The Power of Presence: A Heartfelt Day at St. John XXIII
Today’s visit to St. John XXIII reminded me how powerful it is just to show up—as yourself, with your story, and with your heart wide open.
From the moment we arrived, I felt seen. Ms. D’Souza greeted us with warmth, and Ms. Cusack, the school secretary, remembered me from our visit in 2019. That moment of recognition felt like a hug from the past—gentle, affirming, and full of love.
Inside the gymnasium, Mr. Mifsud, the school librarian, had everything beautifully prepared. When he came in to help with the setup, he recognized me right away. That small moment of connection meant a lot.
Once I was ready, he called the students over the PA system—class by class, from kindergarten to grade eight. They entered graciously with their teachers, filling the space with energy and kindness. As Ms. Zucchet walked in with her class, she greeted me with such warmth and familiarity. She remembered me from our last visit, and her kindness added to the feeling that I was truly welcomed back.
I shared my story and spoke from the heart. The students listened with warmth and curiosity, and their questions afterward were thoughtful and deep—about life, resilience, and how I keep going. I was happy to answer every one as best as I could.
At the end of the Q&A, I presented my book, Micaiah the Brave, to Ms. D’Souza. Mr. Mifsud accepted it on behalf of the school, and it will now live in the library for all students to enjoy. That moment meant so much to me.
One Youth Faith Ambassador, Julia—a grade eight student—offered eloquent words of thanks that deeply moved me. Her reflection reminded me why I do this—why sharing matters, why connection matters.
After the presentation, I showed the students how I walk using my RGOs and how I’m able to stand with their support. It was a moment of vulnerability, but also strength. I wanted them to see that courage looks different for everyone.
We then took group photos with the entire school—students, teachers, and the principal—and afterward with the grade six, seven, and eight Youth Faith Ambassadors.
Before we left, Ms. D’Souza shared two messages from my presentation that had deeply resonated with her:
- The importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people.
- The value of interdependence and embracing those who are different from us.
Her reflections reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful messages are the ones that gently stay with us. The students had their own reflections too—each one a celebration of courage, community, and the quiet strength of simply showing up.
📝 Student Voices: What They Shared
After the presentation, some of the students filled out Exit Tickets—short reflections about what they heard, what it made them think, and what they now wonder. I read every one with care.
Their words were honest, thoughtful, and sometimes deeply personal. Some students shared how my story made them feel grateful. Others wondered how I do everyday things, or how I stay strong. Many wrote about kindness, courage, and wanting to be a better person.
Here are some of the Exit Tickets they completed:
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard how to show better kindness to others.”
This made me think … ” I can improve my attitude in mind.”
Now, I wonder … ” There is many possibilities for making someone smile!”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A beautiful girl with an amazing story to tell. “
This made me think … ” if she had trouble making friends. “
Now, I wonder … ” how she can communicate”
Today, I heard / saw … ” about her beautiful story”
This made me think … ” how strong and confident she is”
Now, I wonder … ” how she challenged that all struggles”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How she went through everything.”
This made me think … ” that being different doesn’t matter.”
Now, I wonder … ” How it feels to go through that stuff.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A brave and kind girl”
This made me think … ” of my cousins disability.”
Now, I wonder … ” why do we need disability”
Today, I heard / saw … ” * Giselle’s Graduation * Story of her birth * Giselle in a stander * We heard other student’s question”
Now, I wonder … ” * About how lucky we are * About our childhood”
Now, I wonder … ” * What is Giselle’s favourite number? * Do you have a special car? * How much do your devices cost?
Today, I heard / saw … ” Words of experience”
This made me think … ” About all the people in the world.”
Now, I wonder … ” About the people who are invisible to be seen and loved with kindness”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard videos and saw Giselle.”
This made me think … ” how I’m very grateful.”
Now, I wonder … ” if she ever got bullied.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” What she went through.”
Now, I wonder … ” If other people have the same thing as Giselle”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle!”
This made me think … ” Of how I should never give up!”
Now, I wonder … ” How hard it is for other disabled people.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard Giselle’s story.”
This made me think … ” even if you have a disability you can always accomplish your dreams.”
Now, I wonder … ” What subject is she the best at.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I saw Giselle”
This made me think … ” This made me think about the presentation.”
Now, I wonder … ” Now, I wonder more about her life.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle’s stories and presentations.”
This made me think … ” It was hard for her to face her challenges.”
Now, I wonder … ” How are people made with disabilities and troubles.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That she had a bad disability.”
This made me think … ” how hard it is to live like that.”
Now, I wonder … ” how hard and sad it is.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” About special needs kids.”
This made me think … ” Wow they are really special.”
Now, I wonder … “How are they born like with this condition.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle “
This made me think … ” Of the time I helped”
Now, I wonder … ” how many people with diseases and are there in the world”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A person who had a disability”
This made me think … ” That I should be kind to everyone.”
Now, I wonder … ” How she communicates with the keyboard (how does it work)”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie’s Presentation”
This made me think … ” of the other sick kids”
Now, I wonder … ” how much struggle have the sick kids faced”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard to always be kind.”
This made me think … ” how does Giselle put on shoes?”
Now, I wonder … ” If she going to be like this forever”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard encouragement”
This made me think … ” That everyone matters.”
Now, I wonder … ” How we can all be kind.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That people bully other people.”
This made me think … ” That I was also bullied.”
This made me think … ” Why they bully people.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I saw Giselle”
This made me think … ” Is it hard to write?”
Now, I wonder … ” How do you draw stuff?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie!”
This made me think … ” How proud she is for accomplishing all her goals”
Now, I wonder … ” did she get bullied a lot for being the way she is?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard Giselle talk about herself”
This made me think … ” This made me think how she feels.”
Now, I wonder … ” Now, I wonder how she does stuff.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw a very confident person”
This made me think … ” that anyone can achieve great things.”
Now, I wonder … ” how does she sit down?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” about bravery”
Now, I wonder … ” how she did it”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard about Giselle’s life.”
This made me think … ” of how cool it is to be a public speaker.”
Now, I wonder … ” What it’s like to be a public speaker and how cool it is.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Dedication.”
This made me think … ” That I matter now.”
Now, I wonder … ” How do you ignore bullies so well.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The girl who cannot talk.”
This made me think … ” How she can do that?”
Now, I wonder … ” Now, I wonder she will not give up.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle doing a presentation.”
This made me think … ” How brave Giselle is!”
Now, I wonder … ” How scary it is to be up front.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone talk with a computer.”
This made me think … ” How does she use her hands”
Now, I wonder … ” How she talks”
Today, I heard / saw … “About how we are all special in our own way. I saw how we are all special “
This made me think … ” About being nicer to people.”
Now, I wonder … ” What other things I could do to make a difference”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The things she went through when she was younger.”
This made me think … ” that she is a strong person.”
Now, I wonder … ” If she still goes through the same stuff she already went through.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The difficult things her goes through.”
This made me think … ” how can I be better.”
Now, I wonder … ” how can one make a difference.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard how she struggled in her life.”
This made me think … ” about how some people are lucky.”
Now, I wonder … ” how hard her childhood was.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A person named Giselle with a disability”
This made me think … ” How fortunate we can be than others and we are very lucky.”
Now, I wonder … ” How else we can thank her.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle”
This made me think … ” about my … “
Now, I wonder … ” If Giselle ever got bullied before”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How hard some people’s lives can be.”
This made me think … ” how successful she was.”
Now, I wonder … ” How exactly her life was”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A girl who had disabilities who was happy and not afraid on what people think.”
This made me think … ” Why do I try to fit in.”
Now, I wonder … ” how to not care on others opinions.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A lady speaking about their disability.”
This made me think … ” Anyone can be disabled.”
Now, I wonder … ” If I can help in any way.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The story of Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” that everyone should be treated well.”
Now, I wonder … ” is cerebral palsy is a rare condition”
Today, I heard / saw … ” a presentation.”
This made me think … ” about the topic of the presentation.”
Now, I wonder … ” about something related to the presentation”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” that she had been through a lot”
Now, I wonder … ” how others with her condition feel.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She is brave.”
This made me think … ” That everyone is important.”
Now, I wonder … ” What made her share her story?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw inspiration.”
This made me think … ” To be better.”
Now, I wonder … ” To be more happy”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That even with a disability always stay happy”
Now, I wonder … ” that we can do more than you think with determination.”
Now, I wonder … ” If everyone is that respectful.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie talk about her life, and her struggles.”
This made me think … ” That even though people go through difficulties we shouldn’t let them hurt us.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie communicate about her disabilities through a computer.”
This made me think … ” about how grateful I am in life and the amount of people.”
Now, I wonder … ” How she eats, and how she thinks daily. If she … wanted to change that.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw many cool things on our guest speaker.”
This made me think … ” How lucky we are.”
Now, I wonder … ” Does the condition get worse”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard about the story of her life”
This made me think … ” this made me think about how grateful I am for all the things I have”
Now, I wonder … ” How her faith has affected her life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The story of her life.”
This made me think … ” About how fortunate we all are.”
Now, I wonder … ” If her life can get easier”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A story of her life.”
This made me think … ” About how many other have this”
Now, I wonder … ” Does it get worse”
Today, I heard / saw … ” how hard her life is”
This made me think … ” how unfair life is”
Now, I wonder … ” how grateful I am for life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw a presentation on Giselle’s life.”
This made me think … ” how many other people are like her.”
Now, I wonder … ” if her life will get easier or harder.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw someone else’s challenges in their own life and her own struggles.”
This made me think … ” How Lucky we are in life to be given life.”
Now, I wonder … ” How people with struggles continue to live on.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” how disabled do an act different than other people.’”
This made me think … ” How much more fortunate I am with my life.”
Now, I wonder … ” how it … to do normal and basic.”
Today, I heard / saw … “The words and action of Giselle.”
This made me think … ” How fortunate I am.”
Now, I wonder … ” How she worked in Canada.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle’s story.”
This made me think … ” How brave she is.”
Now, I wonder … ” How she does it”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That every person is not an island.”
This made me think … ” That I’m not alone.”
Now, I wonder … ” if I can ask for help.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle.”
This made me think … ” I feel bad for her.”
Now, I wonder … ” It’s not easy with disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … ” That you shouldn’t underestimate disabled people.”
Now, I wonder … ” How to be Giselle’s friend!”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Gaylie’s story.”
This made me think … ” About kindness, inclusion, and perseverance”
Now, I wonder … ” How can I be a kind person?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How big problems can be fixed with help!”
This made me think … ” Everything is possible.”
Now, I wonder … ” How can I help others?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A unique person that is kind, nice. Also helped me learn a lot.”
This made me think … ” To be kind to treat others with respect.”
Now, I wonder … ” How other people and myself will treat other people good.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” -a great person.”
This made me think … ” -differently about people.”
Now, I wonder … ” -how everyone could help each other.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie and heard a lot of kind words.”
This made me think … ” Of other disabled people around the world.”
Now, I wonder … ” If I could help the disabled people out there.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard and saw a very interesting presentation that reminded me to be a welcoming person”
This made me think … ” This made me think that anyone can do anything despite the setbacks.”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder what technology in the future would help this?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle answering questions.”
This made me think … ” of those with disabilities and how brave they are.”
Now, I wonder … ” how does Giselle brush her hair?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How needing help can be good.”
This made me think … ” Of all the times I’ve asked for help.”
Now, I wonder … ” Why it helps so much.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard everyone should admire their differences.”
This made me think … ” This made me think about my differences, like my …”
Now, I wonder … ” Now, I wonder how everyone else may feel about their differences.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A girl with a disability.”
This made me think … ” About how many challenges she had to face growing up.”
Now, I wonder … ” How her life is as an adult.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle talk about her life.”
This made me think … ” How much she has been through.”
Now, I wonder … ” Where her journey will take her in the future”
Today, I heard / saw … ” faith and helping others”
This made me think … ” that I should help others when they’re stuck.”
Now, I wonder … ” that I should show”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A story about a person’s life.”
This made me think … ” What causes disabilities.”
Now, I wonder … ” How people overcome disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … ” About the life of someone with a disability.”
This made me think … ” How difficult life could be.”
Now, I wonder … ” How it feels to live like that.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I guess speaker come in our school.”
This made me think … ” On how nothing can stop your dreams.”
Now, I wonder … ” That you can do anything without bad stuff stopping you.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … ” Of how brave people are no matter what”
Now, I wonder … ” How long and how did she become that brave.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A lot of inspiring things to look up to.”
This made me think … ” like I can do more things as a person.”
Now, I wonder … ” more about people who have to live with multiple struggles.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A disabled girl.”
This made me think … ” She was staying strong”
Now, I wonder … ” If I could help her.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A guest speaker.”
This made me think … ” it okay”
Now, I wonder … ” What it would be like to be her.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone that’s nice.”
This made me think … ” how a good person I could be.”
Now, I wonder … ” how nice I could be.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” To be kind I saw kind things”
This made me think … ” they were kind.”
Now, I wonder … ” What kindness means to you.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Kindness.”
This made me think … ” are people always this kind?”
Now, I wonder … ” How many people are disabled?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A girl today.”
This made me think … ” it does not matter how you look.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I know that it does not matter how we look.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Your voice I saw you!”
This made me think … ” How hard it is.”
Now, I wonder … ” if you had a lot of pain”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How it might be to be special”
This made me think … ” She is super special”
Now, I wonder … ” If there is anyone special in my family.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That everyone matters.”
This made me think … ” That I am unique.”
Now, I wonder … ” If I am kind to others”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That you can be yourself.”
This made me think … ” about my mom and my dad.”
Now, I wonder … ” how do you make food.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” To be kind and saw Giselle.”
This made me think … ” How many schools did she go to.”
Now, I wonder … “What are her brothers name?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That anything is possible.”
This made me think … ” I got this.”
Now, I wonder … ” If people will not be mean to people like that.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A disabled girl.”
This made me think … ” how hard it could’ve been to live.”
Now, I wonder … ” Where she is off now.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” About Giselle.”
This made me think … ” follow your dreams.”
Now, I wonder … ” If I could be a better person”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Challenges to do.”
This made me think … ” Will I be a good person.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” You can overcome everything”
This made me think … ” can I be good at stuff”
Now, I wonder … ” can I be good at everything”
What Their Reflections Meant to Me
Reading through the Exit Tickets reminded me how thoughtful and open-hearted students can be when given space to reflect. Their words showed curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to think deeply about difference, courage, and how we treat one another.
Some asked questions. Others made quiet promises to be more kind, more grateful, or more aware. What stood out most was how many students paused to consider not just what they saw—but what it meant to them. That kind of reflection is powerful, and I’m grateful they took the time to write.
Closing Thoughts
Before I end, I want to say thank you.
To Ms. D’Souza—thank you for welcoming me so warmly to your new school as principal. You’ve invited me to speak at your former school more than once, and it means so much that you continue to believe in the power of sharing stories. Your kindness and support have stayed with me.
To Mr. Mifsud—thank you for being so helpful with the technology and sound setup in the gymnasium, for assisting so wonderfully during the Q&A, and for helping pack everything away afterward. You made the morning run smoothly, and I’m truly grateful.
And to the students—thank you for your attentiveness, your thoughtful questions, and your open hearts. You made the morning inspirational and heartfelt. I hope you remember that your presence—your kindness, your curiosity, your willingness to listen—has power. You reminded me why showing up matters.
