I am.”
Now, I wonder … “how can I be a positive influence to my peer.”
Today, I heard / saw … “about loving yourself and to not think about what others say about you.”
This made me think … “Not to be hard to myself and to never give up.”
Now, I wonder … “how I can be a positive influence.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a story about a person that’s really strong”
This made me think … “that she is really strong”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she was able to dance and do sport”
Today, I heard / saw … “that she is different from us so not to judge”
This made me think … “to respect people”
Now, I wonder … “to never make fun of everybody cause its not cool”
Today, I heard / saw … “a beautiful speech”
This made me think … “to just be myself”
Now, I wonder … “if I can succeed like her”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard about how difficult someone’s life is”
This made me think … “That people can be so cruel”
Now, I wonder … “How she didn’t give up”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “How do I love myself”
Now, I wonder … “What would happen if I don’t love myself”
Today, I heard / saw … “About Giselle, a girl”
This made me think … “that maybe never give up”
Now, I wonder … “How old is she”
Today, I heard / saw … “the story of Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “That Giselle Gaylie is brave to speak publicly despite what people think.”
Now, I wonder … “How do I show myself the same self love Giselle shows herself?’
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a story about a girl who never gave up.”
This made me think … “Wow I can do anything”
Now, I wonder … “Can I live up to the fullest”
Today, I heard / saw … “about Giselle’s story”
This made me think … “what her life was like in school.”
Now, I wonder … “How growing up was like for her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a wonderful presentation.”
This made me think … “i was thinking of the other people that go through this.”
Now, I wonder … “how many people have this.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “Who I am / self love”
Now, I wonder … “About self love”
Today, I heard / saw … “A brave woman”
This made me think … “About how I think of myself.”
Now, I wonder … “If she can talk without her machine”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle doing and talking about her presentation.”
This made me think … “How incredible it was that she managed to accomplish all of the things she did and all of her goals.”
Now, I wonder … “Who helped her the most in her daily life?
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a story of someone’s life”
This made me think … “on how she overcame the odds”
Now, I wonder … “if you know what it means”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “About self love”
Now, I wonder … “What more about self love”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation about a girl named Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … “How could I be as courageous person like her”
Now, I wonder … “Now how could do all of that without having normal abilities.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw that she is walking”
This made me think … “This made me think that God loves us.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder that how she speak”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a story about a woman who showed us about her life.”
This made me think … “This made me think of how someone can not be so worried.”
Now, I wonder … “if she helped someone”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard how to be kind”
This made me think … “I think people should be more kind”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder why people aren’t kind”
Today, I heard / saw … “something inspirational”
This made me think … “That your very strong!”
Now, I wonder … “if you feel happy in life”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard about the presentation is having a good heart and about her story”
This made me think … “it made me think because she still don’t gave up”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder what she do she do on living”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “about self love”
Now, I wonder … “what more about self love”
Today, I heard / saw … “That you need to love yourself”
This made me think … “how she walk in public”
Now, I wonder … “how she skates”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie give a presentation”
This made me think … “books”
Now, I wonder … “if I can make a book “
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle give a motivational presentation”
This made me think … “Giselle is a truly strong person and deserves happiness no matter what”
Now, I wonder … “How she managed to stay strong throughout all of her troubles and still enjoy life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “she talked about how people judge her”
This made me think … “how people judge people because of there personality”
Now, I wonder … “how hard is it to handle that”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and her helpful/ motivational presentation.”
This made me think … “That we are all people with different hearts.”
Now, I wonder … “Why the world chooses violence over peace”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard Giselle Gaylie give a presentation about her life”
This made me think … “This made me think that i can do anything if i really try to”
Now, I wonder … “Now i wonder if i really have it so difficult in life”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard and saw Giselle Gaylie give a very motivational presentation”
This made me think … “This made me think how lucky am I of being born without a disability and being able to do everything normally”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder how hard life is having a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a motivational speaking”
This made me think … “that all of us can come across things and nothing is impossible”
Now, I wonder … “if i was her position it would be hard”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie “
This made me think … “about how hard she had to work to get to where she is and how much support she had to have gotten to get through school”
Now, I wonder … “how I would be in that type of situation and how much work i would be willing to put in to reach my goals”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “This made me think to be more diversted and to always accept people and don’t judge people on this outside, the inside is were it matters the most.. The heart.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how it would feel if i was in that situation it would be really hard to do certain stuff in my life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle and i heard her voice and learned about her life and childhood.”
This made me think … “It made me think how blessed i am and how everybody is unique in their own way”
Now, I wonder … “why life is so important and just to be who you are”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today i heard what she went through and about her life and what her goals are.”
This made me think … “that how did she made to be a public speaker with a disability because for a person like me I don’t even have a disability but yet I’m still scared to be a public speaker.”
Now, I wonder … “what different types of situation that she went through while she was growing up”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw how much of a journey anyone can take on, especially when they are burdened with the challenges of God. Giselle demonstrates the tenacity and skills she has simply by never giving up and reaching her greatest potential.”
This made me think … “I thought about how empathetic people can be with others who may need extra resources to fulfill the fundamentals of life. A lot of the teachers, staff and people around Giselle were more lenient and understanding to her, and their help makes me think how good people can be once they realize.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder about how her technology works to express and articulate her ideas. The devices she used in the presentation seemed to be a machine and text to speech system articulating her thoughts, since there weren’t any displayed commands Giselle did. The fact that technology like that exists astonishes me and makes me ponder if technology can be further enhanced to help those God challenges.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie a motivational speaker, and about the challenges and things she went trough as a child and currently.”
This made me think … “this made me think of others that this could have affected like if they went trough what she went through also it could have been a struggle because everyone might not be as confident and futuristic like her.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder if she was always confident not just her but everyone I wonder if others that struggle with what she does can also be as confident as she was and still is.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “This made me think about how cool it is that she is a motivational speaker and how no matter her disabilities she is still able to do so much and do what she loves.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she felt growing up in spaces where she may have been the only disabled one and if she felt excluded from others.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle talk about her life.”
This made me think … “That nothing should stop me from my goals.”
Now, I wonder … “what should I do in life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “what if this was me and people were disrespectful to me like this and trying to stop me from reaching my dreams.”
Now, I wonder … “if I can ever be just as brave and persevering as her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation and a motivational public speaker, Giselle Gaylie. Giselle Gaylie used the ai computer to talk about her struggles and her lifestyle. As she can’t talk because of the cerebral palsy disease.”
This made me think … “About how people all around the world are struggling and that I should be more grateful that I am healthy and have no disorders or diseases.”
Now, I wonder … “How people with diseases like cerebral palsy feel or people with dieases like this in general.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today i saw Giselle Gaylie for the first time in my life and i really enjoyed listening to her talk and she was very inspirational i hope i get to see her again.”
This made me think … “this made me think that to never give up on my dreams and to always be postive”
Now, I wonder … “i wonder how she learned to do things and how people new what she was saying before she could use the device she was using at the presentation”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard Giselle Gaylie talking about overcoming challenges and persevering.”
This made me think … “This made me think that anything is possible through hard work and persevering. It may take a while, but as long as you try your best, you can do whatever you set your mind to. I think this to be true, but neglected at times.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder if at some point in life, it’ll come to a point where I can easily do things without fearing the challenges that will come along with it.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today i heard and saw that Giselle gave a motivational speech/presentation about her struggles and it was really inspirational”
This made me think … “It made me think about my life my struggles and how i could overcome them”
Now, I wonder … “I don’t wonder anything”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that Giselle Gaylie was talking about how overcoming challenges and difficult obstacles through her life.”
This made me think … “This helped me believe that with hard effort and perseverance, anything is achievable. It may take some time, but as long as you give it your all, you can accomplish everything you set your mind to. I believe this is important, but it is sometimes overlooked.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder that in some point in life I can be where Giselle Gaylie.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw this woman who has had a disability since she was younger and she learned to do a lot of things and she told us how she learned not to let her disability stop her and she loves her self.”
This made me think … “This made me think about what people have to go through …”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how people have to go through and how people think of them”
Overall, students were inspired and that is always a great day!
I’m so glad and thrilled Mrs. Pompili Bosco, the Principal, invited me to present to her students. It was truly a wonderfully blessed afternoon at St. Catherine of Siena Separate School.
