[Music] [Applause]
how’s everyone doing this afternoon good
how’s everyone doing this afternoon good um I guess I should start off my
um I guess I should start off my
um I guess I should start off my presentation by addressing the very
presentation by addressing the very
presentation by addressing the very obvious elephant in the room the thing
obvious elephant in the room the thing
obvious elephant in the room the thing that you can see you know with me here
that you can see you know with me here
that you can see you know with me here up on stage or maybe in the in the
up on stage or maybe in the in the
up on stage or maybe in the in the picture behind me but it’s it’s plain as
picture behind me but it’s it’s plain as
picture behind me but it’s it’s plain as day you can clearly see that my right
day you can clearly see that my right
day you can clearly see that my right ear is a little bit bigger than my left
ear is a little bit bigger than my left
ear is a little bit bigger than my left ear and it’s true
ear and it’s true
ear and it’s true it is very very true I I know it it
it is very very true I I know it it
it is very very true I I know it it attracts from a lot of the other things
attracts from a lot of the other things
attracts from a lot of the other things about me but no I
about me but no I
about me but no I joking aside I had a ear surgery a
joking aside I had a ear surgery a
joking aside I had a ear surgery a little while ago and and after the
little while ago and and after the
little while ago and and after the surgery the doctor said not it’s pretty
surgery the doctor said not it’s pretty
surgery the doctor said not it’s pretty swollen
swollen
swollen it’ll take a while for that swell and to
it’ll take a while for that swell and to
it’ll take a while for that swell and to come down but you know don’t worry it’ll
come down but you know don’t worry it’ll
come down but you know don’t worry it’ll eventually even out and I thought you
eventually even out and I thought you
eventually even out and I thought you know if people are going to notice my
know if people are going to notice my
know if people are going to notice my Reiter being a little bit bigger than my
Reiter being a little bit bigger than my
Reiter being a little bit bigger than my left ear over and above the fact that
left ear over and above the fact that
left ear over and above the fact that I’m missing arms and legs they have a
I’m missing arms and legs they have a
I’m missing arms and legs they have a very fine attention to detail because I
very fine attention to detail because I
very fine attention to detail because I would think this would distract distract
would think this would distract distract
would think this would distract distract them enough but you know I I was born
them enough but you know I I was born
them enough but you know I I was born without arms and legs there’s no rule
without arms and legs there’s no rule
without arms and legs there’s no rule known reason as to why I was born like
known reason as to why I was born like
known reason as to why I was born like this when I was born there was lots of
this when I was born there was lots of
this when I was born there was lots of people that worried maybe my mom was
people that worried maybe my mom was
people that worried maybe my mom was exposed to chemicals on the farm a lot
exposed to chemicals on the farm a lot
exposed to chemicals on the farm a lot of people asked me if I was fluid in my
of people asked me if I was fluid in my
of people asked me if I was fluid in my baby my mom never took time I ever took
baby my mom never took time I ever took
baby my mom never took time I ever took anything that you know that might have
anything that you know that might have
anything that you know that might have been hindrance or detrimental to the
been hindrance or detrimental to the
been hindrance or detrimental to the pregnancy it’s just one of those things
pregnancy it’s just one of those things
pregnancy it’s just one of those things that happened also my parents are not
that happened also my parents are not
that happened also my parents are not related so you can rule that one out too
but you know a lot of people will ask me
but you know a lot of people will ask me if and what what growing up without arms
if and what what growing up without arms
if and what what growing up without arms and legs was like especially kids kids
and legs was like especially kids kids
and legs was like especially kids kids kids ask the best questions and they’ll
kids ask the best questions and they’ll
kids ask the best questions and they’ll say well what does it feel like to not
say well what does it feel like to not
say well what does it feel like to not have any arms and legs I’ll tell them
have any arms and legs I’ll tell them
have any arms and legs I’ll tell them what does it was it feel like to have
what does it was it feel like to have
what does it was it feel like to have arms and legs I said well pretty normal
arms and legs I said well pretty normal
arms and legs I said well pretty normal that’s exactly and those
that’s exactly and those
that’s exactly and those two reasons why growing up without arms
two reasons why growing up without arms
two reasons why growing up without arms and legs in my opinion was quite easy
and legs in my opinion was quite easy
and legs in my opinion was quite easy and one this has been my normal my whole
and one this has been my normal my whole
and one this has been my normal my whole life I’ve never known what it’s like to
life I’ve never known what it’s like to
life I’ve never known what it’s like to have arms and legs and I just figured
have arms and legs and I just figured
have arms and legs and I just figured out how to do things the same way you
out how to do things the same way you
out how to do things the same way you guys did you know your fingers and toes
guys did you know your fingers and toes
guys did you know your fingers and toes and knees and elbows you just learned
and knees and elbows you just learned
and knees and elbows you just learned how to do things you learn how to grasp
how to do things you learn how to grasp
how to do things you learn how to grasp things with your hands when you were
things with your hands when you were
things with your hands when you were baby then you learn how to crawl and
baby then you learn how to crawl and
baby then you learn how to crawl and then you learn how to walk and then
then you learn how to walk and then
then you learn how to walk and then learn how to run and and now you do
learn how to run and and now you do
learn how to run and and now you do everything just second nature is the
everything just second nature is the
everything just second nature is the same thing for me you know I had to you
same thing for me you know I had to you
same thing for me you know I had to you know figure out different ways of doing
know figure out different ways of doing
know figure out different ways of doing things absolutely but you know
things absolutely but you know
things absolutely but you know everything that I was born with I’ve
everything that I was born with I’ve
everything that I was born with I’ve just learned how to maneuver you know
just learned how to maneuver you know
just learned how to maneuver you know getting around on the on the skateboard
getting around on the on the skateboard
getting around on the on the skateboard if I need to go somewhere that I maybe
if I need to go somewhere that I maybe
if I need to go somewhere that I maybe can’t board I can hop on my one leg I
can’t board I can hop on my one leg I
can’t board I can hop on my one leg I did wear prosthetic legs when I was
did wear prosthetic legs when I was
did wear prosthetic legs when I was younger but I just found that I can get
younger but I just found that I can get
younger but I just found that I can get farther faster more efficiently on the
farther faster more efficiently on the
farther faster more efficiently on the board than I ever could on on the
board than I ever could on on the
board than I ever could on on the artificial legs and then as far as
artificial legs and then as far as
artificial legs and then as far as artificial arms are concerned I never
artificial arms are concerned I never
artificial arms are concerned I never never really liked artificial arms I was
never really liked artificial arms I was
never really liked artificial arms I was found I was able to do everything with
found I was able to do everything with
found I was able to do everything with what I have far more efficiently than I
what I have far more efficiently than I
what I have far more efficiently than I could with with any prosthetics that
could with with any prosthetics that
could with with any prosthetics that ever ever tried out even that’s just the
ever ever tried out even that’s just the
ever ever tried out even that’s just the regular clicker there’s no sticky on the
regular clicker there’s no sticky on the
regular clicker there’s no sticky on the back of it so I observed of able to
back of it so I observed of able to
back of it so I observed of able to balance things quite well which
balance things quite well which
balance things quite well which ironically I’m a hand talker so that
ironically I’m a hand talker so that
ironically I’m a hand talker so that comes in handy that’s also a pun but um
comes in handy that’s also a pun but um
comes in handy that’s also a pun but um you know you just you figure it out and
you know you just you figure it out and
you know you just you figure it out and even something like operating my cell
even something like operating my cell
even something like operating my cell phone
phone
phone pop that out of my pocket I don’t have
pop that out of my pocket I don’t have
pop that out of my pocket I don’t have to use Siri or voice text I can use the
to use Siri or voice text I can use the
to use Siri or voice text I can use the phone just as is again it’s just a
phone just as is again it’s just a
phone just as is again it’s just a regular phone case there’s no sticky on
regular phone case there’s no sticky on
regular phone case there’s no sticky on the back lot of people will say was is
the back lot of people will say was is
the back lot of people will say was is there a magnet in there but yeah that
there a magnet in there but yeah that
there a magnet in there but yeah that would work fantastic if I was made of
would work fantastic if I was made of
would work fantastic if I was made of metal but you know I could swipe in hit
metal but you know I could swipe in hit
metal but you know I could swipe in hit the individual password I could type tax
the individual password I could type tax
the individual password I could type tax send emails maybe not quite as quickly
send emails maybe not quite as quickly
send emails maybe not quite as quickly as you guys can but still quite fast and
as you guys can but still quite fast and
as you guys can but still quite fast and the only thing I really do differently
the only thing I really do differently
the only thing I really do differently on my phone then you guys would is when
on my phone then you guys would is when
on my phone then you guys would is when you’re zooming into a photograph or a
you’re zooming into a photograph or a
you’re zooming into a photograph or a website use your your thumb and your
website use your your thumb and your
website use your your thumb and your pointer finger I have to use my my mouth
pointer finger I have to use my my mouth
pointer finger I have to use my my mouth like this
like this
like this so my buddies my buddies will tease me
so my buddies my buddies will tease me
so my buddies my buddies will tease me about whose photo I’m looking at
usually it’s a photo of myself the other
usually it’s a photo of myself the other reason why growing up without arms and
reason why growing up without arms and
reason why growing up without arms and legs was easy is a good sense of humor
legs was easy is a good sense of humor
legs was easy is a good sense of humor I’ve always said if you can’t laugh at
I’ve always said if you can’t laugh at
I’ve always said if you can’t laugh at life what can you laugh at and we take
life what can you laugh at and we take
life what can you laugh at and we take life far too seriously
life far too seriously
life far too seriously in my opinion and then being able to to
in my opinion and then being able to to
in my opinion and then being able to to laugh off any situation that you’re in
laugh off any situation that you’re in
laugh off any situation that you’re in whether it be my situation being born
whether it be my situation being born
whether it be my situation being born without arms and legs or any situation
without arms and legs or any situation
without arms and legs or any situation that any of you might find yourself in
that any of you might find yourself in
that any of you might find yourself in whether it be a bad day at work bad day
whether it be a bad day at work bad day
whether it be a bad day at work bad day at school or just having a rough time if
at school or just having a rough time if
at school or just having a rough time if you could slow it down and find the
you could slow it down and find the
you could slow it down and find the funny it helps you get over it it makes
funny it helps you get over it it makes
funny it helps you get over it it makes life seem not so stressful and you know
life seem not so stressful and you know
life seem not so stressful and you know you give yourself a good chuckle and
you give yourself a good chuckle and
you give yourself a good chuckle and maybe you share that story with family
maybe you share that story with family
maybe you share that story with family friends co-workers whatever and give
friends co-workers whatever and give
friends co-workers whatever and give them a good laugh and you know that
them a good laugh and you know that
them a good laugh and you know that stage was set very very early on when I
stage was set very very early on when I
stage was set very very early on when I was born when I was born it wasn’t oh my
was born when I was born it wasn’t oh my
was born when I was born it wasn’t oh my goodness what are we going to do this is
goodness what are we going to do this is
goodness what are we going to do this is a tragedy and what kind of quality of
a tragedy and what kind of quality of
a tragedy and what kind of quality of life is he going to have my grandma’s
life is he going to have my grandma’s
life is he going to have my grandma’s reaction to the hearing that I was born
reaction to the hearing that I was born
reaction to the hearing that I was born missing arms and legs was that my dad
missing arms and legs was that my dad
missing arms and legs was that my dad never finished anything he started
it’s true um you know it was going to be
it’s true um you know it was going to be one of those things where you know what
one of those things where you know what
one of those things where you know what everything’s gonna be fine we’re going
everything’s gonna be fine we’re going
everything’s gonna be fine we’re going to figure this out we’re going to have
to figure this out we’re going to have
to figure this out we’re going to have some good laughs along the way and also
some good laughs along the way and also
some good laughs along the way and also to my parents took a very hands-off
to my parents took a very hands-off
to my parents took a very hands-off approach to how they how they raised me
approach to how they how they raised me
approach to how they how they raised me they let me figure things out and they
they let me figure things out and they
they let me figure things out and they knew early on that if they did
knew early on that if they did
knew early on that if they did everything for me all they were going to
everything for me all they were going to
everything for me all they were going to teach me is to sit back and wait for
teach me is to sit back and wait for
teach me is to sit back and wait for somebody else to do it
somebody else to do it
somebody else to do it and mom and dad said there were a lot of
and mom and dad said there were a lot of
and mom and dad said there were a lot of times where it was tough to sit back and
times where it was tough to sit back and
times where it was tough to sit back and watch me struggle but they knew that I
watch me struggle but they knew that I
watch me struggle but they knew that I had to fail a few times I had to fail a
had to fail a few times I had to fail a
had to fail a few times I had to fail a lot of times to get to the point where I
lot of times to get to the point where I
lot of times to get to the point where I am today where I’m completely
am today where I’m completely
am today where I’m completely self-sufficient independent I when I’m
self-sufficient independent I when I’m
self-sufficient independent I when I’m traveling on the road with this job I
traveling on the road with this job I
traveling on the road with this job I don’t have to have somebody traveling
don’t have to have somebody traveling
don’t have to have somebody traveling with me now if you walked into my
with me now if you walked into my
with me now if you walked into my apartment you would you would never know
apartment you would you would never know
apartment you would you would never know that there’s a person with a disability
that there’s a person with a disability
that there’s a person with a disability or person missing arms and legs living
or person missing arms and legs living
or person missing arms and legs living in there to the same apartment as
in there to the same apartment as
in there to the same apartment as anybody else and on the lessons more
anybody else and on the lessons more
anybody else and on the lessons more type of person I’ve always found that if
type of person I’ve always found that if
type of person I’ve always found that if I can accomplish my day to day tasks
I can accomplish my day to day tasks
I can accomplish my day to day tasks with the minimal amount of adaptive
with the minimal amount of adaptive
with the minimal amount of adaptive technology I’m setting myself up for
technology I’m setting myself up for
technology I’m setting myself up for success when I go outside though you can
success when I go outside though you can
success when I go outside though you can have all these gadgets around home but
have all these gadgets around home but
have all these gadgets around home but then you got to lug them everywhere you
then you got to lug them everywhere you
then you got to lug them everywhere you go and I love traveling I you know I’m
go and I love traveling I you know I’m
go and I love traveling I you know I’m not quite even close to the the level of
not quite even close to the the level of
not quite even close to the the level of gunner but I’m working on it but you
gunner but I’m working on it but you
gunner but I’m working on it but you know all the sudden if I don’t have to
know all the sudden if I don’t have to
know all the sudden if I don’t have to rely on grab bars and stools and
rely on grab bars and stools and
rely on grab bars and stools and prosthetics and and little gadgets to to
prosthetics and and little gadgets to to
prosthetics and and little gadgets to to do day-to-day tasks all of a sudden the
do day-to-day tasks all of a sudden the
do day-to-day tasks all of a sudden the whole world is accessible to me I could
whole world is accessible to me I could
whole world is accessible to me I could do anything anywhere and and it’s worked
do anything anywhere and and it’s worked
do anything anywhere and and it’s worked out great now I talk about growing up
out great now I talk about growing up
out great now I talk about growing up with arms and legs being easy and I’m
with arms and legs being easy and I’m
with arms and legs being easy and I’m talking about the physical aspect up you
talking about the physical aspect up you
talking about the physical aspect up you know trying to figure out how to get
know trying to figure out how to get
know trying to figure out how to get dressed or figuring out the longboard or
dressed or figuring out the longboard or
dressed or figuring out the longboard or opening up a bottle of water whatever
opening up a bottle of water whatever
opening up a bottle of water whatever those things those things were the easy
those things those things were the easy
those things those things were the easy the easy part it’s when the six inches
the easy part it’s when the six inches
the easy part it’s when the six inches of space between the ears gets in the
of space between the ears gets in the
of space between the ears gets in the way that’s when that’s when time can
way that’s when that’s when time can
way that’s when that’s when time can times can get a little more difficult
times can get a little more difficult
times can get a little more difficult and yeah I’ve had those days where I
and yeah I’ve had those days where I
and yeah I’ve had those days where I thought you know if
thought you know if
thought you know if I had arms and legs life would be a hell
I had arms and legs life would be a hell
I had arms and legs life would be a hell of a lot easier and I’ve had those
of a lot easier and I’ve had those
of a lot easier and I’ve had those moments where and I get so frustrated
moments where and I get so frustrated
moments where and I get so frustrated you know why do I have to work ten times
you know why do I have to work ten times
you know why do I have to work ten times as hard to to do a B and C man it would
as hard to to do a B and C man it would
as hard to to do a B and C man it would just be nice to walk into a hotel room
just be nice to walk into a hotel room
just be nice to walk into a hotel room and flip on the light switch that I
and flip on the light switch that I
and flip on the light switch that I could reach in and reach the the
could reach in and reach the the
could reach in and reach the the showerhead and all that kind of stuff or
showerhead and all that kind of stuff or
showerhead and all that kind of stuff or a bank machine I have not found a bank
a bank machine I have not found a bank
a bank machine I have not found a bank machine in the world and I’ve traveled
machine in the world and I’ve traveled
machine in the world and I’ve traveled to a lot of places not a single bank
to a lot of places not a single bank
to a lot of places not a single bank machine in the world am i able to just
machine in the world am i able to just
machine in the world am i able to just walk up to and grab cash out of there’s
walk up to and grab cash out of there’s
walk up to and grab cash out of there’s been many times I flagged down a random
been many times I flagged down a random
been many times I flagged down a random stranger and you know asked them to help
stranger and you know asked them to help
stranger and you know asked them to help me with the pin code very very I’m a
me with the pin code very very I’m a
me with the pin code very very I’m a very trusting person and so far that
very trusting person and so far that
very trusting person and so far that hasn’t hasn’t backfired on me but there
hasn’t hasn’t backfired on me but there
hasn’t hasn’t backfired on me but there was one day I got into Paris France and
was one day I got into Paris France and
was one day I got into Paris France and I hadn’t picked up any euro yet and so
I hadn’t picked up any euro yet and so
I hadn’t picked up any euro yet and so when I got there I checked into my
when I got there I checked into my
when I got there I checked into my hostel they only accepted cash I didn’t
hostel they only accepted cash I didn’t
hostel they only accepted cash I didn’t have any cash on me so about midnight
have any cash on me so about midnight
have any cash on me so about midnight one o’clock in the morning I took off to
one o’clock in the morning I took off to
one o’clock in the morning I took off to find a bank machine downtown Paris
find a bank machine downtown Paris
find a bank machine downtown Paris finally found one but as per usual I
finally found one but as per usual I
finally found one but as per usual I can’t reach it
can’t reach it
can’t reach it and I just one o’clock in the morning I
and I just one o’clock in the morning I
and I just one o’clock in the morning I was having a tough time picking out one
was having a tough time picking out one
was having a tough time picking out one person that I felt I could trust nothing
person that I felt I could trust nothing
person that I felt I could trust nothing against the French but so I’m looking
against the French but so I’m looking
against the French but so I’m looking around and I saw a little store a little
around and I saw a little store a little
around and I saw a little store a little restaurant couple doors down that tables
restaurant couple doors down that tables
restaurant couple doors down that tables and chairs sitting outside so I figured
and chairs sitting outside so I figured
and chairs sitting outside so I figured I’d grab a chair pull it up to the bank
I’d grab a chair pull it up to the bank
I’d grab a chair pull it up to the bank machine climb up get my money
machine climb up get my money
machine climb up get my money put the chair back no harm no foul
put the chair back no harm no foul
put the chair back no harm no foul because this restaurant is closed and so
because this restaurant is closed and so
because this restaurant is closed and so as I’m at the bank machine this guy
as I’m at the bank machine this guy
as I’m at the bank machine this guy comes out of the restaurant who can very
comes out of the restaurant who can very
comes out of the restaurant who can very very confused trying to figure out
very confused trying to figure out
very confused trying to figure out what’s going on what I didn’t realize is
what’s going on what I didn’t realize is
what’s going on what I didn’t realize is there’s he was in there cleaning up
there’s he was in there cleaning up
there’s he was in there cleaning up after they had closed and from his
after they had closed and from his
after they had closed and from his vantage point
so he come outside trying to figure out
so he come outside trying to figure out why his furniture was floating away but
why his furniture was floating away but
why his furniture was floating away but it’s one of those things in that moment
it’s one of those things in that moment
it’s one of those things in that moment I could have very very very easily got
I could have very very very easily got
I could have very very very easily got really pissed off and really angry and
really pissed off and really angry and
really pissed off and really angry and thought you know what this sucks if I
thought you know what this sucks if I
thought you know what this sucks if I had arms and legs I’d be able to do this
had arms and legs I’d be able to do this
had arms and legs I’d be able to do this way easier not have to you know try a B
way easier not have to you know try a B
way easier not have to you know try a B and C to figure out how to get you know
and C to figure out how to get you know
and C to figure out how to get you know money out of the bank machine but not
money out of the bank machine but not
money out of the bank machine but not you figure out a way if you want to
you figure out a way if you want to
you figure out a way if you want to figure out something bad enough you will
figure out something bad enough you will
figure out something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen and and
find a way to make it happen and and
find a way to make it happen and and honestly you push through those tougher
honestly you push through those tougher
honestly you push through those tougher moments and more often than not there’s
moments and more often than not there’s
moments and more often than not there’s a good story and maybe even a funny
a good story and maybe even a funny
a good story and maybe even a funny story that comes out of that too but
story that comes out of that too but
story that comes out of that too but yeah be able to slow it down and think
yeah be able to slow it down and think
yeah be able to slow it down and think of the things that are going well in
of the things that are going well in
of the things that are going well in your life instead of letting the
your life instead of letting the
your life instead of letting the negativity boil over
negativity boil over
negativity boil over think about and for me yeah born missing
think about and for me yeah born missing
think about and for me yeah born missing arms and legs I’m never going to have
arms and legs I’m never going to have
arms and legs I’m never going to have arms and legs I’m worrying about things
arms and legs I’m worrying about things
arms and legs I’m worrying about things that I have no control over I’m never
that I have no control over I’m never
that I have no control over I’m never going to be able to change that what I
going to be able to change that what I
going to be able to change that what I do have in my life I have an amazing
do have in my life I have an amazing
do have in my life I have an amazing family I have two little nephews and a
family I have two little nephews and a
family I have two little nephews and a niece that I absolutely love to death
niece that I absolutely love to death
niece that I absolutely love to death that necklace there was made by one of
that necklace there was made by one of
that necklace there was made by one of them um you know I grew up in a great
them um you know I grew up in a great
them um you know I grew up in a great community in Nansen Alberta Canada I
community in Nansen Alberta Canada I
community in Nansen Alberta Canada I have a job that I absolutely love I get
have a job that I absolutely love I get
have a job that I absolutely love I get to travel the world share my story I’ve
to travel the world share my story I’ve
to travel the world share my story I’ve seen some amazing places met some
seen some amazing places met some
seen some amazing places met some incredible people and then I also work
incredible people and then I also work
incredible people and then I also work on the farm when I’m not busy doing this
on the farm when I’m not busy doing this
on the farm when I’m not busy doing this and I absolutely love that all of those
and I absolutely love that all of those
and I absolutely love that all of those things make the fact that I was born
things make the fact that I was born
things make the fact that I was born without arms and legs
without arms and legs
without arms and legs absolutely moot secondary irrelevant and
absolutely moot secondary irrelevant and
absolutely moot secondary irrelevant and and you know it’s a choice it’s you know
and you know it’s a choice it’s you know
and you know it’s a choice it’s you know being able to recognize the good things
being able to recognize the good things
being able to recognize the good things that are going on in life and there’s
that are going on in life and there’s
that are going on in life and there’s the same if you know the great the grass
the same if you know the great the grass
the same if you know the great the grass is greener on the other side of the
is greener on the other side of the
is greener on the other side of the fence I tend to think that the grass is
fence I tend to think that the grass is
fence I tend to think that the grass is pretty green right where you stand you
pretty green right where you stand you
pretty green right where you stand you just got to take the time to to notice
just got to take the time to to notice
just got to take the time to to notice it and acknowledge it um so once you are
it and acknowledge it um so once you are
it and acknowledge it um so once you are able to put things in perspective and
able to put things in perspective and
able to put things in perspective and really realize that life is pretty good
really realize that life is pretty good
really realize that life is pretty good life is pretty awesome if you want it to
life is pretty awesome if you want it to
life is pretty awesome if you want it to be then then it’s about being confident
be then then it’s about being confident
be then then it’s about being confident in yourself and for me I know I’m
in yourself and for me I know I’m
in yourself and for me I know I’m different
different
different different isn’t a bad thing call it
different isn’t a bad thing call it
different isn’t a bad thing call it unique call it special call it whatever
unique call it special call it whatever
unique call it special call it whatever you want but the fact of the matter is
you want but the fact of the matter is
you want but the fact of the matter is when I’m going down the sidewalk or down
when I’m going down the sidewalk or down
when I’m going down the sidewalk or down the street or rolling around campus I
the street or rolling around campus I
the street or rolling around campus I get stares I get questions I’ve had
get stares I get questions I’ve had
get stares I get questions I’ve had every single possible reaction you could
every single possible reaction you could
every single possible reaction you could think of to my not having any arms and
think of to my not having any arms and
think of to my not having any arms and legs and it doesn’t bother me
legs and it doesn’t bother me
legs and it doesn’t bother me never I would rather actually take a
never I would rather actually take a
never I would rather actually take a minute or two and answer a couple
minute or two and answer a couple
minute or two and answer a couple questions and give somebody the right
questions and give somebody the right
questions and give somebody the right answer then for somebody make an
answer then for somebody make an
answer then for somebody make an incorrect assumption as to what I can or
incorrect assumption as to what I can or
incorrect assumption as to what I can or can’t do or you know what kind of
can’t do or you know what kind of
can’t do or you know what kind of quality of life I have and you know the
quality of life I have and you know the
quality of life I have and you know the stairs I have fun with it people in
stairs I have fun with it people in
stairs I have fun with it people in North America think they’re really
North America think they’re really
North America think they’re really sneaky about it you know we’ll be
sneaky about it you know we’ll be
sneaky about it you know we’ll be walking down the sidewalk or they will
walking down the sidewalk or they will
walking down the sidewalk or they will all be doing my thing and as we get
all be doing my thing and as we get
all be doing my thing and as we get closer they’ll be looking straight ahead
closer they’ll be looking straight ahead
closer they’ll be looking straight ahead but I’ll notice that they’ll be looking
but I’ll notice that they’ll be looking
but I’ll notice that they’ll be looking down out of the corner of their eye when
down out of the corner of their eye when
down out of the corner of their eye when we get closer and I know when I see that
we get closer and I know when I see that
we get closer and I know when I see that that after I pass them and take a look
that after I pass them and take a look
that after I pass them and take a look behind me I’m going to catch them and
behind me I’m going to catch them and
behind me I’m going to catch them and then they do this and pretend that they
then they do this and pretend that they
then they do this and pretend that they were it’s great but again it doesn’t
were it’s great but again it doesn’t
were it’s great but again it doesn’t bother me it does not bother me at all
bother me it does not bother me at all
bother me it does not bother me at all because I’m comfortable in my own skin
because I’m comfortable in my own skin
because I’m comfortable in my own skin I’m confident I’m proud of Who I am I
I’m confident I’m proud of Who I am I
I’m confident I’m proud of Who I am I you know and that confidence that’s on
you know and that confidence that’s on
you know and that confidence that’s on the inside projects on the outside and
the inside projects on the outside and
the inside projects on the outside and people pick up on that and yes the jokes
people pick up on that and yes the jokes
people pick up on that and yes the jokes that definitely does help
that definitely does help
that definitely does help I’ll tell the people that I have a
I’ll tell the people that I have a
I’ll tell the people that I have a disarming personality absolutely that
disarming personality absolutely that
disarming personality absolutely that that puts people at ease and and makes
that puts people at ease and and makes
that puts people at ease and and makes them helps them realize hey this is just
them helps them realize hey this is just
them helps them realize hey this is just a regular guy and to really drive this
a regular guy and to really drive this
a regular guy and to really drive this story home or drive this point home the
story home or drive this point home the
story home or drive this point home the best story I like to tell is is this
best story I like to tell is is this
best story I like to tell is is this picture here that’s a little tiny
picture here that’s a little tiny
picture here that’s a little tiny village just outside of Siem Reap close
village just outside of Siem Reap close
village just outside of Siem Reap close to Angkor Wat when we got there those
to Angkor Wat when we got there those
to Angkor Wat when we got there those kids were too sure how to react to me
kids were too sure how to react to me
kids were too sure how to react to me how to respond so I gave them my board
how to respond so I gave them my board
how to respond so I gave them my board and I let them play for for a minute or
and I let them play for for a minute or
and I let them play for for a minute or two and once they got comfortable I
two and once they got comfortable I
two and once they got comfortable I jumped in and was kind of playing with
jumped in and was kind of playing with
jumped in and was kind of playing with them for the time we got to that village
them for the time we got to that village
them for the time we got to that village to the time that photo was taken
to the time that photo was taken
to the time that photo was taken maybe maybe five minutes have gone by if
maybe maybe five minutes have gone by if
maybe maybe five minutes have gone by if I had gone into that village really
I had gone into that village really
I had gone into that village really self-conscious worried about how they’re
self-conscious worried about how they’re
self-conscious worried about how they’re going to react I always shy and and and
going to react I always shy and and and
going to react I always shy and and and you know hating that people stared you
you know hating that people stared you
you know hating that people stared you know that discomfort on the inside is
know that discomfort on the inside is
know that discomfort on the inside is going to project on the outside they’re
going to project on the outside they’re
going to project on the outside they’re going to pick up on
going to pick up on
going to pick up on but right there the last thing on those
but right there the last thing on those
but right there the last thing on those kids minds is that I missing arms or
kids minds is that I missing arms or
kids minds is that I missing arms or legs we’re just we’re just regular
legs we’re just we’re just regular
legs we’re just we’re just regular people
people
people and that’s you know right there being
and that’s you know right there being
and that’s you know right there being being comfortable in my own skin and not
being comfortable in my own skin and not
being comfortable in my own skin and not worrying about how people are going to
worrying about how people are going to
worrying about how people are going to react to me allows me to get out there
react to me allows me to get out there
react to me allows me to get out there and do all the things that I love doing
and do all the things that I love doing
and do all the things that I love doing or that I dreamt of doing and you know
or that I dreamt of doing and you know
or that I dreamt of doing and you know basically taking control my
basically taking control my
basically taking control my circumstances instead of passively
circumstances instead of passively
circumstances instead of passively passively waiting for basically for life
passively waiting for basically for life
passively waiting for basically for life to happen for life to decide my fate
to happen for life to decide my fate
to happen for life to decide my fate I’ve never been wanting to sit back and
I’ve never been wanting to sit back and
I’ve never been wanting to sit back and just let things happen and my parents
just let things happen and my parents
just let things happen and my parents were never ones to protect me they let
were never ones to protect me they let
were never ones to protect me they let me go they let me try two different
me go they let me try two different
me go they let me try two different things you know playing street hockey
things you know playing street hockey
things you know playing street hockey with with friends at a young age you
with with friends at a young age you
with with friends at a young age you know other parents and so who would have
know other parents and so who would have
know other parents and so who would have what if what if Chris gets hit in the
what if what if Chris gets hit in the
what if what if Chris gets hit in the face with a stick or a ball that’s part
face with a stick or a ball that’s part
face with a stick or a ball that’s part of growing up that’s all part of being
of growing up that’s all part of being
of growing up that’s all part of being kid I was never protected I was never in
kid I was never protected I was never in
kid I was never protected I was never in that bubble and I always went out there
that bubble and I always went out there
that bubble and I always went out there and wanted to challenge myself and try
and wanted to challenge myself and try
and wanted to challenge myself and try new things and do different things and
new things and do different things and
new things and do different things and you know things like learning how to ski
you know things like learning how to ski
you know things like learning how to ski you learn how to snowboard or playing
you learn how to snowboard or playing
you learn how to snowboard or playing baseball as a kid and now to this day
baseball as a kid and now to this day
baseball as a kid and now to this day you know examples like working on the
you know examples like working on the
you know examples like working on the farm I travel in the world traveling is
farm I travel in the world traveling is
farm I travel in the world traveling is something that I always loved doing and
something that I always loved doing and
something that I always loved doing and always dreamt of doing I looked at maps
always dreamt of doing I looked at maps
always dreamt of doing I looked at maps and watched travel shows all the time
and watched travel shows all the time
and watched travel shows all the time and and I always talked myself out of
and and I always talked myself out of
and and I always talked myself out of going on that big trip that I was wanted
going on that big trip that I was wanted
going on that big trip that I was wanted to take because I was worried well maybe
to take because I was worried well maybe
to take because I was worried well maybe I need to have somebody come with me
I need to have somebody come with me
I need to have somebody come with me just in case something happens or you
just in case something happens or you
just in case something happens or you know I don’t know maybe I don’t have
know I don’t know maybe I don’t have
know I don’t know maybe I don’t have enough money or you always find excuses
enough money or you always find excuses
enough money or you always find excuses find reasons to talk yourself out of it
find reasons to talk yourself out of it
find reasons to talk yourself out of it finally got sick and tired of making the
finally got sick and tired of making the
finally got sick and tired of making the excuse I booked a ticket and I did three
excuse I booked a ticket and I did three
excuse I booked a ticket and I did three months in Europe on my own I just my
months in Europe on my own I just my
months in Europe on my own I just my board my backpack and just winging it
board my backpack and just winging it
board my backpack and just winging it and it was absolutely incredible and
and it was absolutely incredible and
and it was absolutely incredible and that’s really where the whole if I can
that’s really where the whole if I can
that’s really where the whole if I can you know message that I preach and talk
you know message that I preach and talk
you know message that I preach and talk to speak to now really took off and and
to speak to now really took off and and
to speak to now really took off and and it’s just snowballed from there but
it’s just snowballed from there but
it’s just snowballed from there but instead of sitting back and and dreaming
instead of sitting back and and dreaming
instead of sitting back and and dreaming about doing the things that I’ve always
about doing the things that I’ve always
about doing the things that I’ve always wanted to do and talking about it taking
wanted to do and talking about it taking
wanted to do and talking about it taking action and getting out there and doing
action and getting out there and doing
action and getting out there and doing it
it
it and if you want something bad enough you
and if you want something bad enough you
and if you want something bad enough you know get out there and do it make it
know get out there and do it make it
know get out there and do it make it happen anything is possible
happen anything is possible
happen anything is possible there’s those cliches if you can dream
there’s those cliches if you can dream
there’s those cliches if you can dream it you can do it the sky’s the limit
it you can do it the sky’s the limit
it you can do it the sky’s the limit they’re all true if you wanted to put in
they’re all true if you wanted to put in
they’re all true if you wanted to put in the time and the effort have never quit
the time and the effort have never quit
the time and the effort have never quit don’t give up attitude absolutely
don’t give up attitude absolutely
don’t give up attitude absolutely anything is possible if a guy with arms
anything is possible if a guy with arms
anything is possible if a guy with arms and legs can do these things
and legs can do these things
and legs can do these things anybody can and I fully fully recognize
anybody can and I fully fully recognize
anybody can and I fully fully recognize that we all have our own story we all
that we all have our own story we all
that we all have our own story we all have our own thing
have our own thing
have our own thing Robin Williams said everybody you meet
Robin Williams said everybody you meet
Robin Williams said everybody you meet is fighting a battle that you can’t see
is fighting a battle that you can’t see
is fighting a battle that you can’t see we all have our own thing it’s up to us
we all have our own thing it’s up to us
we all have our own thing it’s up to us whether we decide to let it rule us or
whether we decide to let it rule us or
whether we decide to let it rule us or we decide to accept it embrace it and
we decide to accept it embrace it and
we decide to accept it embrace it and and go over and above that in the end
and go over and above that in the end
and go over and above that in the end you get out of life what you put into it
you get out of life what you put into it
you get out of life what you put into it you put out positivity you put out love
you put out positivity you put out love
you put out positivity you put out love you put a good energy all those hippy
you put a good energy all those hippy
you put a good energy all those hippy things you get it back and I’m serious
things you get it back and I’m serious
things you get it back and I’m serious you you put out good you get good back
you you put out good you get good back
you you put out good you get good back you put out negativity you put ugliness
you put out negativity you put ugliness
you put out negativity you put ugliness you put out hate you will get that back
you put out hate you will get that back
you put out hate you will get that back yes there are exceptions sometimes good
yes there are exceptions sometimes good
yes there are exceptions sometimes good or bad things will happen to good people
or bad things will happen to good people
or bad things will happen to good people but in my travels in my life 99.9% of
but in my travels in my life 99.9% of
but in my travels in my life 99.9% of the people I’ve ever encountered have
the people I’ve ever encountered have
the people I’ve ever encountered have been absolutely just anywhere from good
been absolutely just anywhere from good
been absolutely just anywhere from good absolutely credible it’s a small
absolutely credible it’s a small
absolutely credible it’s a small fraction percentage that that sticks out
fraction percentage that that sticks out
fraction percentage that that sticks out in the news and and you know with
in the news and and you know with
in the news and and you know with terrorism and murders and and whatnot
terrorism and murders and and whatnot
terrorism and murders and and whatnot but in my in my travels I’ve seen a lot
but in my in my travels I’ve seen a lot
but in my in my travels I’ve seen a lot of amazing amazing people and been been
of amazing amazing people and been been
of amazing amazing people and been been on the receiving end of a lot of kind
on the receiving end of a lot of kind
on the receiving end of a lot of kind gestures and and it’s all I go out there
gestures and and it’s all I go out there
gestures and and it’s all I go out there with a big smile on my face I’m having
with a big smile on my face I’m having
with a big smile on my face I’m having fun I’m loving life and and I encourage
fun I’m loving life and and I encourage
fun I’m loving life and and I encourage you do whatever your story is regardless
you do whatever your story is regardless
you do whatever your story is regardless of whatever your story is make the most
of whatever your story is make the most
of whatever your story is make the most of this there’s the same Yolo but I
of this there’s the same Yolo but I
of this there’s the same Yolo but I think it should be Yodo instead of you
think it should be Yodo instead of you
think it should be Yodo instead of you only live once it should be only die
only live once it should be only die
only live once it should be only die once on the morning of January 1st when
once on the morning of January 1st when
once on the morning of January 1st when you woke up this year you were given 365
you woke up this year you were given 365
you woke up this year you were given 365 opportunities to live and I encourage
opportunities to live and I encourage
opportunities to live and I encourage you to make the most out of each and
you to make the most out of each and
you to make the most out of each and every single one of those days because
every single one of those days because
every single one of those days because it is a gift and it is a choice I’ve
it is a gift and it is a choice I’ve
it is a gift and it is a choice I’ve made the choice to make the most of my
made the choice to make the most of my
made the choice to make the most of my life and I and I really hope me coming
life and I and I really hope me coming
life and I and I really hope me coming here and talking today has got you
here and talking today has got you
here and talking today has got you thinking about some of those things in
thinking about some of those things in
thinking about some of those things in your own lives you’ve always talked
your own lives you’ve always talked
your own lives you’ve always talked about doing and dreamt about doing and
about doing and dreamt about doing and
about doing and dreamt about doing and you know just get out there and make the
you know just get out there and make the
you know just get out there and make the most of it and I finally I just want to
most of it and I finally I just want to
most of it and I finally I just want to thank
thank
thank thank you all very much for for having
thank you all very much for for having
thank you all very much for for having me here today
me here today
me here today and I wish you all the best thank you
”
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