well thank you very much for coming to my TEDx talk tonight here on uncertainty
my TEDx talk tonight here on uncertainty
my TEDx talk tonight here on uncertainty I think I must be experts in the field
I think I must be experts in the field
I think I must be experts in the field because as I was preparing for this talk
because as I was preparing for this talk
because as I was preparing for this talk I tried to list all the things that I
I tried to list all the things that I
I tried to list all the things that I was absolutely certain of and it was a
was absolutely certain of and it was a
was absolutely certain of and it was a very short list as a matter of fact
very short list as a matter of fact
very short list as a matter of fact there’s only a couple items on that list
there’s only a couple items on that list
there’s only a couple items on that list and we share one of those items as a
and we share one of those items as a
and we share one of those items as a matter of fact we’re all in different
matter of fact we’re all in different
matter of fact we’re all in different paths right now leading to different
paths right now leading to different
paths right now leading to different roads we’re all going to the same place
roads we’re all going to the same place
roads we’re all going to the same place and that same place is right here all
and that same place is right here all
and that same place is right here all headed this cemetery now if we accept
headed this cemetery now if we accept
headed this cemetery now if we accept the fact that our all of our paths are
the fact that our all of our paths are
the fact that our all of our paths are eventually leading there the reality is
eventually leading there the reality is
eventually leading there the reality is that every minute of our lives matter
that every minute of our lives matter
that every minute of our lives matter and we want to fill those mud minutes
and we want to fill those mud minutes
and we want to fill those mud minutes with something that’s truly
with something that’s truly
with something that’s truly extraordinary now while we may accept
extraordinary now while we may accept
extraordinary now while we may accept this please do me a favor and your
this please do me a favor and your
this please do me a favor and your neighbor a favor and please don’t die
neighbor a favor and please don’t die
neighbor a favor and please don’t die within the next 18 minutes because it
within the next 18 minutes because it
within the next 18 minutes because it could get very messy and I could never
could get very messy and I could never
could get very messy and I could never live down the headline tedxtalk kills in
live down the headline tedxtalk kills in
live down the headline tedxtalk kills in Hong Kong literally but if we do accept
Hong Kong literally but if we do accept
Hong Kong literally but if we do accept the fact that this is where we’re all
the fact that this is where we’re all
the fact that this is where we’re all headed then we go ahead and take a good
headed then we go ahead and take a good
headed then we go ahead and take a good look at the present where we are now
look at the present where we are now
look at the present where we are now because in reality most of us don’t know
because in reality most of us don’t know
because in reality most of us don’t know how long the path is between right now
how long the path is between right now
how long the path is between right now and right there although we’re all
and right there although we’re all
and right there although we’re all winding up right there however there are
winding up right there however there are
winding up right there however there are people who do know people may have been
people who do know people may have been
people who do know people may have been diagnosed with the serious illness or
diagnosed with the serious illness or
diagnosed with the serious illness or people who are faced with tragic
people who are faced with tragic
people who are faced with tragic circumstances we wake up every day with
circumstances we wake up every day with
circumstances we wake up every day with a certainty that this is in our future
a certainty that this is in our future
a certainty that this is in our future but we don’t think about that we think
but we don’t think about that we think
but we don’t think about that we think about though is the general routines we
about though is the general routines we
about though is the general routines we we do expect to wake up fresh in the
we do expect to wake up fresh in the
we do expect to wake up fresh in the morning we do expect when we turn the
morning we do expect when we turn the
morning we do expect when we turn the switch for the power to come on we do
switch for the power to come on we do
switch for the power to come on we do expect we turn the faucet that the water
expect we turn the faucet that the water
expect we turn the faucet that the water comes we go to the MTR station that the
comes we go to the MTR station that the
comes we go to the MTR station that the Train shows up and for those of us those
Train shows up and for those of us those
Train shows up and for those of us those of us who might be traveling by air we
of us who might be traveling by air we
of us who might be traveling by air we strap ourselves in we listen to flight
strap ourselves in we listen to flight
strap ourselves in we listen to flight attendant and we expect to be able to
attendant and we expect to be able to
attendant and we expect to be able to get to our destination safely but you
get to our destination safely but you
get to our destination safely but you know that does
know that does
know that does always happen as a matter of fact in
always happen as a matter of fact in
always happen as a matter of fact in January 13th 1982 75 passengers strapped
January 13th 1982 75 passengers strapped
January 13th 1982 75 passengers strapped themselves into the seats of air Florida
themselves into the seats of air Florida
themselves into the seats of air Florida flight 90 they’re getting ready to leave
flight 90 they’re getting ready to leave
flight 90 they’re getting ready to leave Washington National Airport United
Washington National Airport United
Washington National Airport United States headed towards Fort Lauderdale
States headed towards Fort Lauderdale
States headed towards Fort Lauderdale Florida and that eventually Fort
Florida and that eventually Fort
Florida and that eventually Fort Lauderdale Florida
Lauderdale Florida
Lauderdale Florida it was desperately cold in Washington DC
it was desperately cold in Washington DC
it was desperately cold in Washington DC that day it had been snowing it been
that day it had been snowing it been
that day it had been snowing it been icing and I’m sure those 75 passengers
icing and I’m sure those 75 passengers
icing and I’m sure those 75 passengers and crew were looking for a little
and crew were looking for a little
and crew were looking for a little respite in sunny Florida in the
respite in sunny Florida in the
respite in sunny Florida in the beginning of January
beginning of January
beginning of January unfortunately they wouldn’t make it as
unfortunately they wouldn’t make it as
unfortunately they wouldn’t make it as air Florida flight 90 was taxing off the
air Florida flight 90 was taxing off the
air Florida flight 90 was taxing off the runway unfortunately the pilots had not
runway unfortunately the pilots had not
runway unfortunately the pilots had not properly de-ice the wings and in him
properly de-ice the wings and in him
properly de-ice the wings and in him moments of Terror what it seemed like
moments of Terror what it seemed like
moments of Terror what it seemed like certainty or at least an expectation of
certainty or at least an expectation of
certainty or at least an expectation of safety was quickly turned upside down
safety was quickly turned upside down
safety was quickly turned upside down as the airplane clipped the 17th the
as the airplane clipped the 17th the
as the airplane clipped the 17th the 14th Street Bridge damaging seven
14th Street Bridge damaging seven
14th Street Bridge damaging seven vehicles killing four people and landing
vehicles killing four people and landing
vehicles killing four people and landing in the Potomac River two miles from the
in the Potomac River two miles from the
in the Potomac River two miles from the White House now where air Florida flight
White House now where air Florida flight
White House now where air Florida flight 90 landed in the middle of the Potomac
90 landed in the middle of the Potomac
90 landed in the middle of the Potomac was too difficult to be reached by land
was too difficult to be reached by land
was too difficult to be reached by land so people that the passer the passers-by
so people that the passer the passers-by
so people that the passer the passers-by and those willing to help had to wait
and those willing to help had to wait
and those willing to help had to wait for the force service to arrive by
for the force service to arrive by
for the force service to arrive by helicopter when the Forest Service
helicopter when the Forest Service
helicopter when the Forest Service arrived by helicopter they noticed that
arrived by helicopter they noticed that
arrived by helicopter they noticed that there were passengers that had crawled
there were passengers that had crawled
there were passengers that had crawled out of the back of the aircraft there
out of the back of the aircraft there
out of the back of the aircraft there were six passengers in total they could
were six passengers in total they could
were six passengers in total they could count and as the helicopter came in
count and as the helicopter came in
count and as the helicopter came in closer they could see that there
closer they could see that there
closer they could see that there appeared to be one man who was in charge
appeared to be one man who was in charge
appeared to be one man who was in charge a balding man with a big moustache and
a balding man with a big moustache and
a balding man with a big moustache and what was happening was they could see
what was happening was they could see
what was happening was they could see that he was somehow organizing the
that he was somehow organizing the
that he was somehow organizing the people as they’re coming out of a back
people as they’re coming out of a back
people as they’re coming out of a back of the aircraft well as the helicopter
of the aircraft well as the helicopter
of the aircraft well as the helicopter lowered itself with its lifeline which
lowered itself with its lifeline which
lowered itself with its lifeline which by the way is very dangerous in stormy
by the way is very dangerous in stormy
by the way is very dangerous in stormy weather they passed that lifeline to the
weather they passed that lifeline to the
weather they passed that lifeline to the man who seemed to be in charge as
man who seemed to be in charge as
man who seemed to be in charge as balding man and a mustache expecting him
balding man and a mustache expecting him
balding man and a mustache expecting him to grab the lifeline and come
to grab the lifeline and come
to grab the lifeline and come with them but he didn’t he passed the
with them but he didn’t he passed the
with them but he didn’t he passed the Lifeline to yet another passenger this
Lifeline to yet another passenger this
Lifeline to yet another passenger this time a flight attendant you can see it
time a flight attendant you can see it
time a flight attendant you can see it from this photograph here the action
from this photograph here the action
from this photograph here the action taking place in that descent that
taking place in that descent that
taking place in that descent that January day well the first person who
January day well the first person who
January day well the first person who was rescued was a flight attendant and
was rescued was a flight attendant and
was rescued was a flight attendant and she was taken safely to the bank meant
she was taken safely to the bank meant
she was taken safely to the bank meant the helicopter came back with a lifeline
the helicopter came back with a lifeline
the helicopter came back with a lifeline and again passed it to the man in the
and again passed it to the man in the
and again passed it to the man in the water for him to go ahead and reach for
water for him to go ahead and reach for
water for him to go ahead and reach for him to come and join in the banquet but
him to come and join in the banquet but
him to come and join in the banquet but no he passed the line lifeline again to
no he passed the line lifeline again to
no he passed the line lifeline again to get another passenger so a second person
get another passenger so a second person
get another passenger so a second person is taken from the wreckage to the safety
is taken from the wreckage to the safety
is taken from the wreckage to the safety of the bank the third time the
of the bank the third time the
of the bank the third time the helicopter comes back again the man in
helicopter comes back again the man in
helicopter comes back again the man in the water passes the lifeline to another
the water passes the lifeline to another
the water passes the lifeline to another passenger it happens a fourth times and
passenger it happens a fourth times and
passenger it happens a fourth times and it happens a fifth time five people are
it happens a fifth time five people are
it happens a fifth time five people are rescued there aren’t safe ground the
rescued there aren’t safe ground the
rescued there aren’t safe ground the helicopter returns for the man who had
helicopter returns for the man who had
helicopter returns for the man who had been say who had risked his life for
been say who had risked his life for
been say who had risked his life for everyone else
everyone else
everyone else only discover that he must have
only discover that he must have
only discover that he must have succumbed to hypothermia because he had
succumbed to hypothermia because he had
succumbed to hypothermia because he had drowned and he had disappeared from
drowned and he had disappeared from
drowned and he had disappeared from sight
sight
sight now we watched this we’d the world watch
now we watched this we’d the world watch
now we watched this we’d the world watch this on television and there is a
this on television and there is a
this on television and there is a magazine called Time magazine and their
magazine called Time magazine and their
magazine called Time magazine and their editor of the chief at that time Roger
editor of the chief at that time Roger
editor of the chief at that time Roger Rosenblatt wrote a very powerful essay
Rosenblatt wrote a very powerful essay
Rosenblatt wrote a very powerful essay called the man in the water and what was
called the man in the water and what was
called the man in the water and what was so powerful about that essay is he was
so powerful about that essay is he was
so powerful about that essay is he was able to capture for us why this man held
able to capture for us why this man held
able to capture for us why this man held our attention
our attention
our attention first of all it was absolutely sheer
first of all it was absolutely sheer
first of all it was absolutely sheer poetry the idea of man versus nature
poetry the idea of man versus nature
poetry the idea of man versus nature that man had no power over nature he had
that man had no power over nature he had
that man had no power over nature he had no power over the fate of that aircraft
no power over the fate of that aircraft
no power over the fate of that aircraft but he did have power to give his life
but he did have power to give his life
but he did have power to give his life for others and not just one but five
for others and not just one but five
for others and not just one but five people also what was powerful we didn’t
people also what was powerful we didn’t
people also what was powerful we didn’t know for a very long time who this man
know for a very long time who this man
know for a very long time who this man was
was
was so his anonymity made him famous but
so his anonymity made him famous but
so his anonymity made him famous but what most made him famous was his
what most made him famous was his
what most made him famous was his sacrifice
sacrifice
sacrifice he provided a lifeline to those
he provided a lifeline to those
he provided a lifeline to those survivors but he also provide a lifeline
survivors but he also provide a lifeline
survivors but he also provide a lifeline for all of us because his professor Chen
for all of us because his professor Chen
for all of us because his professor Chen was mentioning earlier the veil behind
was mentioning earlier the veil behind
was mentioning earlier the veil behind uncertainty is fear and unfortunately
uncertainty is fear and unfortunately
uncertainty is fear and unfortunately fear can keep us from doing taking the
fear can keep us from doing taking the
fear can keep us from doing taking the risks that we need to do reaching out to
risks that we need to do reaching out to
risks that we need to do reaching out to do the things that were called to do and
do the things that were called to do and
do the things that were called to do and this man faced his uncertainty the
this man faced his uncertainty the
this man faced his uncertainty the certainty that he must have known if he
certainty that he must have known if he
certainty that he must have known if he kept passing that lifeline that he
kept passing that lifeline that he
kept passing that lifeline that he wouldn’t survive but yet he continued to
wouldn’t survive but yet he continued to
wouldn’t survive but yet he continued to do so he faced uncertainty with
do so he faced uncertainty with
do so he faced uncertainty with sacrifice and he faced uncertainty with
sacrifice and he faced uncertainty with
sacrifice and he faced uncertainty with the ability to go ahead and give his
the ability to go ahead and give his
the ability to go ahead and give his life for others if you find yourself in
life for others if you find yourself in
life for others if you find yourself in Washington DC and you’re driving around
Washington DC and you’re driving around
Washington DC and you’re driving around you’ll find that the 14th Street Bridge
you’ll find that the 14th Street Bridge
you’ll find that the 14th Street Bridge has been renamed it’s now called the
has been renamed it’s now called the
has been renamed it’s now called the Arland D Williams jr. bridge and when if
Arland D Williams jr. bridge and when if
Arland D Williams jr. bridge and when if you passed that you can tell your
you passed that you can tell your
you passed that you can tell your friends and your car you because it
friends and your car you because it
friends and your car you because it wasn’t a present United States but he
wasn’t a present United States but he
wasn’t a present United States but he was the man in the water and you can
was the man in the water and you can
was the man in the water and you can tell his story there’s an area of
tell his story there’s an area of
tell his story there’s an area of psychology you’re probably familiar with
psychology you’re probably familiar with
psychology you’re probably familiar with and you may have studied it yourself if
and you may have studied it yourself if
and you may have studied it yourself if you’re a psychology major and one of the
you’re a psychology major and one of the
you’re a psychology major and one of the anxiety disorders known as
anxiety disorders known as
anxiety disorders known as post-traumatic stress a lot of research
post-traumatic stress a lot of research
post-traumatic stress a lot of research has been done on PTSD first of all by
has been done on PTSD first of all by
has been done on PTSD first of all by veterans from war and then other people
veterans from war and then other people
veterans from war and then other people who have been survivors of accidents
who have been survivors of accidents
who have been survivors of accidents like a plane crash some kind of
like a plane crash some kind of
like a plane crash some kind of traumatic event but I’m most interested
traumatic event but I’m most interested
traumatic event but I’m most interested in a new area developing from this area
in a new area developing from this area
in a new area developing from this area of research called post-traumatic growth
of research called post-traumatic growth
of research called post-traumatic growth the growth that occurs in some people as
the growth that occurs in some people as
the growth that occurs in some people as a result of a traumatic event I don’t
a result of a traumatic event I don’t
a result of a traumatic event I don’t think there’s anything more traumatic in
think there’s anything more traumatic in
think there’s anything more traumatic in the life of anybody than the death of a
the life of anybody than the death of a
the life of anybody than the death of a child and there the growth that can come
child and there the growth that can come
child and there the growth that can come from that can be phenomenal there’s a
from that can be phenomenal there’s a
from that can be phenomenal there’s a story of a family that Huffington Post
story of a family that Huffington Post
story of a family that Huffington Post is written about fairly recently it
is written about fairly recently it
is written about fairly recently it traveled through the internet and
traveled through the internet and
traveled through the internet and Huffington Post want to find out what’s
Huffington Post want to find out what’s
Huffington Post want to find out what’s the real story behind this because
the real story behind this because
the real story behind this because almost too good to be true so they went
almost too good to be true so they went
almost too good to be true so they went ahead and interviewed all the major
ahead and interviewed all the major
ahead and interviewed all the major players there was a woman
players there was a woman
players there was a woman 26 years old single five year old son
26 years old single five year old son
26 years old single five year old son who was ill she took him to a hospital
who was ill she took him to a hospital
who was ill she took him to a hospital in Phoenix Arizona only to find out that
in Phoenix Arizona only to find out that
in Phoenix Arizona only to find out that he had leukemia terminal leukemia she
he had leukemia terminal leukemia she
he had leukemia terminal leukemia she didn’t really know what to do but she
didn’t really know what to do but she
didn’t really know what to do but she developed a very close relationship with
developed a very close relationship with
developed a very close relationship with the oncologist who was treating her son
the oncologist who was treating her son
the oncologist who was treating her son Bob see his full name is Frank Salazar
Bob see his full name is Frank Salazar
Bob see his full name is Frank Salazar but she called him Bob see the doctor
but she called him Bob see the doctor
but she called him Bob see the doctor had been very close with another family
had been very close with another family
had been very close with another family a woman who lost her seven-year-old son
a woman who lost her seven-year-old son
a woman who lost her seven-year-old son to leukemia very recently but she and a
to leukemia very recently but she and a
to leukemia very recently but she and a group of police officers who had made
group of police officers who had made
group of police officers who had made their son her son’s life very special
their son her son’s life very special
their son her son’s life very special towards the end it started a new charity
towards the end it started a new charity
towards the end it started a new charity a new foundation they wanted to go ahead
a new foundation they wanted to go ahead
a new foundation they wanted to go ahead and do to go ahead and raise awareness
and do to go ahead and raise awareness
and do to go ahead and raise awareness for children who were suffering in the
for children who were suffering in the
for children who were suffering in the last moments of life they wanted to make
last moments of life they wanted to make
last moments of life they wanted to make their moments count they wanted to make
their moments count they wanted to make
their moments count they wanted to make their wishes come true and they started
their wishes come true and they started
their wishes come true and they started a charity called Make A Wish Foundation
a charity called Make A Wish Foundation
a charity called Make A Wish Foundation what you’ve probably heard about because
what you’ve probably heard about because
what you’ve probably heard about because they such the lives of many terminal
they such the lives of many terminal
they such the lives of many terminal children around the world
children around the world
children around the world Bob C was the very first make-a-wish
Bob C was the very first make-a-wish
Bob C was the very first make-a-wish Foundation recipient and the way it
Foundation recipient and the way it
Foundation recipient and the way it worked is the doctor told Bob sees mom
worked is the doctor told Bob sees mom
worked is the doctor told Bob sees mom about this Bob his mom contacted the
about this Bob his mom contacted the
about this Bob his mom contacted the make-a-wish people the police officer
make-a-wish people the police officer
make-a-wish people the police officer were not an interviewed Bob C and said
were not an interviewed Bob C and said
were not an interviewed Bob C and said if you had to wish what would you wish
if you had to wish what would you wish
if you had to wish what would you wish to come true his first wish was to take
to come true his first wish was to take
to come true his first wish was to take a balloon ride hot-air balloon ride
a balloon ride hot-air balloon ride
a balloon ride hot-air balloon ride second wish was to go ahead and go to
second wish was to go ahead and go to
second wish was to go ahead and go to Disneyland third wish well he wanted to
Disneyland third wish well he wanted to
Disneyland third wish well he wanted to become a fireman when he grew up well
become a fireman when he grew up well
become a fireman when he grew up well the police officer could easily take
the police officer could easily take
the police officer could easily take care of the first two if they’re with a
care of the first two if they’re with a
care of the first two if they’re with a fledgling foundation don’t know if you
fledgling foundation don’t know if you
fledgling foundation don’t know if you realize but Arizona is home to hot air
realize but Arizona is home to hot air
realize but Arizona is home to hot air ballooning particularly first thing in
ballooning particularly first thing in
ballooning particularly first thing in the morning the nature of a the climate
the morning the nature of a the climate
the morning the nature of a the climate there that was easy a trip to Disneyland
there that was easy a trip to Disneyland
there that was easy a trip to Disneyland no problem it’s a matter of fact it set
no problem it’s a matter of fact it set
no problem it’s a matter of fact it set up a long-standing relationship between
up a long-standing relationship between
up a long-standing relationship between the Disney parks and the Make A Wish
the Disney parks and the Make A Wish
the Disney parks and the Make A Wish Foundation because you can imagine a
Foundation because you can imagine a
Foundation because you can imagine a trip to Disney’s on the wish of many
trip to Disney’s on the wish of many
trip to Disney’s on the wish of many children’s wish list let alone those are
children’s wish list let alone those are
children’s wish list let alone those are very
very
very but lastly that trip to making him a
but lastly that trip to making him a
but lastly that trip to making him a fireman would take a little bit more
fireman would take a little bit more
fireman would take a little bit more work so his mother contacted the Phoenix
work so his mother contacted the Phoenix
work so his mother contacted the Phoenix Fire Department unfortunately she got in
Fire Department unfortunately she got in
Fire Department unfortunately she got in touch to the fellow named fireman Bob
touch to the fellow named fireman Bob
touch to the fellow named fireman Bob fireman Bob you see pictured there she
fireman Bob you see pictured there she
fireman Bob you see pictured there she told fireman Bob this story that her son
told fireman Bob this story that her son
told fireman Bob this story that her son was desperately ill that he didn’t have
was desperately ill that he didn’t have
was desperately ill that he didn’t have long to live but he’d always wished to
long to live but he’d always wished to
long to live but he’d always wished to be a firefighter
be a firefighter
be a firefighter which would he mind if she took his son
which would he mind if she took his son
which would he mind if she took his son her son out for a ride in a fire truck
her son out for a ride in a fire truck
her son out for a ride in a fire truck so he’d have that experience
so he’d have that experience
so he’d have that experience fireman’s Bob’s response was epic he
fireman’s Bob’s response was epic he
fireman’s Bob’s response was epic he said whoa we didn’t do better than that
said whoa we didn’t do better than that
said whoa we didn’t do better than that you send me his sizes we can actually
you send me his sizes we can actually
you send me his sizes we can actually have a real fireman’s hat a real
have a real fireman’s hat a real
have a real fireman’s hat a real fireman’s jacket a badge and boots
fireman’s jacket a badge and boots
fireman’s jacket a badge and boots because they’re all made here in Phoenix
because they’re all made here in Phoenix
because they’re all made here in Phoenix let’s do this right so several weeks
let’s do this right so several weeks
let’s do this right so several weeks later the appointed time arrives and
later the appointed time arrives and
later the appointed time arrives and there’s five-year-old Bob see getting on
there’s five-year-old Bob see getting on
there’s five-year-old Bob see getting on his Phoenix firemen department uniform
his Phoenix firemen department uniform
his Phoenix firemen department uniform and spends in a day going out with it
and spends in a day going out with it
and spends in a day going out with it with the Phoenix Fire Department it’s
with the Phoenix Fire Department it’s
with the Phoenix Fire Department it’s going to rescue calls and being part of
going to rescue calls and being part of
going to rescue calls and being part of the team the top Hartmann didn’t end
the team the top Hartmann didn’t end
the team the top Hartmann didn’t end there they continued connection with
there they continued connection with
there they continued connection with that family through the extra months the
that family through the extra months the
that family through the extra months the Bobbsey lived it was a surprise to
Bobbsey lived it was a surprise to
Bobbsey lived it was a surprise to everyone however when the end became
everyone however when the end became
everyone however when the end became inevitable the hospital notified that
inevitable the hospital notified that
inevitable the hospital notified that the the fire the firefighters that if
the the fire the firefighters that if
the the fire the firefighters that if they wanted to come see Bob see for one
they wanted to come see Bob see for one
they wanted to come see Bob see for one last time they better do so now and they
last time they better do so now and they
last time they better do so now and they inform the hospital they’d be on their
inform the hospital they’d be on their
inform the hospital they’d be on their way but for not for anyone to panic if
way but for not for anyone to panic if
way but for not for anyone to panic if they see the truck coming
they see the truck coming
they see the truck coming so firetruck peels out parks outside of
so firetruck peels out parks outside of
so firetruck peels out parks outside of Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix they
Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix they
Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix they raise the fire ladder to Bob C’s
raise the fire ladder to Bob C’s
raise the fire ladder to Bob C’s third-floor window and Captain Bob
third-floor window and Captain Bob
third-floor window and Captain Bob fireman Bob and free of his colleagues
fireman Bob and free of his colleagues
fireman Bob and free of his colleagues climbed that ladder bang on Bob his
climbed that ladder bang on Bob his
climbed that ladder bang on Bob his window Bob sees elated shocked that
window Bob sees elated shocked that
window Bob sees elated shocked that they’re there and they climbed through
they’re there and they climbed through
they’re there and they climbed through the ladder to his room to be with him
the ladder to his room to be with him
the ladder to his room to be with him he’s so moved by they see his mommy let
he’s so moved by they see his mommy let
he’s so moved by they see his mommy let me go down and see them at the truck let
me go down and see them at the truck let
me go down and see them at the truck let me see my team well they went down there
me see my team well they went down there
me see my team well they went down there to see the team and as they exit Saint
to see the team and as they exit Saint
to see the team and as they exit Saint Joseph’s Hospital they see the fire
Joseph’s Hospital they see the fire
Joseph’s Hospital they see the fire engine has been renamed the new name for
engine has been renamed the new name for
engine has been renamed the new name for the fire
the fire
the fire truck is b14 Bob see one Bob C turned to
truck is b14 Bob see one Bob C turned to
truck is b14 Bob see one Bob C turned to firemen Bob and said am i a real fireman
firemen Bob and said am i a real fireman
firemen Bob and said am i a real fireman now and Bob said to him well of course
now and Bob said to him well of course
now and Bob said to him well of course you are Bob see Bob C died the next day
you are Bob see Bob C died the next day
you are Bob see Bob C died the next day in the arm the loving arms of his mother
in the arm the loving arms of his mother
in the arm the loving arms of his mother his grandmother and his aunt but that
his grandmother and his aunt but that
his grandmother and his aunt but that boy’s last life those last few months of
boy’s last life those last few months of
boy’s last life those last few months of that boy’s life was filled with more
that boy’s life was filled with more
that boy’s life was filled with more love more attention than he could have
love more attention than he could have
love more attention than he could have ever imagined and certainly more than
ever imagined and certainly more than
ever imagined and certainly more than his mother could have ever planned for
his mother could have ever planned for
his mother could have ever planned for they faced the certainty of his death
they faced the certainty of his death
they faced the certainty of his death with the joy of being able to fill it
with the joy of being able to fill it
with the joy of being able to fill it with as much love and joy as they
with as much love and joy as they
with as much love and joy as they possibly could not just his mother but
possibly could not just his mother but
possibly could not just his mother but fireman Bob and the make-a-wish
fireman Bob and the make-a-wish
fireman Bob and the make-a-wish foundation founders and their very first
foundation founders and their very first
foundation founders and their very first recipient who they didn’t make to make
recipient who they didn’t make to make
recipient who they didn’t make to make the choose a wish but instead granted
the choose a wish but instead granted
the choose a wish but instead granted them all their uncertainty was faced
them all their uncertainty was faced
them all their uncertainty was faced with love and embraced the absolute
with love and embraced the absolute
with love and embraced the absolute everything they had for him but
everything they had for him but
everything they had for him but post-traumatic growth can come in many
post-traumatic growth can come in many
post-traumatic growth can come in many other ways and many other and many other
other ways and many other and many other
other ways and many other and many other dimensions and not everybody who faces
dimensions and not everybody who faces
dimensions and not everybody who faces tragedy has a loving supportive family
tragedy has a loving supportive family
tragedy has a loving supportive family or friends around them one of the
or friends around them one of the
or friends around them one of the positions that I’ve held as an educator
positions that I’ve held as an educator
positions that I’ve held as an educator before I came to Hong Kong was I was a
before I came to Hong Kong was I was a
before I came to Hong Kong was I was a teacher for the homeless I worked
teacher for the homeless I worked
teacher for the homeless I worked homeless children in youth one of the
homeless children in youth one of the
homeless children in youth one of the last students I work with in that
last students I work with in that
last students I work with in that position let’s call him for privacy sake
position let’s call him for privacy sake
position let’s call him for privacy sake Robert Roberts 15 years old when he came
Robert Roberts 15 years old when he came
Robert Roberts 15 years old when he came in the shelter with his mother they’d
in the shelter with his mother they’d
in the shelter with his mother they’d spent the last year-and-a-half living
spent the last year-and-a-half living
spent the last year-and-a-half living out of the back of their car in Madeira
out of the back of their car in Madeira
out of the back of their car in Madeira Beach Florida they come to the homeless
Beach Florida they come to the homeless
Beach Florida they come to the homeless shelter only because his mother was ill
shelter only because his mother was ill
shelter only because his mother was ill and my job was to get Robert into school
and my job was to get Robert into school
and my job was to get Robert into school as it was all our homeless children and
as it was all our homeless children and
as it was all our homeless children and youth well we get Robert into school but
youth well we get Robert into school but
youth well we get Robert into school but just as he’s getting settled in school
just as he’s getting settled in school
just as he’s getting settled in school his mother is quickly hospitalized and
his mother is quickly hospitalized and
his mother is quickly hospitalized and unfortunately and surprising to all of
unfortunately and surprising to all of
unfortunately and surprising to all of us she died not long afterwards I had to
us she died not long afterwards I had to
us she died not long afterwards I had to deliver the message to Robert that his
deliver the message to Robert that his
deliver the message to Robert that his mother died and I had to take him up the
mother died and I had to take him up the
mother died and I had to take him up the shelter right away to clear out the room
shelter right away to clear out the room
shelter right away to clear out the room that they shared because the shelter
that they shared because the shelter
that they shared because the shelter staff needed it back we went back to the
staff needed it back we went back to the
staff needed it back we went back to the shelter we cleared it out all the thing
shelter we cleared it out all the thing
shelter we cleared it out all the thing all the shelter had were some big black
all the shelter had were some big black
all the shelter had were some big black garbage bags
garbage bags
garbage bags rubbish bags for him to fill up with
rubbish bags for him to fill up with
rubbish bags for him to fill up with there were no suitcases nothing there
there were no suitcases nothing there
there were no suitcases nothing there there wasn’t much for him to have to
there wasn’t much for him to have to
there wasn’t much for him to have to fill up having spent the last year and a
fill up having spent the last year and a
fill up having spent the last year and a half in the back of a car but he put
half in the back of a car but he put
half in the back of a car but he put together what few items that he had his
together what few items that he had his
together what few items that he had his personal items he donated all his
personal items he donated all his
personal items he donated all his mother’s clothes and her things to the
mother’s clothes and her things to the
mother’s clothes and her things to the shelter he did however save one small
shelter he did however save one small
shelter he did however save one small bottle of department store perfume so he
bottle of department store perfume so he
bottle of department store perfume so he could remember her fragrance in better
could remember her fragrance in better
could remember her fragrance in better days but as we left there he said what
days but as we left there he said what
days but as we left there he said what am I gonna do now
am I gonna do now
am I gonna do now as they took that 45-minute journey from
as they took that 45-minute journey from
as they took that 45-minute journey from the homeless shelter to where I was
the homeless shelter to where I was
the homeless shelter to where I was gonna have to take him now to a foster
gonna have to take him now to a foster
gonna have to take him now to a foster home it suddenly dawned on me that I’d
home it suddenly dawned on me that I’d
home it suddenly dawned on me that I’d work with a lot of different families
work with a lot of different families
work with a lot of different families I’d work with great families I’d work
I’d work with great families I’d work
I’d work with great families I’d work with good families I work with bad
with good families I work with bad
with good families I work with bad families violent families abusive
families violent families abusive
families violent families abusive families but I had never dealt with
families but I had never dealt with
families but I had never dealt with anyone or had a child who was so totally
anyone or had a child who was so totally
anyone or had a child who was so totally alone there was literally no family
alone there was literally no family
alone there was literally no family willing or able to take him in there was
willing or able to take him in there was
willing or able to take him in there was no one who’s going to take him out for
no one who’s going to take him out for
no one who’s going to take him out for dinner there was no one to go to the
dinner there was no one to go to the
dinner there was no one to go to the cinema with there was no one to
cinema with there was no one to
cinema with there was no one to celebrate his birthday there was
celebrate his birthday there was
celebrate his birthday there was literally nobody in this boy’s life we
literally nobody in this boy’s life we
literally nobody in this boy’s life we took him back to the homeless shelter
took him back to the homeless shelter
took him back to the homeless shelter and he unfortunately was stuck in that
and he unfortunately was stuck in that
and he unfortunately was stuck in that in that chasm where he was too old
in that chasm where he was too old
in that chasm where he was too old really for foster care but too young for
really for foster care but too young for
really for foster care but too young for transitional care that you would find
transitional care that you would find
transitional care that you would find were 18 year olds and above I followed
were 18 year olds and above I followed
were 18 year olds and above I followed up in the next several months as he was
up in the next several months as he was
up in the next several months as he was in these various foster homes on a 16th
in these various foster homes on a 16th
in these various foster homes on a 16th birthday fortunately with the great work
birthday fortunately with the great work
birthday fortunately with the great work of our local social workers and the
of our local social workers and the
of our local social workers and the Department of Children families they
Department of Children families they
Department of Children families they were able to get him into a transitional
were able to get him into a transitional
were able to get him into a transitional housing when I tucked him in so to speak
housing when I tucked him in so to speak
housing when I tucked him in so to speak in his in his new flat getting him set
in his in his new flat getting him set
in his in his new flat getting him set up moving at the last of the things
up moving at the last of the things
up moving at the last of the things would be the last time I would see him
would be the last time I would see him
would be the last time I would see him face to face he turned to me and said
face to face he turned to me and said
face to face he turned to me and said you know I can do this
you know I can do this
you know I can do this I really have hope that things are gonna
I really have hope that things are gonna
I really have hope that things are gonna get better well he said that with a
get better well he said that with a
get better well he said that with a smile and I broke down as soon as I left
smile and I broke down as soon as I left
smile and I broke down as soon as I left his apartment because I had never met
his apartment because I had never met
his apartment because I had never met anybody who had such faith and hope in
anybody who had such faith and hope in
anybody who had such faith and hope in the future with so little reason to do
the future with so little reason to do
the future with so little reason to do so there was nobody else in this boy’s
so there was nobody else in this boy’s
so there was nobody else in this boy’s life but he was
life but he was
life but he was not gonna let that defeat him which
not gonna let that defeat him which
not gonna let that defeat him which leads me if we could move to the next
leads me if we could move to the next
leads me if we could move to the next slide there’s a 13th century Persian
slide there’s a 13th century Persian
slide there’s a 13th century Persian poet by the name of Rumi who you’ve
poet by the name of Rumi who you’ve
poet by the name of Rumi who you’ve probably come across we had talked that
probably come across we had talked that
probably come across we had talked that one of the one of the paralyzing pieces
one of the one of the paralyzing pieces
one of the one of the paralyzing pieces behind uncertainty is this idea of fear
behind uncertainty is this idea of fear
behind uncertainty is this idea of fear but this quote fear knocked on the door
but this quote fear knocked on the door
but this quote fear knocked on the door love answered and no one was there it’s
love answered and no one was there it’s
love answered and no one was there it’s a pretty powerful vision for us when we
a pretty powerful vision for us when we
a pretty powerful vision for us when we think about fear as being part of
think about fear as being part of
think about fear as being part of uncertainty because what I’ve also
uncertainty because what I’ve also
uncertainty because what I’ve also discovered yeah there’s a certainty of
discovered yeah there’s a certainty of
discovered yeah there’s a certainty of death but the other certainty that we
death but the other certainty that we
death but the other certainty that we know we can live with is that love does
know we can live with is that love does
know we can live with is that love does in fact dissolve and dissipate fear love
in fact dissolve and dissipate fear love
in fact dissolve and dissipate fear love is the uniting force that binds us
is the uniting force that binds us
is the uniting force that binds us together and reveals our deepest
together and reveals our deepest
together and reveals our deepest humanity I’ve learned that through these
humanity I’ve learned that through these
humanity I’ve learned that through these stories I’ve learned this face to face
stories I’ve learned this face to face
stories I’ve learned this face to face and I leave that here with you today
and I leave that here with you today
and I leave that here with you today thank you very much
”
Be First to Comment