we are a nation of drinkers and no one asks why no one bats an eye do we ever
asks why no one bats an eye do we ever
asks why no one bats an eye do we ever stop to look at the harm or the effect
stop to look at the harm or the effect
stop to look at the harm or the effect on society as a whole our drinkin nation
on society as a whole our drinkin nation
on society as a whole our drinkin nation is not age-specific
is not age-specific
is not age-specific in fact if you have not been binge drink
in fact if you have not been binge drink
in fact if you have not been binge drink and at some stage in your life I would
and at some stage in your life I would
and at some stage in your life I would question your nationality do we question
question your nationality do we question
question your nationality do we question the harsh words that may have passed our
the harsh words that may have passed our
the harsh words that may have passed our lips sleeping with someone we shouldn’t
lips sleeping with someone we shouldn’t
lips sleeping with someone we shouldn’t wishing we hadn’t knowing that we
wishing we hadn’t knowing that we
wishing we hadn’t knowing that we shouldn’t have that line of cocaine or
shouldn’t have that line of cocaine or
shouldn’t have that line of cocaine or the ecstasy tab we may have had more
the ecstasy tab we may have had more
the ecstasy tab we may have had more sense to refuse four pints or two Jager
sense to refuse four pints or two Jager
sense to refuse four pints or two Jager bombs ago we wake up and convince
bombs ago we wake up and convince
bombs ago we wake up and convince ourselves it wasn’t me
ourselves it wasn’t me
ourselves it wasn’t me I was drunk I love that statement I’ve
I was drunk I love that statement I’ve
I was drunk I love that statement I’ve had friends finish that sentence with
had friends finish that sentence with
had friends finish that sentence with I’m not going out with you anymore
I’m not going out with you anymore
I’m not going out with you anymore because you remember everything I really
because you remember everything I really
because you remember everything I really do feel it for the youth of today I was
do feel it for the youth of today I was
do feel it for the youth of today I was lucky enough to grow up with a Facebook
lucky enough to grow up with a Facebook
lucky enough to grow up with a Facebook snapchat and Instagram my teenage years
snapchat and Instagram my teenage years
snapchat and Instagram my teenage years when I played out like a West End show
when I played out like a West End show
when I played out like a West End show to millions via social media given my
to millions via social media given my
to millions via social media given my friends and peers every opportunity to
friends and peers every opportunity to
friends and peers every opportunity to publicly ridicule every fashion faux pas
publicly ridicule every fashion faux pas
publicly ridicule every fashion faux pas and bad hair day of which I’ve had many
and bad hair day of which I’ve had many
and bad hair day of which I’ve had many I do see the good in social media though
I do see the good in social media though
I do see the good in social media though we are now not only aware of a refugee
we are now not only aware of a refugee
we are now not only aware of a refugee crisis we have the face of a tiny
crisis we have the face of a tiny
crisis we have the face of a tiny five-year-old boys body washed up on a
five-year-old boys body washed up on a
five-year-old boys body washed up on a beach imprinted in our minds forever I’m
beach imprinted in our minds forever I’m
beach imprinted in our minds forever I’m not sure if you’ve seen this image but
not sure if you’ve seen this image but
not sure if you’ve seen this image but it’s one that I’ll never forget we also
it’s one that I’ll never forget we also
it’s one that I’ll never forget we also learn about new disorders through this
learn about new disorders through this
learn about new disorders through this wonderful platform such as amyotrophic
wonderful platform such as amyotrophic
wonderful platform such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis we complete ice bucket
lateral sclerosis we complete ice bucket
lateral sclerosis we complete ice bucket challenges in order to raise awareness
challenges in order to raise awareness
challenges in order to raise awareness and funds for the people affected when
and funds for the people affected when
and funds for the people affected when months later our youth are challenged to
months later our youth are challenged to
months later our youth are challenged to neck nominations which take their lives
neck nominations which take their lives
neck nominations which take their lives years after all the drinkin and the odd
years after all the drinkin and the odd
years after all the drinkin and the odd double and recreational drugs we end up
double and recreational drugs we end up
double and recreational drugs we end up not functioning properly
not functioning properly
not functioning properly we can’t think our minds are running at
we can’t think our minds are running at
we can’t think our minds are running at 90 miles an hour
90 miles an hour
90 miles an hour we can’t sleep suicidal thoughts creep
we can’t sleep suicidal thoughts creep
we can’t sleep suicidal thoughts creep in anxiety depression or worse can be
in anxiety depression or worse can be
in anxiety depression or worse can be diagnosed by your local GP we then
diagnosed by your local GP we then
diagnosed by your local GP we then revert to the new norm sleeping tablets
revert to the new norm sleeping tablets
revert to the new norm sleeping tablets antidepressants antipsychotics red wine
antidepressants antipsychotics red wine
antidepressants antipsychotics red wine midweek or suffering whatever helps you
midweek or suffering whatever helps you
midweek or suffering whatever helps you through
through
through but do they or are we just masking the
but do they or are we just masking the
but do they or are we just masking the problem or therapy counseling or
problem or therapy counseling or
problem or therapy counseling or meditation help ask yourself this of all
meditation help ask yourself this of all
meditation help ask yourself this of all the beautiful souls lost by our
the beautiful souls lost by our
the beautiful souls lost by our community to suicide how many had clear
community to suicide how many had clear
community to suicide how many had clear toxicology reports now let’s take it one
toxicology reports now let’s take it one
toxicology reports now let’s take it one step further have mental health issues
step further have mental health issues
step further have mental health issues or substance abuse of any kind touched
or substance abuse of any kind touched
or substance abuse of any kind touched their lives now let’s look at the
their lives now let’s look at the
their lives now let’s look at the services and how were run in this
services and how were run in this
services and how were run in this country if we were to complete a random
country if we were to complete a random
country if we were to complete a random drug test for legal and illegal
drug test for legal and illegal
drug test for legal and illegal substances in our government tomorrow
substances in our government tomorrow
substances in our government tomorrow how many of the people we employ to roam
how many of the people we employ to roam
how many of the people we employ to roam this country would pass I was helping a
this country would pass I was helping a
this country would pass I was helping a young guy in his early twenties only a
young guy in his early twenties only a
young guy in his early twenties only a few weeks ago he told me while unable to
few weeks ago he told me while unable to
few weeks ago he told me while unable to stand he was so drunk that he himself
stand he was so drunk that he himself
stand he was so drunk that he himself was suicidal he said he explained that
was suicidal he said he explained that
was suicidal he said he explained that he lost his best friend to suicide
he lost his best friend to suicide
he lost his best friend to suicide earlier this year and he said he just
earlier this year and he said he just
earlier this year and he said he just couldn’t understand why he said we just
couldn’t understand why he said we just
couldn’t understand why he said we just been on the best 10-day cocaine-fueled
been on the best 10-day cocaine-fueled
been on the best 10-day cocaine-fueled bender of our lives and that song that
bender of our lives and that song that
bender of our lives and that song that he spent searching for his friends buddy
he spent searching for his friends buddy
he spent searching for his friends buddy we as a nation are going through a
we as a nation are going through a
we as a nation are going through a mental health epidemic and I’m
mental health epidemic and I’m
mental health epidemic and I’m constantly asking why did you know we
constantly asking why did you know we
constantly asking why did you know we have between sixty and eighty thousand
have between sixty and eighty thousand
have between sixty and eighty thousand thoughts a day we are receiving 60,000
thoughts a day we are receiving 60,000
thoughts a day we are receiving 60,000 times more information that we did sixty
times more information that we did sixty
times more information that we did sixty years ago we have not yet evolved to
years ago we have not yet evolved to
years ago we have not yet evolved to contain such information and with the
contain such information and with the
contain such information and with the constant pressure to have the perfect
constant pressure to have the perfect
constant pressure to have the perfect relationship the perfect family the
relationship the perfect family the
relationship the perfect family the perfect career and all of which must be
perfect career and all of which must be
perfect career and all of which must be perfectly photographed and posted on
perfectly photographed and posted on
perfectly photographed and posted on social media to exist
social media to exist
social media to exist how are we to cope I wondered one day
how are we to cope I wondered one day
how are we to cope I wondered one day while tagging myself at the gym what I
while tagging myself at the gym what I
while tagging myself at the gym what I bore an equally the same amount of
bore an equally the same amount of
bore an equally the same amount of calories had I checked in or not then I
calories had I checked in or not then I
calories had I checked in or not then I looked at my mental and emotional states
looked at my mental and emotional states
looked at my mental and emotional states before and after checking in once I had
before and after checking in once I had
before and after checking in once I had placed that tag
placed that tag
placed that tag I felt like my workout was done are we
I felt like my workout was done are we
I felt like my workout was done are we living in existence based on social
living in existence based on social
living in existence based on social perception when we’re experienced in the
perception when we’re experienced in the
perception when we’re experienced in the most joyful moments of our lives are we
most joyful moments of our lives are we
most joyful moments of our lives are we really live in that joy or are we
really live in that joy or are we
really live in that joy or are we constantly thinkin how best to post this
constantly thinkin how best to post this
constantly thinkin how best to post this event we are losing intellect while
event we are losing intellect while
event we are losing intellect while gaining online intelligence we don’t
gaining online intelligence we don’t
gaining online intelligence we don’t think anymore
think anymore
think anymore we ask google we don’t create we check
we ask google we don’t create we check
we ask google we don’t create we check Pinterest and we just imitate something
Pinterest and we just imitate something
Pinterest and we just imitate something that already exists
that already exists
that already exists don’t be controlled by an online
don’t be controlled by an online
don’t be controlled by an online existence be yourself accept yourself
existence be yourself accept yourself
existence be yourself accept yourself get to know yourself I am NOT standing
get to know yourself I am NOT standing
get to know yourself I am NOT standing here declare and perfection far from I
here declare and perfection far from I
here declare and perfection far from I am NOT standing here in judgment the
am NOT standing here in judgment the
am NOT standing here in judgment the betterment of society with a hopeful
betterment of society with a hopeful
betterment of society with a hopeful wish my words may inspire choices in the
wish my words may inspire choices in the
wish my words may inspire choices in the decisions we have not yet made go
decisions we have not yet made go
decisions we have not yet made go outside to the beach the river the
outside to the beach the river the
outside to the beach the river the forest and just walk remove yourself
forest and just walk remove yourself
forest and just walk remove yourself from constant newsfeed sports results
from constant newsfeed sports results
from constant newsfeed sports results your PC your tablet your phone and just
your PC your tablet your phone and just
your PC your tablet your phone and just sit quietly until it becomes comfortable
sit quietly until it becomes comfortable
sit quietly until it becomes comfortable this may take a while but trust me
this may take a while but trust me
this may take a while but trust me serenity is worth it I would like to
serenity is worth it I would like to
serenity is worth it I would like to know perform for you my first piece of
know perform for you my first piece of
know perform for you my first piece of spoken word it’s called socially
spoken word it’s called socially
spoken word it’s called socially acceptable we drink or not thirsty no
acceptable we drink or not thirsty no
acceptable we drink or not thirsty no higher I’m sure I’m only 30 the alcohol
higher I’m sure I’m only 30 the alcohol
higher I’m sure I’m only 30 the alcohol has got me it wasn’t me last week last
has got me it wasn’t me last week last
has got me it wasn’t me last week last month are in July it’s not a lie it’s
month are in July it’s not a lie it’s
month are in July it’s not a lie it’s what we do on this Islands going neck
what we do on this Islands going neck
what we do on this Islands going neck Reckitt live the Boers live on what was
Reckitt live the Boers live on what was
Reckitt live the Boers live on what was once a life of simple heart smiles and
once a life of simple heart smiles and
once a life of simple heart smiles and laughter now filled with dark morning’s
laughter now filled with dark morning’s
laughter now filled with dark morning’s of sulfur Dean solutions launch time
of sulfur Dean solutions launch time
of sulfur Dean solutions launch time cures in Saturday night disaster
cures in Saturday night disaster
cures in Saturday night disaster midweek tipples turn into thursday tears
midweek tipples turn into thursday tears
midweek tipples turn into thursday tears rewind repeat fast forward some yokes
rewind repeat fast forward some yokes
rewind repeat fast forward some yokes shirts are a joke the mind can’t focus
shirts are a joke the mind can’t focus
shirts are a joke the mind can’t focus living in last week last month last
living in last week last month last
living in last week last month last decades regrets fear is taken over they
decades regrets fear is taken over they
decades regrets fear is taken over they say it’s depression I say it was a me
say it’s depression I say it was a me
say it’s depression I say it was a me last week last month or last year my
last week last month or last year my
last week last month or last year my blurred hearts became intoxicated
blurred hearts became intoxicated
blurred hearts became intoxicated actions did I choose this destiny of
actions did I choose this destiny of
actions did I choose this destiny of anxiety and confusion in my future I
anxiety and confusion in my future I
anxiety and confusion in my future I will worry for what I perceive may
will worry for what I perceive may
will worry for what I perceive may catastrophic ly happen the room is
catastrophic ly happen the room is
catastrophic ly happen the room is closing in I can’t breathe I want to
closing in I can’t breathe I want to
closing in I can’t breathe I want to leave I have arrived I feel my feet in
leave I have arrived I feel my feet in
leave I have arrived I feel my feet in the sand my breath in the moment my life
the sand my breath in the moment my life
the sand my breath in the moment my life is in my hands
is in my hands
is in my hands I see the sunlight and take in life’s
I see the sunlight and take in life’s
I see the sunlight and take in life’s pleasures it’s on me I’m 63 my life
pleasures it’s on me I’m 63 my life
pleasures it’s on me I’m 63 my life created me I haven’t paid from my voice
created me I haven’t paid from my voice
created me I haven’t paid from my voice I’ve taken all the good advice live in
I’ve taken all the good advice live in
I’ve taken all the good advice live in the moment feel your breath can be free
the moment feel your breath can be free
the moment feel your breath can be free but my Sonny needs me a dee dee lives a
but my Sonny needs me a dee dee lives a
but my Sonny needs me a dee dee lives a simple life lacks attention and order
simple life lacks attention and order
simple life lacks attention and order confused states of mind and laughter my
confused states of mind and laughter my
confused states of mind and laughter my grandson’s bipolar
grandson’s bipolar
grandson’s bipolar I lacked a life of trying to create
I lacked a life of trying to create
I lacked a life of trying to create world order or have my choices created a
world order or have my choices created a
world order or have my choices created a new disorder medication the new voice of
new disorder medication the new voice of
new disorder medication the new voice of this generation a world full of sedated
this generation a world full of sedated
this generation a world full of sedated Minds making decisions for a nation
Minds making decisions for a nation
Minds making decisions for a nation creative minds can draw the dole
creative minds can draw the dole
creative minds can draw the dole Google’s in control Wars make money and
Google’s in control Wars make money and
Google’s in control Wars make money and illness sells new visions created by
illness sells new visions created by
illness sells new visions created by genius minds and stolen by the Dragons
genius minds and stolen by the Dragons
genius minds and stolen by the Dragons with the money to do so step back fall
with the money to do so step back fall
with the money to do so step back fall forward
forward
forward watch yourself insure yourself your dog
watch yourself insure yourself your dog
watch yourself insure yourself your dog your life your car has you’ve been
your life your car has you’ve been
your life your car has you’ve been feared to do so fear what might happen
feared to do so fear what might happen
feared to do so fear what might happen it didn’t you aren’t he didn’t breathe
it didn’t you aren’t he didn’t breathe
it didn’t you aren’t he didn’t breathe into your own body and be free this is
into your own body and be free this is
into your own body and be free this is me
me
me I’m 23 no drink in my hand a hatred for
I’m 23 no drink in my hand a hatred for
I’m 23 no drink in my hand a hatred for drugs and a yearly list from my destiny
drugs and a yearly list from my destiny
drugs and a yearly list from my destiny fast cars lay bare as pure at heart
fast cars lay bare as pure at heart
fast cars lay bare as pure at heart smiles and laughter embarrassing moments
smiles and laughter embarrassing moments
smiles and laughter embarrassing moments I tried to forget sober tarts I won’t
I tried to forget sober tarts I won’t
I tried to forget sober tarts I won’t regret wisdom and sadness for what I’ve
regret wisdom and sadness for what I’ve
regret wisdom and sadness for what I’ve seen but I am keen luring her with a
seen but I am keen luring her with a
seen but I am keen luring her with a sixth sense I now understand the worlds
sixth sense I now understand the worlds
sixth sense I now understand the worlds in my hands I’d like to now tell you a
in my hands I’d like to now tell you a
in my hands I’d like to now tell you a little bit about where my inspiration
little bit about where my inspiration
little bit about where my inspiration originates from my name is Linda
originates from my name is Linda
originates from my name is Linda Sheridan I was born in 1982 the most
Sheridan I was born in 1982 the most
Sheridan I was born in 1982 the most loving family my mother is literally the
loving family my mother is literally the
loving family my mother is literally the most kindest caring given person you
most kindest caring given person you
most kindest caring given person you could ever meet
could ever meet
could ever meet you could ask my mom for an organ and
you could ask my mom for an organ and
you could ask my mom for an organ and she would say yes would ever question
she would say yes would ever question
she would say yes would ever question and force whether she needed or not
and force whether she needed or not
and force whether she needed or not herself to survive she passed this
herself to survive she passed this
herself to survive she passed this wonderful nature on to my brother we
wonderful nature on to my brother we
wonderful nature on to my brother we were brought up in tala in Dublin
were brought up in tala in Dublin
were brought up in tala in Dublin surrounded by the most Admiral admirable
surrounded by the most Admiral admirable
surrounded by the most Admiral admirable communities Ferris we didn’t have much
communities Ferris we didn’t have much
communities Ferris we didn’t have much but we had each other I was bullied a
but we had each other I was bullied a
but we had each other I was bullied a little in primary school and at 12 I
little in primary school and at 12 I
little in primary school and at 12 I went to secondary school with one
went to secondary school with one
went to secondary school with one mission to be popular I made some great
mission to be popular I made some great
mission to be popular I made some great friends that first year and to this day
friends that first year and to this day
friends that first year and to this day we are still close at 17 in my leave in
we are still close at 17 in my leave in
we are still close at 17 in my leave in search here my friend who had been
search here my friend who had been
search here my friend who had been failed by the mental health system ended
failed by the mental health system ended
failed by the mental health system ended up in prison for murder
up in prison for murder
up in prison for murder that was my first and only time to pass
that was my first and only time to pass
that was my first and only time to pass through the gates among joy prison I was
through the gates among joy prison I was
through the gates among joy prison I was searched and felt those gates closed
searched and felt those gates closed
searched and felt those gates closed behind me while in the visiting room
behind me while in the visiting room
behind me while in the visiting room surrounded by other prisoners I gave him
surrounded by other prisoners I gave him
surrounded by other prisoners I gave him the notes he needed to complete his
the notes he needed to complete his
the notes he needed to complete his leave insert while he showed me the
leave insert while he showed me the
leave insert while he showed me the wounds that were self-inflicted saying
wounds that were self-inflicted saying
wounds that were self-inflicted saying that what he felt was
that what he felt was
that what he felt was Harlem wasn’t real so many lives had
Harlem wasn’t real so many lives had
Harlem wasn’t real so many lives had been ruined forever
been ruined forever
been ruined forever at 18 I received another lesson I was
at 18 I received another lesson I was
at 18 I received another lesson I was involved in a traffic accident totally
involved in a traffic accident totally
involved in a traffic accident totally not my fault but as we live in this
not my fault but as we live in this
not my fault but as we live in this blame claim culture it was dragged
blame claim culture it was dragged
blame claim culture it was dragged through the courts I won both the civil
through the courts I won both the civil
through the courts I won both the civil and the criminal court cases but to this
and the criminal court cases but to this
and the criminal court cases but to this day I will never forget the absolute
day I will never forget the absolute
day I will never forget the absolute terror of being torn apart by that
terror of being torn apart by that
terror of being torn apart by that barrister as I stood in the witness box
after the court cases and delighted with
after the court cases and delighted with my eighth honours myself and my friends
my eighth honours myself and my friends
my eighth honours myself and my friends kind your typical leave in search
kind your typical leave in search
kind your typical leave in search results celebration two weeks in the
results celebration two weeks in the
results celebration two weeks in the Canaries while on holidays that
Canaries while on holidays that
Canaries while on holidays that following year I got really ill when I
following year I got really ill when I
following year I got really ill when I came home the illness persisted and my
came home the illness persisted and my
came home the illness persisted and my liver started to fail although the
liver started to fail although the
liver started to fail although the medical team didn’t quite know what was
medical team didn’t quite know what was
medical team didn’t quite know what was wrong with me they advised me not to
wrong with me they advised me not to
wrong with me they advised me not to consume a toxin for at least a year no
consume a toxin for at least a year no
consume a toxin for at least a year no alcohol not even a headache tablet I
alcohol not even a headache tablet I
alcohol not even a headache tablet I think my friends drank more in that year
think my friends drank more in that year
think my friends drank more in that year than they have done in any year since
than they have done in any year since
than they have done in any year since then 18 months later and with a full
then 18 months later and with a full
then 18 months later and with a full diagnosis from an American blood team I
diagnosis from an American blood team I
diagnosis from an American blood team I was given the good news I had now a
was given the good news I had now a
was given the good news I had now a fully functioning liver and permission
fully functioning liver and permission
fully functioning liver and permission to drink again that day I asked myself
to drink again that day I asked myself
to drink again that day I asked myself was they still first on the dance floor
was they still first on the dance floor
was they still first on the dance floor did I still get up and sing badly on the
did I still get up and sing badly on the
did I still get up and sing badly on the karaoke and the answer was yes I haven’t
karaoke and the answer was yes I haven’t
karaoke and the answer was yes I haven’t drank since and two months before my
drank since and two months before my
drank since and two months before my 21st birthday I moved into my very own
21st birthday I moved into my very own
21st birthday I moved into my very own three bed semi at 23 I got one of the
three bed semi at 23 I got one of the
three bed semi at 23 I got one of the greatest gifts I have ever received a
greatest gifts I have ever received a
greatest gifts I have ever received a little boy came to stay with us from an
little boy came to stay with us from an
little boy came to stay with us from an orphanage in Belarus he came to the
orphanage in Belarus he came to the
orphanage in Belarus he came to the Chernobyl aid Ireland charity under
Chernobyl aid Ireland charity under
Chernobyl aid Ireland charity under arrest and recuperation program he came
arrest and recuperation program he came
arrest and recuperation program he came to say for one month a Christmas and
to say for one month a Christmas and
to say for one month a Christmas and three months in the summer and I’m
three months in the summer and I’m
three months in the summer and I’m incredibly proud to say after a 10-year
incredibly proud to say after a 10-year
incredibly proud to say after a 10-year about 22 tearful gobias he is now 23 he
about 22 tearful gobias he is now 23 he
about 22 tearful gobias he is now 23 he is my son and he’s here in the audience
is my son and he’s here in the audience
is my son and he’s here in the audience tonight Vanya everyone
Vanya’s life would make a trilogy you
Vanya’s life would make a trilogy you would not believe to be based on a true
would not believe to be based on a true
would not believe to be based on a true life story when he was six at the hands
life story when he was six at the hands
life story when he was six at the hands of his alcoholic father he lost his
of his alcoholic father he lost his
of his alcoholic father he lost his mother his father served 10 years in
mother his father served 10 years in
mother his father served 10 years in prison and his brother served ace Vanya
prison and his brother served ace Vanya
prison and his brother served ace Vanya has taught me more than any formal
has taught me more than any formal
has taught me more than any formal education ever has done or will do in
education ever has done or will do in
education ever has done or will do in this lifetime imagine my excitement that
this lifetime imagine my excitement that
this lifetime imagine my excitement that first Christmas we had this little boy
first Christmas we had this little boy
first Christmas we had this little boy coming to say what else from the
coming to say what else from the
coming to say what else from the orphanage and I was going to give him
orphanage and I was going to give him
orphanage and I was going to give him everything I don’t think I slept for a
everything I don’t think I slept for a
everything I don’t think I slept for a week with excitement and on that
week with excitement and on that
week with excitement and on that Christmas morning you couldn’t see the
Christmas morning you couldn’t see the
Christmas morning you couldn’t see the carapace I rushed down to his bedroom
carapace I rushed down to his bedroom
carapace I rushed down to his bedroom woke him up brought him to the living
woke him up brought him to the living
woke him up brought him to the living room and I could have never predicted
room and I could have never predicted
room and I could have never predicted what was going to happen next he stood
what was going to happen next he stood
what was going to happen next he stood in the doorway the blood drained from
in the doorway the blood drained from
in the doorway the blood drained from his face he felt instantly sick and he
his face he felt instantly sick and he
his face he felt instantly sick and he ran I persisted and persisted that all
ran I persisted and persisted that all
ran I persisted and persisted that all the gifts were for him after much
the gifts were for him after much
the gifts were for him after much persistence he took one keyring and one
persistence he took one keyring and one
persistence he took one keyring and one small car it took me a long time to
small car it took me a long time to
small car it took me a long time to understand why but finally only had one
understand why but finally only had one
understand why but finally only had one pocket that Christmas morning and in his
pocket that Christmas morning and in his
pocket that Christmas morning and in his world possessions meant you were in
world possessions meant you were in
world possessions meant you were in danger there’s been so many lessons just
danger there’s been so many lessons just
danger there’s been so many lessons just like this one another time he came to
like this one another time he came to
like this one another time he came to the airport and to all the hugs and
the airport and to all the hugs and
the airport and to all the hugs and smiles and laughter I know is he had all
smiles and laughter I know is he had all
smiles and laughter I know is he had all these scratches on his face and when I
these scratches on his face and when I
these scratches on his face and when I asked him what had happened through our
asked him what had happened through our
asked him what had happened through our usual form of communication which was
usual form of communication which was
usual form of communication which was charades because we hadn’t got a
charades because we hadn’t got a
charades because we hadn’t got a language between us he explains that the
language between us he explains that the
language between us he explains that the girls had been given a responsibility to
girls had been given a responsibility to
girls had been given a responsibility to clean the boys bedroom block and there
clean the boys bedroom block and there
clean the boys bedroom block and there wasn’t enough two pushes to go around so
wasn’t enough two pushes to go around so
wasn’t enough two pushes to go around so the girls used to take all the
the girls used to take all the
the girls used to take all the toothbrushes and set the boys challenges
toothbrushes and set the boys challenges
toothbrushes and set the boys challenges to get the two pushes back that day I
to get the two pushes back that day I
to get the two pushes back that day I went to the local euro store and I
went to the local euro store and I
went to the local euro store and I bought every two push they had in order
bought every two push they had in order
bought every two push they had in order to try and stop these children trading
to try and stop these children trading
to try and stop these children trading to bushes like cigarettes in prison
to bushes like cigarettes in prison
to bushes like cigarettes in prison we’ve also had so many funny times so
we’ve also had so many funny times so
we’ve also had so many funny times so many moments of joy and laughter and one
many moments of joy and laughter and one
many moments of joy and laughter and one of my favorite stories that makes me
of my favorite stories that makes me
of my favorite stories that makes me smile to this day is our first trip to
smile to this day is our first trip to
smile to this day is our first trip to Tesco’s we arrived at the till trolley
Tesco’s we arrived at the till trolley
Tesco’s we arrived at the till trolley full of shopping and Vanya just could
full of shopping and Vanya just could
full of shopping and Vanya just could not understand how the Machine knew when
not understand how the Machine knew when
not understand how the Machine knew when to beep so he used to try and beat it
to beep so he used to try and beat it
to beep so he used to try and beat it so he’d beep and the tail would beep and
so he’d beep and the tail would beep and
so he’d beep and the tail would beep and he’d be
he’d be
he’d be finally played beat the beep for every
finally played beat the beep for every
finally played beat the beep for every trolley loaded shopping for three years
trolley loaded shopping for three years
trolley loaded shopping for three years what could I do I used to just stand
what could I do I used to just stand
what could I do I used to just stand there and smile you know how could I
there and smile you know how could I
there and smile you know how could I explain the situation I couldn’t even
explain the situation I couldn’t even
explain the situation I couldn’t even speak his language and I’m so incredibly
speak his language and I’m so incredibly
speak his language and I’m so incredibly proud of the young man that he’s become
proud of the young man that he’s become
proud of the young man that he’s become today
today
today he doesn’t wear his scars like a suit of
he doesn’t wear his scars like a suit of
he doesn’t wear his scars like a suit of armor he knows the true meaning of the
armor he knows the true meaning of the
armor he knows the true meaning of the word charity he goes around and tries to
word charity he goes around and tries to
word charity he goes around and tries to make everybody that’s around him smile
make everybody that’s around him smile
make everybody that’s around him smile and I am honored to have being part of
and I am honored to have being part of
and I am honored to have being part of his journey so far I’d like to know
his journey so far I’d like to know
his journey so far I’d like to know share with you my second piece of spoken
share with you my second piece of spoken
share with you my second piece of spoken word which is about our journey and it’s
word which is about our journey and it’s
word which is about our journey and it’s aptly named my son me I wrote a song
aptly named my son me I wrote a song
aptly named my son me I wrote a song when I was 33 was it all about me my
when I was 33 was it all about me my
when I was 33 was it all about me my life lessons are what it really meant to
life lessons are what it really meant to
life lessons are what it really meant to me life and understanding of this
me life and understanding of this
me life and understanding of this century I’m a hundred years why is yet
century I’m a hundred years why is yet
century I’m a hundred years why is yet I’m only 33 it all started when I was 23
I’m only 33 it all started when I was 23
I’m only 33 it all started when I was 23 or was it when I was only 3 my mom said
or was it when I was only 3 my mom said
or was it when I was only 3 my mom said to me think of all the babies you’ll
to me think of all the babies you’ll
to me think of all the babies you’ll have when you’re growing up like me
have when you’re growing up like me
have when you’re growing up like me my reply when I was 3 I’d have to save
my reply when I was 3 I’d have to save
my reply when I was 3 I’d have to save all the babies that are already here
all the babies that are already here
all the babies that are already here like me to be a mom just like you would
like me to be a mom just like you would
like me to be a mom just like you would a vision so clear and strong it was hard
a vision so clear and strong it was hard
a vision so clear and strong it was hard to get along old employers would
to get along old employers would
to get along old employers would recognize young friends would criticize
recognize young friends would criticize
recognize young friends would criticize and mock teenage years full of fears of
and mock teenage years full of fears of
and mock teenage years full of fears of fitting in I wasn’t young with a fear of
fitting in I wasn’t young with a fear of
fitting in I wasn’t young with a fear of fitting in I was different and hadn’t
fitting in I was different and hadn’t
fitting in I was different and hadn’t quite realized how much I was happy to
quite realized how much I was happy to
quite realized how much I was happy to stand out speak out look up and be
stand out speak out look up and be
stand out speak out look up and be counted
counted
counted change lives with a vision that
change lives with a vision that
change lives with a vision that astounded at 23 my true lesson came to
astounded at 23 my true lesson came to
astounded at 23 my true lesson came to me from Russia what loafie was sent to
me from Russia what loafie was sent to
me from Russia what loafie was sent to me he would be my best teacher in all of
me he would be my best teacher in all of
me he would be my best teacher in all of what life is meant to be he would surely
what life is meant to be he would surely
what life is meant to be he would surely connect with me connected by a soul
connect with me connected by a soul
connect with me connected by a soul which had passed away this was meant to
which had passed away this was meant to
which had passed away this was meant to be life of cruel torment and hatred
be life of cruel torment and hatred
be life of cruel torment and hatred should are from what is sacred
should are from what is sacred
should are from what is sacred lessons he had learned a teacher could
lessons he had learned a teacher could
lessons he had learned a teacher could not preach Lord of the Flies and reality
not preach Lord of the Flies and reality
not preach Lord of the Flies and reality could not teach loss of life strife a
could not teach loss of life strife a
could not teach loss of life strife a cruel tormented life you are here to me
cruel tormented life you are here to me
cruel tormented life you are here to me but yeah he didn’t appear to be 2 years
but yeah he didn’t appear to be 2 years
but yeah he didn’t appear to be 2 years of love life and laughter looking after
of love life and laughter looking after
of love life and laughter looking after no joy he would still not cry trust or
no joy he would still not cry trust or
no joy he would still not cry trust or rely a small hand from a cage a monkey
rely a small hand from a cage a monkey
rely a small hand from a cage a monkey he did engage one small hand to another
he did engage one small hand to another
he did engage one small hand to another pass the piece of Apple and the loss of
pass the piece of Apple and the loss of
pass the piece of Apple and the loss of a mother legs lost all power from within
a mother legs lost all power from within
a mother legs lost all power from within and from the heart not the emotions did
and from the heart not the emotions did
and from the heart not the emotions did begin from one small
begin from one small
begin from one small that wept over years gains strength and
that wept over years gains strength and
that wept over years gains strength and did grow being cherished and let go on
did grow being cherished and let go on
did grow being cherished and let go on this roller coaster we did go Airport
this roller coaster we did go Airport
this roller coaster we did go Airport tears a months of fears laughter filled
tears a months of fears laughter filled
tears a months of fears laughter filled so many Christmas years pocket-sized
so many Christmas years pocket-sized
so many Christmas years pocket-sized presents were hidden value two brushes
presents were hidden value two brushes
presents were hidden value two brushes were prison value lessons learned a let
were prison value lessons learned a let
were prison value lessons learned a let go through his teachings I did grow from
go through his teachings I did grow from
go through his teachings I did grow from the spirit world he was sent to me
the spirit world he was sent to me
the spirit world he was sent to me connected one mother to another in many
connected one mother to another in many
connected one mother to another in many ways he gave birth to me shall be my
ways he gave birth to me shall be my
ways he gave birth to me shall be my determination and who I was meant to be
determination and who I was meant to be
determination and who I was meant to be you are my son and were always meant to
you are my son and were always meant to
you are my son and were always meant to be sent by your birth motor now you have
be sent by your birth motor now you have
be sent by your birth motor now you have another and your hair with me thank you
another and your hair with me thank you
another and your hair with me thank you [Applause]
”
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