if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it is that nothing is permanent
life it is that nothing is permanent
life it is that nothing is permanent things happen and things change and
things happen and things change and
things happen and things change and because of this we’ll all have to face
because of this we’ll all have to face
because of this we’ll all have to face new beginnings over and over whether we
new beginnings over and over whether we
new beginnings over and over whether we like it or not after the tyre attack we
like it or not after the tyre attack we
like it or not after the tyre attack we were rescued I was taken to a hotel
were rescued I was taken to a hotel
were rescued I was taken to a hotel nearby
nearby
nearby I was one of the last people to arrive
I was one of the last people to arrive
I was one of the last people to arrive and some of us have been there for hours
and some of us have been there for hours
and some of us have been there for hours already walking off the bus were metas
already walking off the bus were metas
already walking off the bus were metas were hundreds of people crying in shock
were hundreds of people crying in shock
were hundreds of people crying in shock scared there were scenes of broken
scared there were scenes of broken
scared there were scenes of broken hearts and the person they were waiting
hearts and the person they were waiting
hearts and the person they were waiting for did not get off the bus there were
for did not get off the bus there were
for did not get off the bus there were scenes of joy when people ran towards
scenes of joy when people ran towards
scenes of joy when people ran towards the screaming I thought you were dead
the screaming I thought you were dead
the screaming I thought you were dead the families of the 564 children on the
the families of the 564 children on the
the families of the 564 children on the island started to arrive from all over
island started to arrive from all over
island started to arrive from all over Norway and at 4 a.m.
Norway and at 4 a.m.
Norway and at 4 a.m. my family finally arrived just minutes
my family finally arrived just minutes
my family finally arrived just minutes later the police announced that they
later the police announced that they
later the police announced that they thought around 80 people were killed on
thought around 80 people were killed on
thought around 80 people were killed on the island we tried to come for each
the island we tried to come for each
the island we tried to come for each other the best way we could but it was
other the best way we could but it was
other the best way we could but it was unbearable then my mom remembers me
unbearable then my mom remembers me
unbearable then my mom remembers me saying I feel so sorry for all those
saying I feel so sorry for all those
saying I feel so sorry for all those people have never lost anyone before
people have never lost anyone before
people have never lost anyone before they don’t know that the Sun will rise
they don’t know that the Sun will rise
they don’t know that the Sun will rise again tomorrow morning and let one day
again tomorrow morning and let one day
again tomorrow morning and let one day we will smile again because even in the
we will smile again because even in the
we will smile again because even in the darkest of hours I knew that even though
darkest of hours I knew that even though
darkest of hours I knew that even though life will never be the same we will find
life will never be the same we will find
life will never be the same we will find a new normal my first experience with
a new normal my first experience with
a new normal my first experience with loss was at the age of 7 when my uncle
loss was at the age of 7 when my uncle
loss was at the age of 7 when my uncle drowned then a couple years later my
drowned then a couple years later my
drowned then a couple years later my grandfather died of cancer then when I
grandfather died of cancer then when I
grandfather died of cancer then when I was 12 my dad drowned while I was out
was 12 my dad drowned while I was out
was 12 my dad drowned while I was out fishing the same day someone said to me
fishing the same day someone said to me
fishing the same day someone said to me Lisa you will be angry you will feel
Lisa you will be angry you will feel
Lisa you will be angry you will feel that life is unfair but this will only
that life is unfair but this will only
that life is unfair but this will only make you stronger it will not break you
make you stronger it will not break you
make you stronger it will not break you if you refuse to be broken and I
if you refuse to be broken and I
if you refuse to be broken and I actually thought that I would never
actually thought that I would never
actually thought that I would never smile again after my dad died but you do
smile again after my dad died but you do
smile again after my dad died but you do you keep on living the best way you can
you keep on living the best way you can
you keep on living the best way you can in my life after all that loss turned
in my life after all that loss turned
in my life after all that loss turned out to be a great one I went on to do
out to be a great one I went on to do
out to be a great one I went on to do very well in school and great friends I
very well in school and great friends I
very well in school and great friends I was active in politics I was the head of
was active in politics I was the head of
was active in politics I was the head of the student council and I traveled a lot
the student council and I traveled a lot
the student council and I traveled a lot and I was generally very happy and then
and I was generally very happy and then
and I was generally very happy and then when I finished high school I got a job
when I finished high school I got a job
when I finished high school I got a job where one of my responsibilities was to
where one of my responsibilities was to
where one of my responsibilities was to work on the annual summer camp on the
work on the annual summer camp on the
work on the annual summer camp on the island of ETA eta is a stunningly
island of ETA eta is a stunningly
island of ETA eta is a stunningly beautiful island it’s a place for young
beautiful island it’s a place for young
beautiful island it’s a place for young people to discuss politics but most
people to discuss politics but most
people to discuss politics but most importantly it’s a place to make new
importantly it’s a place to make new
importantly it’s a place to make new friends have fun and enjoy summer after
friends have fun and enjoy summer after
friends have fun and enjoy summer after the bomb went off in Oslo I called my
the bomb went off in Oslo I called my
the bomb went off in Oslo I called my mom and the first thing she said was I
mom and the first thing she said was I
mom and the first thing she said was I think you guys are the next target
think you guys are the next target
think you guys are the next target seconds later I heard something that
seconds later I heard something that
seconds later I heard something that sounded like fireworks and a huge group
sounded like fireworks and a huge group
sounded like fireworks and a huge group of people came running towards me I
of people came running towards me I
of people came running towards me I freaked out and we started to run
freaked out and we started to run
freaked out and we started to run through the forest this little cabin
through the forest this little cabin
through the forest this little cabin where I knew we could hide we rushed in
where I knew we could hide we rushed in
where I knew we could hide we rushed in and then the shock just overwhelmed me
and then the shock just overwhelmed me
and then the shock just overwhelmed me if you’ve never been in shock before
if you’ve never been in shock before
if you’ve never been in shock before it’s absolutely nuts knowing that people
it’s absolutely nuts knowing that people
it’s absolutely nuts knowing that people being shot outside all I could think
being shot outside all I could think
being shot outside all I could think about all of a sudden was where the heck
about all of a sudden was where the heck
about all of a sudden was where the heck did I leave my handbag did I leave it
did I leave my handbag did I leave it
did I leave my handbag did I leave it out in the rain just now could someone
out in the rain just now could someone
out in the rain just now could someone steal it and I kept asking people do you
steal it and I kept asking people do you
steal it and I kept asking people do you think people will steal my bag and
think people will steal my bag and
think people will steal my bag and they’re like what so I did what all
they’re like what so I did what all
they’re like what so I did what all non-rational people were doing this
non-rational people were doing this
non-rational people were doing this search situation I ran straight back out
search situation I ran straight back out
search situation I ran straight back out into the forest the people in the cabin
into the forest the people in the cabin
into the forest the people in the cabin yelled if you lean now we’ll lock this
yelled if you lean now we’ll lock this
yelled if you lean now we’ll lock this door and you have to find somewhere else
door and you have to find somewhere else
door and you have to find somewhere else to hide then a girl came running with
to hide then a girl came running with
to hide then a girl came running with her arm up in the air screaming I’ve
her arm up in the air screaming I’ve
her arm up in the air screaming I’ve been shot I’ve been shot so I followed
been shot I’ve been shot so I followed
been shot I’ve been shot so I followed her back into the cabin and they walked
her back into the cabin and they walked
her back into the cabin and they walked at door behind us this picture is
at door behind us this picture is
at door behind us this picture is actually taking during the tyre attack
actually taking during the tyre attack
actually taking during the tyre attack inside the cabin and once we got inside
inside the cabin and once we got inside
inside the cabin and once we got inside or we could do what was just wait where
or we could do what was just wait where
or we could do what was just wait where we’re listening to the gunshots then
we’re listening to the gunshots then
we’re listening to the gunshots then suddenly we heard from the outside
suddenly we heard from the outside
suddenly we heard from the outside police open the door and someone shot
police open the door and someone shot
police open the door and someone shot through the window we all thought he got
through the window we all thought he got
through the window we all thought he got in and we said goodbye to each other
in and we said goodbye to each other
in and we said goodbye to each other but nothing happened he left and he kept
but nothing happened he left and he kept
but nothing happened he left and he kept shooting somewhere else
shooting somewhere else
shooting somewhere else shooting went on for over one and a half
shooting went on for over one and a half
shooting went on for over one and a half hours and then I just got silent after
hours and then I just got silent after
hours and then I just got silent after two hours someone broke down the door to
two hours someone broke down the door to
two hours someone broke down the door to the cabin and stormed it we didn’t know
the cabin and stormed it we didn’t know
the cabin and stormed it we didn’t know that they were there to save us and they
that they were there to save us and they
that they were there to save us and they didn’t know if we were all dead or taken
didn’t know if we were all dead or taken
didn’t know if we were all dead or taken hostage some of us were so exhausted at
hostage some of us were so exhausted at
hostage some of us were so exhausted at this point and shouted just kill us
this point and shouted just kill us
this point and shouted just kill us already we’re done but they were
already we’re done but they were
already we’re done but they were actually there to rescue us after three
actually there to rescue us after three
actually there to rescue us after three hours inside the cabin
hours inside the cabin
hours inside the cabin we were finally evacuated the police
we were finally evacuated the police
we were finally evacuated the police told us to run down to the docks with
told us to run down to the docks with
told us to run down to the docks with her hands on her head and to look down
her hands on her head and to look down
her hands on her head and to look down they didn’t want us to see the results
they didn’t want us to see the results
they didn’t want us to see the results of the shooting because we’re dead and
of the shooting because we’re dead and
of the shooting because we’re dead and injured people everywhere I was still in
injured people everywhere I was still in
injured people everywhere I was still in shock at this point and I saw a guy shot
shock at this point and I saw a guy shot
shock at this point and I saw a guy shot Roos I screaming in pain blood
Roos I screaming in pain blood
Roos I screaming in pain blood everywhere I remember thinking oh poor
everywhere I remember thinking oh poor
everywhere I remember thinking oh poor guy he fell in a bucket of bread paint
guy he fell in a bucket of bread paint
guy he fell in a bucket of bread paint and I’ve keep running and he actually
and I’ve keep running and he actually
and I’ve keep running and he actually survived a boat came and took us over to
survived a boat came and took us over to
survived a boat came and took us over to the mainland and what met us for at
the mainland and what met us for at
the mainland and what met us for at least 10 dead people covered in blankets
least 10 dead people covered in blankets
least 10 dead people covered in blankets the reality of the shooting just hit us
the reality of the shooting just hit us
the reality of the shooting just hit us all in the face and people fell to their
all in the face and people fell to their
all in the face and people fell to their knees and cried we had to walk past the
knees and cried we had to walk past the
knees and cried we had to walk past the bodies on the shore I remember trying to
bodies on the shore I remember trying to
bodies on the shore I remember trying to recognize the shoes in case there were
recognize the shoes in case there were
recognize the shoes in case there were any of our friends lying there dead many
any of our friends lying there dead many
any of our friends lying there dead many of my closest friends around that Island
of my closest friends around that Island
of my closest friends around that Island that day and not all of them came back
that day and not all of them came back
that day and not all of them came back we actually had to choose which funerals
we actually had to choose which funerals
we actually had to choose which funerals to go to because were too many on the
to go to because were too many on the
to go to because were too many on the same day I spoke up my friend’s funeral
same day I spoke up my friend’s funeral
same day I spoke up my friend’s funeral and then I had to rush out before it was
and then I had to rush out before it was
and then I had to rush out before it was over to be able to attend my best
over to be able to attend my best
over to be able to attend my best friend’s funeral I still struggled to
friend’s funeral I still struggled to
friend’s funeral I still struggled to understand have someone so important so
understand have someone so important so
understand have someone so important so clever amazing kind can be taken away
clever amazing kind can be taken away
clever amazing kind can be taken away with only one single bullet to the head
with only one single bullet to the head
with only one single bullet to the head but only those forgotten can truly be
but only those forgotten can truly be
but only those forgotten can truly be gone and today I try to live
gone and today I try to live
gone and today I try to live my life the best way possible in memory
my life the best way possible in memory
my life the best way possible in memory and honor of those were not allowed to
and honor of those were not allowed to
and honor of those were not allowed to live theirs after seeing a lot of
live theirs after seeing a lot of
live theirs after seeing a lot of different psychologists after the terror
different psychologists after the terror
different psychologists after the terror attack I was diagnosed with
attack I was diagnosed with
attack I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and PTSD
post-traumatic stress disorder and PTSD
post-traumatic stress disorder and PTSD hits everyone differently when Mead
hits everyone differently when Mead
hits everyone differently when Mead started with horrible nightmares then I
started with horrible nightmares then I
started with horrible nightmares then I could have flashbacks during the day
could have flashbacks during the day
could have flashbacks during the day that the last minutes at a time oh this
that the last minutes at a time oh this
that the last minutes at a time oh this made me so tired that I fell asleep
made me so tired that I fell asleep
made me so tired that I fell asleep everywhere even at work during meetings
everywhere even at work during meetings
everywhere even at work during meetings at parties because you feel everything
at parties because you feel everything
at parties because you feel everything you do is just on autopilot I was
you do is just on autopilot I was
you do is just on autopilot I was observing my life go by but I have no
observing my life go by but I have no
observing my life go by but I have no involvement in it whatsoever I was
involvement in it whatsoever I was
involvement in it whatsoever I was existing but I wasn’t living I lost the
existing but I wasn’t living I lost the
existing but I wasn’t living I lost the ability to track things and plan and my
ability to track things and plan and my
ability to track things and plan and my insurance company emailed me and said
insurance company emailed me and said
insurance company emailed me and said that they would give me ten thousand
that they would give me ten thousand
that they would give me ten thousand pounds all I had to do was give me give
pounds all I had to do was give me give
pounds all I had to do was give me give them my bank details I couldn’t do it
them my bank details I couldn’t do it
them my bank details I couldn’t do it they called again and said we just need
they called again and said we just need
they called again and said we just need your bank details
your bank details
your bank details I couldn’t physically gather the energy
I couldn’t physically gather the energy
I couldn’t physically gather the energy to do it the third time I said we won’t
to do it the third time I said we won’t
to do it the third time I said we won’t contact you again and my mom helped me
contact you again and my mom helped me
contact you again and my mom helped me because nothing feels important anymore
because nothing feels important anymore
because nothing feels important anymore you lose interest in everything because
you lose interest in everything because
you lose interest in everything because you see my friends go off the university
you see my friends go off the university
you see my friends go off the university and have fun I couldn’t stand them
and have fun I couldn’t stand them
and have fun I couldn’t stand them anymore in their perfect lives but you
anymore in their perfect lives but you
anymore in their perfect lives but you get used to the symptoms after a while
get used to the symptoms after a while
get used to the symptoms after a while and you just live with them slowly I
and you just live with them slowly I
and you just live with them slowly I adapted to going back to my old life
adapted to going back to my old life
adapted to going back to my old life I got a job I bought an apartment I was
I got a job I bought an apartment I was
I got a job I bought an apartment I was a leader of a political party I run an
a leader of a political party I run an
a leader of a political party I run an election campaign I was on the City
election campaign I was on the City
election campaign I was on the City Council I ran for mayor at one point but
Council I ran for mayor at one point but
Council I ran for mayor at one point but I was just deeply unhappy and sick at
I was just deeply unhappy and sick at
I was just deeply unhappy and sick at PTSD I was depressed I had anxiety and I
PTSD I was depressed I had anxiety and I
PTSD I was depressed I had anxiety and I was in so much physical pain in the end
was in so much physical pain in the end
was in so much physical pain in the end I was doing so much that wasn’t able to
I was doing so much that wasn’t able to
I was doing so much that wasn’t able to do anything
and one day I just fell apart I went on
and one day I just fell apart I went on sick leave I gave up on politics I quit
sick leave I gave up on politics I quit
sick leave I gave up on politics I quit everything I was sicker now in 2013 than
everything I was sicker now in 2013 than
everything I was sicker now in 2013 than ever before
ever before
ever before my biggest goal at this point was to be
my biggest goal at this point was to be
my biggest goal at this point was to be on sick leave and benefits forever the
on sick leave and benefits forever the
on sick leave and benefits forever the first step in the right direction was to
first step in the right direction was to
first step in the right direction was to accept that I was struggling and that I
accept that I was struggling and that I
accept that I was struggling and that I needed help someone put me in contact
needed help someone put me in contact
needed help someone put me in contact with the Center for complex disorders
with the Center for complex disorders
with the Center for complex disorders and I started to go twice a week I was
and I started to go twice a week I was
and I started to go twice a week I was diagnosed with a widespread muscle
diagnosed with a widespread muscle
diagnosed with a widespread muscle disorder post-traumatic stress disorder
disorder post-traumatic stress disorder
disorder post-traumatic stress disorder again and depression the road to
again and depression the road to
again and depression the road to recovery was long and I kept going for
recovery was long and I kept going for
recovery was long and I kept going for over a year and to address issues far
over a year and to address issues far
over a year and to address issues far out of my comfort zone but it was good
out of my comfort zone but it was good
out of my comfort zone but it was good to finally be honest because when I
to finally be honest because when I
to finally be honest because when I started I was so angry and I was so so
started I was so angry and I was so so
started I was so angry and I was so so so tired of everything I wanted to feel
so tired of everything I wanted to feel
so tired of everything I wanted to feel sorry for myself and to be a victim
sorry for myself and to be a victim
sorry for myself and to be a victim because that way no one could expect
because that way no one could expect
because that way no one could expect anything from me I was able to
anything from me I was able to
anything from me I was able to understand that I couldn’t be defined by
understand that I couldn’t be defined by
understand that I couldn’t be defined by one single event I was more than just a
one single event I was more than just a
one single event I was more than just a tire attack victim I also realized that
tire attack victim I also realized that
tire attack victim I also realized that I was telling people that I was fine
I was telling people that I was fine
I was telling people that I was fine also doing it for my own sake but
also doing it for my own sake but
also doing it for my own sake but because I thought most people they don’t
because I thought most people they don’t
because I thought most people they don’t really want the truth but life is
really want the truth but life is
really want the truth but life is difficult life is hard and sometimes
difficult life is hard and sometimes
difficult life is hard and sometimes it’s bloody miserable why do we keep
it’s bloody miserable why do we keep
it’s bloody miserable why do we keep covering it up I started to tell the
covering it up I started to tell the
covering it up I started to tell the truth without being too negative I’m not
truth without being too negative I’m not
truth without being too negative I’m not doing well at the moment but I’m working
doing well at the moment but I’m working
doing well at the moment but I’m working on it I was even open in the media about
on it I was even open in the media about
on it I was even open in the media about it and the reactions I got back was
it and the reactions I got back was
it and the reactions I got back was incredible people were thanking me for
incredible people were thanking me for
incredible people were thanking me for being open for being strong for being
being open for being strong for being
being open for being strong for being able to say what they couldn’t because
able to say what they couldn’t because
able to say what they couldn’t because why is it that it’s so difficult to talk
why is it that it’s so difficult to talk
why is it that it’s so difficult to talk about mental illness you have a physical
about mental illness you have a physical
about mental illness you have a physical health we have a mental health it’s all
health we have a mental health it’s all
health we have a mental health it’s all part of human life you and Prince Harry
part of human life you and Prince Harry
part of human life you and Prince Harry and the royal family has just admitted
and the royal family has just admitted
and the royal family has just admitted that they have a mental health think
that they have a mental health think
that they have a mental health think we should be able to do it too after
we should be able to do it too after
we should be able to do it too after entire attack in Norway we changed a
entire attack in Norway we changed a
entire attack in Norway we changed a generation started to be more open about
generation started to be more open about
generation started to be more open about the scars that no one could see but a
the scars that no one could see but a
the scars that no one could see but a lot of us got told just get over it
lot of us got told just get over it
lot of us got told just get over it already
already
already it’s not like you actually got hurt and
it’s not like you actually got hurt and
it’s not like you actually got hurt and that is the mentality when it comes to
that is the mentality when it comes to
that is the mentality when it comes to mental health problems or you can’t see
mental health problems or you can’t see
mental health problems or you can’t see doesn’t really exist but with openness
doesn’t really exist but with openness
doesn’t really exist but with openness comes understanding and with
comes understanding and with
comes understanding and with understanding is easier not to feel
understanding is easier not to feel
understanding is easier not to feel isolated because in isolation
isolated because in isolation
isolated because in isolation everything seems worse because you think
everything seems worse because you think
everything seems worse because you think you’re alone but you’re not and after I
you’re alone but you’re not and after I
you’re alone but you’re not and after I was starting to be open people were
was starting to be open people were
was starting to be open people were rooting for me to get better and the
rooting for me to get better and the
rooting for me to get better and the help for my friends and family pushed me
help for my friends and family pushed me
help for my friends and family pushed me in the right direction and I knew that
in the right direction and I knew that
in the right direction and I knew that we can always blame things outside of
we can always blame things outside of
we can always blame things outside of ourselves for the parts of our life we
ourselves for the parts of our life we
ourselves for the parts of our life we don’t like I could live in misery for
don’t like I could live in misery for
don’t like I could live in misery for the rest of my life and feel sorry for
the rest of my life and feel sorry for
the rest of my life and feel sorry for myself but for what I knew that I had to
myself but for what I knew that I had to
myself but for what I knew that I had to let go of the past to be able to embrace
let go of the past to be able to embrace
let go of the past to be able to embrace the future and it started with small
the future and it started with small
the future and it started with small things I just focused on why you used to
things I just focused on why you used to
things I just focused on why you used to make me happy in the past and I did more
make me happy in the past and I did more
make me happy in the past and I did more of that I used to love sunsets and
of that I used to love sunsets and
of that I used to love sunsets and travelling and animals volunteer work
travelling and animals volunteer work
travelling and animals volunteer work cooking concerts especially Bruce
cooking concerts especially Bruce
cooking concerts especially Bruce Springsteen concerts and it’s the nature
Springsteen concerts and it’s the nature
Springsteen concerts and it’s the nature and I tried to fill my days with things
and I tried to fill my days with things
and I tried to fill my days with things that I knew would make me happy it could
that I knew would make me happy it could
that I knew would make me happy it could be very small things like hanging out
be very small things like hanging out
be very small things like hanging out with baby goats which is my favorite
with baby goats which is my favorite
with baby goats which is my favorite thing in the world it could be cooking a
thing in the world it could be cooking a
thing in the world it could be cooking a nice meal for a friend or go for a
nice meal for a friend or go for a
nice meal for a friend or go for a lovely walk or it could be bigger things
lovely walk or it could be bigger things
lovely walk or it could be bigger things that would end up on my bucket list over
that would end up on my bucket list over
that would end up on my bucket list over the hundred things I wanted to do before
the hundred things I wanted to do before
the hundred things I wanted to do before I died and I knew that a lot of these
I died and I knew that a lot of these
I died and I knew that a lot of these things would take years to accomplish
things would take years to accomplish
things would take years to accomplish and some of them might never happen but
and some of them might never happen but
and some of them might never happen but at least it kept pushing me in the right
at least it kept pushing me in the right
at least it kept pushing me in the right direction and I think it helped because
direction and I think it helped because
direction and I think it helped because I’m currently having my own TEDx talk
I’m currently having my own TEDx talk
I’m currently having my own TEDx talk which is on that bucket list and I
which is on that bucket list and I
which is on that bucket list and I started to work on my book last year
started to work on my book last year
started to work on my book last year which I hopefully will finish one day
which I hopefully will finish one day
which I hopefully will finish one day and I’ve been traveling a lot and I’ve
and I’ve been traveling a lot and I’ve
and I’ve been traveling a lot and I’ve tried to do new things
tried to do new things
tried to do new things I went hot-air ballooning it’s
I went hot-air ballooning it’s
I went hot-air ballooning it’s incredible
incredible
incredible and I’ve always wanted to take my
and I’ve always wanted to take my
and I’ve always wanted to take my siblings alone on a holiday
siblings alone on a holiday
siblings alone on a holiday and we made that happen and they don’t
and we made that happen and they don’t
and we made that happen and they don’t know that I’m using this picture today
know that I’m using this picture today
know that I’m using this picture today you’re welcome guys it’s gonna be here
you’re welcome guys it’s gonna be here
you’re welcome guys it’s gonna be here forever
forever
forever and then after visiting several
and then after visiting several
and then after visiting several countries including the United States
countries including the United States
countries including the United States and seeing him like 20 times it was
and seeing him like 20 times it was
and seeing him like 20 times it was finally my turn to get up on stage with
finally my turn to get up on stage with
finally my turn to get up on stage with the boss himself and that was a massive
the boss himself and that was a massive
the boss himself and that was a massive dream come true being next to Bruce
dream come true being next to Bruce
dream come true being next to Bruce jumping and dancing is just incredible
jumping and dancing is just incredible
jumping and dancing is just incredible and now I’m here in San Andres and that
and now I’m here in San Andres and that
and now I’m here in San Andres and that is very special to me because after the
is very special to me because after the
is very special to me because after the terror attack
terror attack
terror attack I wasn’t evil even able to read a book I
I wasn’t evil even able to read a book I
I wasn’t evil even able to read a book I tried you to go back to university twice
tried you to go back to university twice
tried you to go back to university twice but failed and I never thought that I
but failed and I never thought that I
but failed and I never thought that I would be able to study again but my
would be able to study again but my
would be able to study again but my boyfriend believed in me and now I’m
boyfriend believed in me and now I’m
boyfriend believed in me and now I’m here and it’s so incredible but just
here and it’s so incredible but just
here and it’s so incredible but just because he got back on the horse once
because he got back on the horse once
because he got back on the horse once doesn’t mean that it’s easy to stay on
doesn’t mean that it’s easy to stay on
doesn’t mean that it’s easy to stay on it
it
it I still don’t cope well with stress I
I still don’t cope well with stress I
I still don’t cope well with stress I need more time on my exams and my
need more time on my exams and my
need more time on my exams and my assignment and sometimes I get really
assignment and sometimes I get really
assignment and sometimes I get really upset and down because it looks so easy
upset and down because it looks so easy
upset and down because it looks so easy for everyone else here then I remind
for everyone else here then I remind
for everyone else here then I remind myself that all the matters in the end
myself that all the matters in the end
myself that all the matters in the end is that I’m happy and then I’m trying my
is that I’m happy and then I’m trying my
is that I’m happy and then I’m trying my best and it’s hard work to stay happy
best and it’s hard work to stay happy
best and it’s hard work to stay happy and healthy but it’s worth it a hero of
and healthy but it’s worth it a hero of
and healthy but it’s worth it a hero of mine was always very good at staying
mine was always very good at staying
mine was always very good at staying positive and making the most out of life
positive and making the most out of life
positive and making the most out of life my step-brother was diagnosed with brain
my step-brother was diagnosed with brain
my step-brother was diagnosed with brain cancer back in 2011 and he used to love
cancer back in 2011 and he used to love
cancer back in 2011 and he used to love skiing and hunting and playing football
skiing and hunting and playing football
skiing and hunting and playing football playing the guitar so when half his body
playing the guitar so when half his body
playing the guitar so when half his body got paralyzed he didn’t feel sorry for
got paralyzed he didn’t feel sorry for
got paralyzed he didn’t feel sorry for himself or stop living instead he made a
himself or stop living instead he made a
himself or stop living instead he made a device so he could go hunting with one
device so he could go hunting with one
device so he could go hunting with one arm he started playing the keyboard
arm he started playing the keyboard
arm he started playing the keyboard instead of the guitar he altered his car
instead of the guitar he altered his car
instead of the guitar he altered his car so he could still drive he was never
so he could still drive he was never
so he could still drive he was never defeated by what life threw at him
defeated by what life threw at him
defeated by what life threw at him instead he just kept on pushing
instead he just kept on pushing
instead he just kept on pushing looked at it and new beginnings and
looked at it and new beginnings and
looked at it and new beginnings and because of this we never saw him as
because of this we never saw him as
because of this we never saw him as being sick or different he died first of
being sick or different he died first of
being sick or different he died first of January this year and it’s heartbreaking
January this year and it’s heartbreaking
January this year and it’s heartbreaking it’s unfair but he taught me that you
it’s unfair but he taught me that you
it’s unfair but he taught me that you may not be able to control what happen
may not be able to control what happen
may not be able to control what happen in life we can always control how you
in life we can always control how you
in life we can always control how you respond to it and that is this legacy
I’m going to skip out a really bad hand
I’m going to skip out a really bad hand in life and have to experience a lot of
in life and have to experience a lot of
in life and have to experience a lot of bad days I can choose to worry about
bad days I can choose to worry about
bad days I can choose to worry about another terror attack happening or
another terror attack happening or
another terror attack happening or another family member dying but I have
another family member dying but I have
another family member dying but I have no control over it every day when I wake
no control over it every day when I wake
no control over it every day when I wake up I choose to not be scared and not be
up I choose to not be scared and not be
up I choose to not be scared and not be angry even though I have a lot of
angry even though I have a lot of
angry even though I have a lot of reasons to I don’t ignore or minimize
reasons to I don’t ignore or minimize
reasons to I don’t ignore or minimize the hardship of the world but neither do
the hardship of the world but neither do
the hardship of the world but neither do I allow it to dominate and I can never
I allow it to dominate and I can never
I allow it to dominate and I can never recall being more happy than I am right
recall being more happy than I am right
recall being more happy than I am right now in this moment it’s not because my
now in this moment it’s not because my
now in this moment it’s not because my life has been perfect and carefree no
life has been perfect and carefree no
life has been perfect and carefree no it’s because I made a deliberate choice
it’s because I made a deliberate choice
it’s because I made a deliberate choice to be happy life is just a set of new
to be happy life is just a set of new
to be happy life is just a set of new beginnings but the outcome of these
beginnings but the outcome of these
beginnings but the outcome of these beginnings are entirely up to ourselves
beginnings are entirely up to ourselves
beginnings are entirely up to ourselves thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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