Beautiful Blessed Morning at Father C. W. Sullivan Catholic Elementary School
Although the roads this morning were frightful, everyone at Father C. W.
Sullivan Catholic Elementary School was so delightful. Upon arriving, Ms.
Tavares, the school secretary, warmly greeted me. Right after, I met the
wonderful Ms. Rea, the school Principal. She was very kind, and welcoming. I
was very pleased to meet her. I always feel so honoured when I’m invited to
present as a Guest Speaker at a school, and this morning was no exception.
Ms. Rea kindly directed us to the gymnasium, where I would be presenting. I
was very excited by this opportunity to present to all her students. She was
very kind and she endeavoured to make us very comfortable in the gym.
Mr. Fairclough, ESL teacher, assisted in getting all the technology, I
needed, set up. It did not take him very long to have everything in place. So,
before long, I was ready and excited!
Classes came into the gymnasium on queue, and I welcomed them. Using my
communication device, I introduced myself and students were intrigued by the
sound of my voice. Soon thereafter, Ms. Rea introduced me to all the attentive
students. Today, I was honoured to speak to them on the Relationship with Self
and the Virtue of Love.
The students were keen and they attentively listened. Following my motivational
public speaking presentation, there was a Question and Answer period, and many
questions were asked by students. Mr. Fairclough held the wireless microphone.
He swiftly moved about the gymnasium, and
approached the many students, who raised their hand to ask me a question. I
happily answered each one using my communication device.
Once students began to return to class, some teachers and students
approached me. We had some pictures taken, and encouraging words were shared.
After recess, students completed their Exit Tickets. Teachers sent one or
two students, depending on their grade to the office with their class’s
envelope of completed Exit Tickets. Again Mr. Fairclough helped ensure, I got
them all back.
Here are excerpts from many of the Exit Tickets received:
Today, I heard / saw … “It was a beautiful speech”
This made me think … “about her”
Now, I wonder … “If I could be like her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A girl that couldn’t walk and she has something that could talk.”
This made me think … “if I couldn’t walk.”
Now, I wonder … “if the person has a good life”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you are unstoppable.”
Now, I wonder … “If you had a good life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A incredible quote”
This made me think … “how great people can be.”
Now, I wonder … “how much people are this great. Thank You”
Today, I heard / saw … “You”
This made me think … “that people with needs are warm hearted.”
Now, I wonder … “nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … “inspiration”
This made me think … “Of how I treat myself”
Now, I wonder … “if how I treat myself is ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “A beautiful woman.”
This made me think … “that I should have some awesome alone time.”
Now, I wonder … “I should love others like I love myself. Flowers for all the challenges you have overcome.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that you don’t need to change yourself”
This made me think … “Don’t make fun of people if you don’t know what they are going through.”
Now, I wonder … “I don’t wonder anything.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard self-control”
This made me think … “every one is unique”
Now, I wonder … “every one is special”
Today, I heard / saw … “a wonderful role model”
This made me think … “How you got through hard”
Now, I wonder … “How inspiring you are”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard that we should love ourself.”
This made me think … “That you confer ya had some people’
Now, I wonder … “how you made friends.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Beautiful girl.”
This made me think … “How loveful I can be.”
Now, I wonder … “How I can be more loveful? Have a nice day!”
Today, I heard / saw … “to love yourself very much”
This made me think … “I can be the best I can be”
Now, I wonder … “how do you use the thing to help you stand. You did great”
Today, I heard / saw … “a beautiful woman”
This made me think … “That even you are different that makes you special”
Now, I wonder … “What her life was like”
Today, I heard / saw … “A amazing speech.”
This made me think … “To care about others.”
Now, I wonder … “If I could do the same.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Love”
This made me think … “good thoughts”
Now, I wonder … “how you stay calm”
Today, I heard / saw … “God Bless You. That she went a lot.”
This made me think … “That every one is unique.”
Now, I wonder … “that I don’t need to change. Have a good day.”
Today, I heard / saw … “That she did a lot of challenge.”
This made me think … “She is unique.”
Now, I wonder … “If she is kind.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Loved meeting you! an inspiring woman”
This made me think … “I can do anything!”
Now, I wonder … “When will we meet again!”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to show respect.”
This made me think … “That we should stand up.”
Now, I wonder … “What did it feel like when you were born.
Today, I heard / saw … “How to show respect”
This made me think … “That we should stand up for yourself.”
Today, I heard / saw … “how to show respect.”
This made me think … “That we should stand up for others.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to be kind to yourself.”
This made me think … “That we should stand up for yourself and other.”
Now, I wonder … “I never know that she was 26.”
Today, I heard / saw … “how to show kindness.”
This made me think … “how to comfort”
Now, I wonder … “what is her favourite colour.”
This made me think … “be good”
Now, I wonder … “are you OK”
Today, I heard / saw … “how to show respect”
This made me think … “That we should stand up for your self and others”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to be kind to yourself.”
This made me think … “That we should stand up for yourself”
Now, I wonder … “what do you do with your family.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a very admirable person …”
This made me think … “how fragile and precious life is”
Now, I wonder … “how to become a better person …”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a girl. I heard about her struggles”
This made me think … “How good life is”
Now, I wonder … “what her life is like”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard someone with a lot of struggles. And I saw her overcome them.”
This made me think … “That she is very strong and very kind.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a great presentation.”
This made me think … “what I can do in high school?”
Now, I wonder … “Nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … “what did I hear / saw a beautiful woman”
This made me think … “How did it happen to her”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone with cerebral palsy”
This made me think … “how she feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “A good speech”
This made me think … “about how I treat others”
Now, I wonder … “how she feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a girl communicating through technology”
This made me think … “everybody can do what they want to do if they put their mind to do it.”
Now, I wonder … “Does it hurt to stand up for long?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone who can do anything.”
This made me think … “how positive mindsets can be for us.”
Now, I wonder … “how other people around the world live with the same conditions”
Today, I heard / saw … “a nice presentation”
This made me think … “of other’s challenge resolution.”
Now, I wonder … “how would I feel if I was her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw her happy”
This made me think … “how to use the computer”
Now, I wonder … “How tall she is”
Today, I heard / saw … ” a person with cerebral palsy”
This made me think … “about what it would be like to be disabled”
Now, I wonder … “What causes cerebral palsy”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone new”
This made me think … “never give up”
Now, I wonder … “nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Some inspirational words.”
This made me think … “about what it’s like to be disabled”
Now, I wonder … “If I can be a public speaker myself.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone who has a lot of struggles”
This made me think … “how does she feel”
Now, I wonder … “How do you get in a car”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard about another person’s experience of school”
This made me think … “Possible new resolutions”
Now, I wonder … “How life would be, if I went through the same.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone who had a lot of hard times but that didn’t stop her.”
This made me think … “about what am I going to do with my life.”
Now, I wonder … “where am I going to go from here.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A person with difficulties”
This made me think … “that there was a way to help them”
Now, I wonder … “how it feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “A very confident and caring girl”
This made me think … “That not everything is negative”
Now, I wonder … “What gave her all that courage”
Today, I heard / saw … “I never saw a matter that you can talk from that’s cool.”
This made me think … “I wonder how it feels to have a disability.”
Now, I wonder … “now I’m curious to see how it feels to have a disability”
Today, I heard / saw … “A text to speech machine”
This made me think … “How it works”
Now, I wonder … “how long it took to make the machine”
Today, I heard / saw … “about her disability and … how she lives”
This made me think … “that even tho you have a disability you can still succeed in life”
Now, I wonder … “What other hobbies does she do”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a monitor that you can talk from”
This made me think … “that how hard it is to have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder what it might be like to have a disability’
Today, I heard / saw … “A brave public speaker’”
This made me think … “How much people get bullied?”
Now, I wonder … “How much people have this.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a disabled woman speaking about her life and her journey.”
This made me think … “She’s very strong and brave.”
Now, I wonder … “Do people treat you differently than others.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A really wonderful presentation.”
Now, I wonder … “Everyone can overcome challenges.”
Now, I wonder … “How did technology become very advanced.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A person who told their amazing story”
This made me think … “everyone needs to love them self”
Now, I wonder … “if everyone did what she did, what would the world be like?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a public speech for the first time.”
This made me think … “that people with disabilities are unique.”
Now, I wonder … “if people with disabilities are still insecure and not realize how unique they are.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that she graduated”
This made me think … “every one is special”
Now, I wonder … “You can do what ever no matter what”
Today, I heard / saw … “Having a disability doesn’t defer who you are.”
This made me think … “Everybody is special in their own way.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how it many be like to have a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a person who inspire”
This made me think … “Does it matter if you have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “what is your favourite food”
Today, I heard / saw … “- a woman – treat yourselves like how u treat your bff.”
This made me think … “- we shouldn’t listen to people’s opinions on you”
Now, I wonder … “- How she deals with disrespectful people”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie publicly speaking at our school”
This made me think … “I should think more of myself and not what others think”
Now, I wonder … “What was your passion in highschool”
Today, I heard / saw … “How she said, Be kind to yourself and others.”
This made me think … “How she ignores negative comments about her.”
Now, I wonder … “Why she wanted to be, a public speaker and what inspires her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard someone trying to make a difference”
This made me think … “there is people that want to make this world better”
Now, I wonder … ” how can I make the world better”
Today, I heard / saw … “Things about her”
This made me think … “how did you stay positive”
Now, I wonder … “were you bullied in school”
Today, I heard / saw … “something inspirational”
This made me think … “to be a better person and to approve my self image”
Now, I wonder … “how to improve my self”
Today, I heard / saw … “something great”
This made me think … “if could be like her.”
Now, I wonder … “can I even do it.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl with a disability”
This made me think … “wow she’s strong.”
Now, I wonder … “how does she go upstairs with her wheelchair”
Today, I heard / saw … “A pretty person with nice hair”
This made me think … “She’s really cool”
Now, I wonder … “how many schools outside of Canada has she been?”
Today, I heard / saw … “This pretty woman”
This made me think … “What your fav colour”
Now, I wonder … “how your so nice”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard an inspirational story!”
This made me think … “This girl has so much power, and believes in herself!”
Now, I wonder … “I should be like her and believe in my self more! Thank you for taking your time with us; your words are so inspirational to me! Thank you for making my day”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard her giving advice to love.”
This made me think … “Could I help her.”
Now, I wonder … “Can I have a lot of confidence like her?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A special needs person.”
This made me think … “I need to have more self control”
Now, I wonder … “How many siblings does she have.”
Today, I heard / saw … “always keep yourself up”
This made me think … “her life must be hard”
Now, I wonder … “how does the tablet work”
Today, I heard / saw … “How she is disabled and as capable as us.”
This made me think … “Why does some people put them down.”
Now, I wonder … “How powerful is cp?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle / I heard, she helped me understand you can do anything”
This made me think … “this made me think about how my future will be”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how would she felt”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw her ice skate”
This made me think … “to have more trust in myself”
Now, I wonder … “how my future is going to be when I’m older”
Today, I heard / saw … “a very nice presentation”
This made me think … “about how I treat myself”
Now, I wonder … “if I can do better”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The life of a person with cerebral palsy”
This made me think … “People can change lives with a disability.”
Now, I wonder … “How people feel with disabilities Question: How do people get cerebral palsy.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that its perfect to be different.”
This made me think … “People can have different gifts from God.”
Now, I wonder … “How many people have CP.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How you should treat yourself.”
This made me think … “If I was treating myself correctly.”
Now, I wonder … “How everyone else felt from this experience.”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing presentation about how we should spread joy and kindness”
This made me think … “That we should not talk to people with hatred”
Now, I wonder … “Why do people talk to other people with hate”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing presentation about a person who has CP.”
This made me think … “was her life rough”
Now, I wonder … “will there ever be a cure for cp”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle speak about love, self her story and how she has cp”
This made me think … “How positive people can be during hard times”
Now, I wonder … “how long she has been speaking and her favourite subject and if there is a cure for cp”
Today, I heard / saw … “a amazing girl who made me realize your amazing just the way you are.”
This made me think … “That I should be a bit more grateful and realize that some people are less fortunate”
Now, I wonder … “do you have more than 1 sibling? Is this your first time at Father C.W. Sullivan”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and her life story.”
This made me think … “How we can live like normally even with a disease.”
Now, I wonder … “How did her parents feel when they found out she had the disease.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “How we can live normally even with a disease”
Now, I wonder … “How did she skate”
Today, I heard / saw … “that Giselle’s birthday is July 7, 1997 which is also my birthday”
This made me think … “is cp a cancer”
Now, I wonder … “can you understand what people are saying to you”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s journey”
This made me think … “You can do anything”
Now, I wonder … “How do you understand people?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation about love.”
This made me think … “how can I improve my love for others and myself.”
Now, I wonder … “Who inspired you to become a public speaker.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie presenting in the gym talking about kindness to yourself and others.”
This made me think … “How I can improve myself and become a better person to others.”
Now, I wonder … “How many people watched this and felt more confident in themselves, and felt less insecure.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that it was hard for her”
This made me think … “that I am grateful for what I have”
Now, I wonder … how did you tell about your life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard a nice message of love.”
This made me think … ” everyone needs love.”
Now, I wonder … “How did you feel when you graduated high school?”
Today, I heard / saw … “She had something her brain that made her not able to use her arms”
This made me think … “how did she deal with this for her life”
Now, I wonder … “how did she change her clothes.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Your life”
This made me think … “how you talk”
Now, I wonder … “if you use a wheelchair”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “She seemed kind and she looked like a Christian”
Now, I wonder … “how many years were you in school until you graduated?”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard that you have great goals to achieve.”
This made me think … “I think I’m gonna face my fear.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how hard would be your life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw and heard an amazing presentation that made me feel perfect and inspired.”
This made me think … “I should take control of my own life and improve all the bad things in life.”
Now, I wonder … “How can I ignore the bad things in life if it hurts so much?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle’s story about love.”
This made me think … “To be more kind and nice to people”
Now, I wonder … “What is your fav colour?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw someone that had some challenges”
This made me think … “how will she learn how to walk”
Now, I wonder … “how has she grow”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard about Giselle.”
This made me think … “It made me think of love”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder what was her favourite grade”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle’s story.”
This made me think … “back on when I was mean”
Now, I wonder … “can I be like her?”
Today, I heard / saw … “message of love”
This made me think … “think about love”
Now, I wonder … “What would you do if you were not in a wheelchair”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a strong and confident girl”
This made me think … “If I was in her person how would I feel.”
Now, I wonder … “how is your life?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard that you shouldn’t doubt yourself.”
This made me think … “About how I sometimes doubt myself”
Now, I wonder … “how I can improve my life”
Today, I heard / saw … “to be yourself”
This made me think … “that I should be myself”
Now, I wonder … “What is your favourite colour”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you should love yourself the way you are”
This made me think … “She loves herself so I should too”
Now, I wonder … “if she came to this school”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw the computer”
This made me think … “so that’s how she talks.”
Today, I heard / saw … “That you are all beautiful.”
This made me think … “to don’t doubt my self.”
Now, I wonder … “what is her favourite colour”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … “this made me think sad”
Now, I wonder … “How was Giselle life?”
Today, I heard / saw … “That she is beautiful and has a brother named Luc.”
This made me think … “that I felt sorry for the challenges, she’s been through!”
Now, I wonder … “what’s your favourite food to eat.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard everyone is beautiful the way they are.”
Now, I wonder … “How is it like having what you have?”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I saw Giselle standing on her own.”
This made me think … “to not make fun of people.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A motivational speaker with brain damage speaking motivationally”
This made me think … “I can anything I put my mind to”
Now, I wonder … “What can I do to make my self out standing”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard a speech about loving yourself”
This made me think … “you should love yourself”
Now, I wonder … “If people love theirselves”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a speech about her life”
This made me think … “sad and you should love yourself”
Now, I wonder … “how she was born like that”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation”
This made me think … “Everybody has a voice”
Now, I wonder … “How her family felt when they found out”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation”
This made me think … “I should help more”
Now, I wonder … “What is it like”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard / saw a speech about how everyone should love themself.”
This made me think … “everyone is special in their own way”
Now, I wonder … “if people love theirselves”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “How could she answer our questions”
Now, I wonder … “How long it took her to walk”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle”
This made me think … “was life hard”
Now, I wonder … “Do you want to be friend.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw pictures “
This made me think … “What she went through.”
Now, I wonder … “how many surgeries she did.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation”
This made me think … “I have to love more myself”
Now, I wonder … “how can I improve my love”
Today, I heard / saw … “Many pictures of happy memories.”
This made me think … “How hard life can be for some people.”
Now, I wonder … “If I can be as confident she is.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation”
This made me think … “about love and God”
Now, I wonder … “what others thought”
Today, I heard / saw … “A wonderful speech.”
This made me think … “that there is more people going through the same thing”
Now, I wonder … “What I can do to do better.”
Today, I heard / saw … “The other meaning of self”
This made me think … “About how I treat myself.”
Now, I wonder … “if I act like and treat myself with respect”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw the girl”
This made me think … “she cool”
Now, I wonder … “She is nice and funny”
Today, I heard / saw … “A brain damage presented”
This made me think … “No matter what you have, you can do anything.”
Now, I wonder … “How did they get the technology”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw public speaker”
This made me think … “to be kind”
Now, I wonder … “What is her background”
Today, I heard / saw … “A woman who public speaks and taught us love and self control.”
This made me think … “How do I show love and self control.”
Now, I wonder … “What else can I do to show respect.”
Today, I heard / saw … “walker”
This made me think … “about Jesus”
Now, I wonder … “if my family is okay”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard God”
This made me think … “of God”
Now, I wonder … “is Jesus the son of God”
Today, I heard / saw … “a wheelchair”
This made me think … “she could walk”
Now, I wonder … “that she can go anyhere”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw how she can not speak”
This made me think … “she can’t walk”
Now, I wonder … “Where is your brother”
Today, I heard / saw … “song”
This made me think … “about Terry Fox”
Now, I wonder … “Why she can’t walk”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw her happy”
This made me think … “I hope she is ok”
Now, I wonder … “How did she get sick like this”
Today, I heard / saw … “an inspirational student”
This made me think … “As an ERW I am always amazed at the resilience of students”
Now, I wonder … “Thank you for being you. reach for the stars. You have amazing parents too.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you have to be kind to your friends”
This made me think … “Does being kind good”
Today, I heard / saw … “Love.”
This made me think … “Everyone is welcomed.”
Now, I wonder … “How does it feel like to be her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl who was happy being different”
This made me think … “That if she is happy with her life I can be happy with mine.”
Now, I wonder … “How she was loved so much by everyone.”
Today, I heard / saw … “to be kind”
This made me think … “going to high school”
Now, I wonder … “If she played a lot of sports”
Today, I heard / saw … ” – her family – I saw her stand up by herself – her special thing her walk “
This made me think … ” – we need to love ourselves – to be nice to my friends and listen to my teachers – to share with others – praying to Jesus”
Now, I wonder … “how I can help others when they are sad”
Today, I heard / saw … ” – I saw a girl named Giselle – I heard her talk about her journey to be a public speaker”
This made me think … “We can do anything if we put our mind to it.”
Now, I wonder … ” – what I can do”
I feel so honoured to have been invited by Ms. Rea to speak to all her students, approximately 280 of them. I am so pleased to have inspired them. It’s the best feeling in the world!
Before leaving, both Ms. Rea and Mr. Fairclough thanked me. Both were very kind and attentive towards me all morning, and they certainly made me feel welcomed and very much appreciated as their Guest Speaker.
Despite the weather, we were together, beautifully blessed at Father C. W. Sullivan Catholic Elementary School.
