[Music] this is me when I was only five years
this is me when I was only five years
this is me when I was only five years old and even to this day I still
old and even to this day I still
old and even to this day I still remember three really big things about
remember three really big things about
remember three really big things about myself being so young I remember the
myself being so young I remember the
myself being so young I remember the first one being this little boy and
first one being this little boy and
first one being this little boy and having a dream I had a dream that I so
having a dream I had a dream that I so
having a dream I had a dream that I so badly wanted to grow up to be a police
badly wanted to grow up to be a police
badly wanted to grow up to be a police officer and if you would ask me when I
officer and if you would ask me when I
officer and if you would ask me when I was five why why would you ever want to
was five why why would you ever want to
was five why why would you ever want to grow up to be a police officer I would
grow up to be a police officer I would
grow up to be a police officer I would have stood there with a little boy grin
have stood there with a little boy grin
have stood there with a little boy grin would I look up to you and I would have
would I look up to you and I would have
would I look up to you and I would have said because when I grow up I want to be
said because when I grow up I want to be
said because when I grow up I want to be able to help people the second thing I
able to help people the second thing I
able to help people the second thing I remember is that my mum and dad they
remember is that my mum and dad they
remember is that my mum and dad they were not getting along so they got a
were not getting along so they got a
were not getting along so they got a divorce and the way divorce worked in my
divorce and the way divorce worked in my
divorce and the way divorce worked in my house very straightforward as five so I
house very straightforward as five so I
house very straightforward as five so I stayed in the same house I grown up in
stayed in the same house I grown up in
stayed in the same house I grown up in and I stayed there with my father it was
and I stayed there with my father it was
and I stayed there with my father it was my mother that was the one to leave she
my mother that was the one to leave she
my mother that was the one to leave she left and I didn’t see her again for the
left and I didn’t see her again for the
left and I didn’t see her again for the better part of the next next 15 years or
better part of the next next 15 years or
better part of the next next 15 years or so well I was left there with my dad my
so well I was left there with my dad my
so well I was left there with my dad my dad’s an alcoholic and I know that
dad’s an alcoholic and I know that
dad’s an alcoholic and I know that sometimes when we hear that word we have
sometimes when we hear that word we have
sometimes when we hear that word we have a pretty negative understanding of what
a pretty negative understanding of what
a pretty negative understanding of what that means and yes there are some people
that means and yes there are some people
that means and yes there are some people that do things that they shouldn’t but
that do things that they shouldn’t but
that do things that they shouldn’t but not my dad
not my dad
not my dad my dad’s still a very caring kind loving
my dad’s still a very caring kind loving
my dad’s still a very caring kind loving individual but the problem is however is
individual but the problem is however is
individual but the problem is however is that when there was something going on
that when there was something going on
that when there was something going on in his life where he should have been
in his life where he should have been
in his life where he should have been talking about her – communicating or
talking about her – communicating or
talking about her – communicating or addressing those issues he wasn’t
addressing those issues he wasn’t
addressing those issues he wasn’t comfortable doing so so what he would do
comfortable doing so so what he would do
comfortable doing so so what he would do instead is he turned to the alcohol and
instead is he turned to the alcohol and
instead is he turned to the alcohol and he’d hoped that those problems in his
he’d hoped that those problems in his
he’d hoped that those problems in his life was just like magic somehow
life was just like magic somehow
life was just like magic somehow disappear so you’ll see very soon how
disappear so you’ll see very soon how
disappear so you’ll see very soon how that played a very negative role for me
that played a very negative role for me
that played a very negative role for me growing up but the last thing I remember
growing up but the last thing I remember
growing up but the last thing I remember about being five and don’t be fooled is
about being five and don’t be fooled is
about being five and don’t be fooled is what you see in front of you this
what you see in front of you this
what you see in front of you this morning is the fact that I was slowly
morning is the fact that I was slowly
morning is the fact that I was slowly growing in to be a horrific ly
growing in to be a horrific ly
growing in to be a horrific ly introverted young person I used to be so
introverted young person I used to be so
introverted young person I used to be so shy that if someone had walked up to say
shy that if someone had walked up to say
shy that if someone had walked up to say hi or be kind or be my friend I wanted
hi or be kind or be my friend I wanted
hi or be kind or be my friend I wanted no part of it so I’d put my head down
no part of it so I’d put my head down
no part of it so I’d put my head down turn around and just walk away
turn around and just walk away
turn around and just walk away but you see being that shy wasn’t my
but you see being that shy wasn’t my
but you see being that shy wasn’t my only challenge because in my mind if I
only challenge because in my mind if I
only challenge because in my mind if I was ever feeling any type of perverse
was ever feeling any type of perverse
was ever feeling any type of perverse emotion whether that be anger sadness
emotion whether that be anger sadness
emotion whether that be anger sadness disappointment fear anything along those
disappointment fear anything along those
disappointment fear anything along those lines my body was always gonna react by
lines my body was always gonna react by
lines my body was always gonna react by crying well you see it was just after
crying well you see it was just after
crying well you see it was just after that divorce my dad felt it so he had
that divorce my dad felt it so he had
that divorce my dad felt it so he had met the new woman of his dream so he
met the new woman of his dream so he
met the new woman of his dream so he invited her come and live in my home but
invited her come and live in my home but
invited her come and live in my home but I’m only five I’m basically waiting at
I’m only five I’m basically waiting at
I’m only five I’m basically waiting at the front door hoping mums gonna come
the front door hoping mums gonna come
the front door hoping mums gonna come through that door at anytime yet this
through that door at anytime yet this
through that door at anytime yet this stranger has now moved in and I knew at
stranger has now moved in and I knew at
stranger has now moved in and I knew at five years old as I know to this day
five years old as I know to this day
five years old as I know to this day that when that woman moved into my life
that when that woman moved into my life
that when that woman moved into my life she absolutely hated me and I know that
she absolutely hated me and I know that
she absolutely hated me and I know that because when she moved into my life she
because when she moved into my life she
because when she moved into my life she had some extreme rules the first one it
had some extreme rules the first one it
had some extreme rules the first one it was
was
was to be the biggest the one that would
to be the biggest the one that would
to be the biggest the one that would last the longest and still affect me to
last the longest and still affect me to
last the longest and still affect me to this day and that one was gonna be that
this day and that one was gonna be that
this day and that one was gonna be that from that day forward she was gonna lock
from that day forward she was gonna lock
from that day forward she was gonna lock me in the basement of my house well
me in the basement of my house well
me in the basement of my house well that’s my house looks pretty nice on the
that’s my house looks pretty nice on the
that’s my house looks pretty nice on the outside except the four walls to that
outside except the four walls to that
outside except the four walls to that home hid of deep dark secret and that is
home hid of deep dark secret and that is
home hid of deep dark secret and that is that basement because the basement that
that basement because the basement that
that basement because the basement that I was locked in had four cement walls a
I was locked in had four cement walls a
I was locked in had four cement walls a screw and light bulb in the ceiling for
screw and light bulb in the ceiling for
screw and light bulb in the ceiling for Windows but three of which were normally
Windows but three of which were normally
Windows but three of which were normally either had the growth outside of the
either had the growth outside of the
either had the growth outside of the plants or maybe they were boarded up the
plants or maybe they were boarded up the
plants or maybe they were boarded up the fourth one always cemented over there
fourth one always cemented over there
fourth one always cemented over there was no heat there was no air
was no heat there was no air
was no heat there was no air conditioning I wasn’t allowed ties the
conditioning I wasn’t allowed ties the
conditioning I wasn’t allowed ties the only thing I could have is a small
only thing I could have is a small
only thing I could have is a small little black-and-white television with a
little black-and-white television with a
little black-and-white television with a couple of antennae on top and on a nice
couple of antennae on top and on a nice
couple of antennae on top and on a nice day I might get lucky to have one maybe
day I might get lucky to have one maybe
day I might get lucky to have one maybe two channels that would come in so there
two channels that would come in so there
two channels that would come in so there I was locked in that basement but I
I was locked in that basement but I
I was locked in that basement but I can’t even say hi to people anyways so
can’t even say hi to people anyways so
can’t even say hi to people anyways so I’m already suffering inside but what
I’m already suffering inside but what
I’m already suffering inside but what would happen is she would also catch on
would happen is she would also catch on
would happen is she would also catch on very quick I cried all the time and you
very quick I cried all the time and you
very quick I cried all the time and you see it wasn’t just the fact that she
see it wasn’t just the fact that she
see it wasn’t just the fact that she clued in to that it was the fact that
clued in to that it was the fact that
clued in to that it was the fact that she she really manipulated it it started
she she really manipulated it it started
she she really manipulated it it started with with calling me names but it didn’t
with with calling me names but it didn’t
with with calling me names but it didn’t take long before she’d start to yell and
take long before she’d start to yell and
take long before she’d start to yell and scream but it was the words that she
scream but it was the words that she
scream but it was the words that she would tell me at a young age as I grew
would tell me at a young age as I grew
would tell me at a young age as I grew older the words of I’m never gonna be
older the words of I’m never gonna be
older the words of I’m never gonna be light no one’s ever gonna be my friend
light no one’s ever gonna be my friend
light no one’s ever gonna be my friend no one’s ever gonna love me I’m just
no one’s ever gonna love me I’m just
no one’s ever gonna love me I’m just forever gonna be worthless because I’m
forever gonna be worthless because I’m
forever gonna be worthless because I’m not good enough those words would keep
not good enough those words would keep
not good enough those words would keep being but then the screaming so what
being but then the screaming so what
being but then the screaming so what would happen every now and again is my
would happen every now and again is my
would happen every now and again is my dad he would know that she’s screaming
dad he would know that she’s screaming
dad he would know that she’s screaming so he’d come down to that basement he’d
so he’d come down to that basement he’d
so he’d come down to that basement he’d find wherever I was more often than not
find wherever I was more often than not
find wherever I was more often than not just curled up in a corner just trying
just curled up in a corner just trying
just curled up in a corner just trying to stay warm cuz that basement was
to stay warm cuz that basement was
to stay warm cuz that basement was always so so cold he’d come he’d find me
always so so cold he’d come he’d find me
always so so cold he’d come he’d find me he put his arm around me with his drink
he put his arm around me with his drink
he put his arm around me with his drink in his other hand and he’d look at this
in his other hand and he’d look at this
in his other hand and he’d look at this young person and just say to me tad just
young person and just say to me tad just
young person and just say to me tad just ignore her just ignore her she’ll stop
ignore her just ignore her she’ll stop
ignore her just ignore her she’ll stop she’ll stop and those would be the words
she’ll stop and those would be the words
she’ll stop and those would be the words that he would always do instead of going
that he would always do instead of going
that he would always do instead of going in addressing the problem which is what
in addressing the problem which is what
in addressing the problem which is what he needed to do he would go to the young
he needed to do he would go to the young
he needed to do he would go to the young person and just tell me to ignore her
person and just tell me to ignore her
person and just tell me to ignore her but you see what was happening is that I
but you see what was happening is that I
but you see what was happening is that I was only allowed to leave that house for
was only allowed to leave that house for
was only allowed to leave that house for two circumstances one was either to go
two circumstances one was either to go
two circumstances one was either to go to school and the other was every now
to school and the other was every now
to school and the other was every now and again my dad would come to me and
and again my dad would come to me and
and again my dad would come to me and say tad you know do you want to come
say tad you know do you want to come
say tad you know do you want to come with me on Sunday morning to go and see
with me on Sunday morning to go and see
with me on Sunday morning to go and see this family friend of ours so I had that
this family friend of ours so I had that
this family friend of ours so I had that option I could either go with my dad or
option I could either go with my dad or
option I could either go with my dad or stay in that basement alone with that
stay in that basement alone with that
stay in that basement alone with that woman
woman
woman well what my dad didn’t know is that
well what my dad didn’t know is that
well what my dad didn’t know is that when I was going to that house I was
when I was going to that house I was
when I was going to that house I was being sexually abused by an older man at
being sexually abused by an older man at
being sexually abused by an older man at that residence my dad would never know
that residence my dad would never know
that residence my dad would never know because I didn’t tell anybody but
because I didn’t tell anybody but
because I didn’t tell anybody but every Sunday I’d still have that option
every Sunday I’d still have that option
every Sunday I’d still have that option do I want to go with my dad where do I
do I want to go with my dad where do I
do I want to go with my dad where do I want stay at home in that basement with
want stay at home in that basement with
want stay at home in that basement with that woman every single week I still
that woman every single week I still
that woman every single week I still chose to go with my dad knowing full
chose to go with my dad knowing full
chose to go with my dad knowing full well what was going to take place but I
well what was going to take place but I
well what was going to take place but I did it because that is how afraid I was
did it because that is how afraid I was
did it because that is how afraid I was of that house
of that house
of that house the other time has allowed to leave to
the other time has allowed to leave to
the other time has allowed to leave to go to school but as I stand in front of
go to school but as I stand in front of
go to school but as I stand in front of you today I can assure you there was not
you today I can assure you there was not
you today I can assure you there was not a single day of being at school that was
a single day of being at school that was
a single day of being at school that was ever any better than being in that
ever any better than being in that
ever any better than being in that basement it was just different and the
basement it was just different and the
basement it was just different and the reason being is because kids that school
reason being is because kids that school
reason being is because kids that school also figured out the fact that I cried
also figured out the fact that I cried
also figured out the fact that I cried all the time and they honed in right
all the time and they honed in right
all the time and they honed in right away and they knew that the way to get
away and they knew that the way to get
away and they knew that the way to get me to cry was all you need to do is just
me to cry was all you need to do is just
me to cry was all you need to do is just call me just a simple of a couple of bad
call me just a simple of a couple of bad
call me just a simple of a couple of bad names and I would cry no matter what but
names and I would cry no matter what but
names and I would cry no matter what but again just like bullying that started
again just like bullying that started
again just like bullying that started with the names but for me that didn’t it
with the names but for me that didn’t it
with the names but for me that didn’t it didn’t stop there because it went from
didn’t stop there because it went from
didn’t stop there because it went from something simple maybe like knocking the
something simple maybe like knocking the
something simple maybe like knocking the books out of my hand or hip checking
books out of my hand or hip checking
books out of my hand or hip checking into the locker tripping down the stairs
into the locker tripping down the stairs
into the locker tripping down the stairs beating me up so bad I don’t even know
beating me up so bad I don’t even know
beating me up so bad I don’t even know what my name was when it was over chased
what my name was when it was over chased
what my name was when it was over chased home from school you name it it happened
home from school you name it it happened
home from school you name it it happened it happened every single day but I
it happened every single day but I
it happened every single day but I didn’t do anything about any of this I
didn’t do anything about any of this I
didn’t do anything about any of this I held everything in and what I would do
held everything in and what I would do
held everything in and what I would do is every night I’d put my head on a
is every night I’d put my head on a
is every night I’d put my head on a pillow and I just simply hope and wait
pillow and I just simply hope and wait
pillow and I just simply hope and wait and maybe wish that tomorrow was gonna
and maybe wish that tomorrow was gonna
and maybe wish that tomorrow was gonna be better but for me growing up tomorrow
be better but for me growing up tomorrow
be better but for me growing up tomorrow was never better tomorrow at very best
was never better tomorrow at very best
was never better tomorrow at very best was only a repeat of what just happened
was only a repeat of what just happened
was only a repeat of what just happened today and there was once a time my life
today and there was once a time my life
today and there was once a time my life I couldn’t stand today but I continued
I couldn’t stand today but I continued
I couldn’t stand today but I continued to hold everything in it was when I was
to hold everything in it was when I was
to hold everything in it was when I was 17 years old that I don’t I can’t even
17 years old that I don’t I can’t even
17 years old that I don’t I can’t even explain why it happened but I ran away
explain why it happened but I ran away
explain why it happened but I ran away from home I had a ten dollar bill in my
from home I had a ten dollar bill in my
from home I had a ten dollar bill in my hand and the clothes on my back
hand and the clothes on my back
hand and the clothes on my back in fact the photos that I’ve shown you
in fact the photos that I’ve shown you
in fact the photos that I’ve shown you up here the only photo that I even have
up here the only photo that I even have
up here the only photo that I even have of myself under the age of 17 years old
of myself under the age of 17 years old
of myself under the age of 17 years old I ran away from home I never looked back
I ran away from home I never looked back
I ran away from home I never looked back and I started to build my life I turned
and I started to build my life I turned
and I started to build my life I turned to the government to get some assistance
to the government to get some assistance
to the government to get some assistance they got me a youth shelter to move in
they got me a youth shelter to move in
they got me a youth shelter to move in too along with that financial monthly
too along with that financial monthly
too along with that financial monthly monthly check to help me through somehow
monthly check to help me through somehow
monthly check to help me through somehow I managed to finish school but I’d
I managed to finish school but I’d
I managed to finish school but I’d always held on to that dream that one
always held on to that dream that one
always held on to that dream that one day I am gonna be worth something I’m
day I am gonna be worth something I’m
day I am gonna be worth something I’m gonna achieve my dream of be a police
gonna achieve my dream of be a police
gonna achieve my dream of be a police officer but as I was growing older I had
officer but as I was growing older I had
officer but as I was growing older I had not yet addressed the mental health
not yet addressed the mental health
not yet addressed the mental health issues I was experiencing and that when
issues I was experiencing and that when
issues I was experiencing and that when I late teens that’s when everything
I late teens that’s when everything
I late teens that’s when everything caught up to me the words that I’ve been
caught up to me the words that I’ve been
caught up to me the words that I’ve been told for all those years because it was
told for all those years because it was
told for all those years because it was one night I decided I was done with
one night I decided I was done with
one night I decided I was done with everything I attempted suicide I took
everything I attempted suicide I took
everything I attempted suicide I took every pill that was in my house I’d
every pill that was in my house I’d
every pill that was in my house I’d locked the door behind me I went to bed
locked the door behind me I went to bed
locked the door behind me I went to bed I never left
I never left
I never left the note I didn’t call anyone I truly
the note I didn’t call anyone I truly
the note I didn’t call anyone I truly wanted to die I went to sleep and then I
wanted to die I went to sleep and then I
wanted to die I went to sleep and then I woke up the next morning and I can tell
woke up the next morning and I can tell
woke up the next morning and I can tell you I’ve been an entirely different
you I’ve been an entirely different
you I’ve been an entirely different person from that morning moving forward
person from that morning moving forward
person from that morning moving forward because when I woke up that morning I
because when I woke up that morning I
because when I woke up that morning I realized that I was very very angry with
realized that I was very very angry with
realized that I was very very angry with myself I was so upset that I would even
myself I was so upset that I would even
myself I was so upset that I would even dare do something like that because I
dare do something like that because I
dare do something like that because I had so much more to give the fact that
had so much more to give the fact that
had so much more to give the fact that her words of putting me down for all
her words of putting me down for all
her words of putting me down for all those years it wasn’t me that was wrong
those years it wasn’t me that was wrong
those years it wasn’t me that was wrong it was her that was wrong so I started
it was her that was wrong so I started
it was her that was wrong so I started to do something pretty impressive with
to do something pretty impressive with
to do something pretty impressive with myself and that’s I started to believe
myself and that’s I started to believe
myself and that’s I started to believe in myself and because I did that I can
in myself and because I did that I can
in myself and because I did that I can tell you that by the time by the time I
tell you that by the time by the time I
tell you that by the time by the time I was I was starting to grow a little
was I was starting to grow a little
was I was starting to grow a little older that’s when I because I did
older that’s when I because I did
older that’s when I because I did believe in myself it’s that when I
believe in myself it’s that when I
believe in myself it’s that when I started to work really hard I I gave it
started to work really hard I I gave it
started to work really hard I I gave it my all and then I tried and because I
my all and then I tried and because I
my all and then I tried and because I tried I can tell you I grew up to
tried I can tell you I grew up to
tried I can tell you I grew up to achieve my dream because I am a police
achieve my dream because I am a police
achieve my dream because I am a police officer now as I had been for the last
officer now as I had been for the last
officer now as I had been for the last ten years my patrol zone is right
ten years my patrol zone is right
ten years my patrol zone is right downtown Calgary I’m very proud to
downtown Calgary I’m very proud to
downtown Calgary I’m very proud to represent the Calgary Police Service
represent the Calgary Police Service
represent the Calgary Police Service I started Mike policing career with the
I started Mike policing career with the
I started Mike policing career with the RCMP in Surrey BC and I could tell you
RCMP in Surrey BC and I could tell you
RCMP in Surrey BC and I could tell you that my life was perfect I’d achieved
that my life was perfect I’d achieved
that my life was perfect I’d achieved everything everything I could have ever
everything everything I could have ever
everything everything I could have ever wanted it’s I love the job more than
wanted it’s I love the job more than
wanted it’s I love the job more than words itself can ever say but there was
words itself can ever say but there was
words itself can ever say but there was still something that I didn’t realize
still something that I didn’t realize
still something that I didn’t realize and that is I had a different journey
and that is I had a different journey
and that is I had a different journey that was coming my way because on one
that was coming my way because on one
that was coming my way because on one night October 2011 I was laying a bed
night October 2011 I was laying a bed
night October 2011 I was laying a bed reading the news going through the
reading the news going through the
reading the news going through the headlines as I do every night and that’s
headlines as I do every night and that’s
headlines as I do every night and that’s when I saw this article about this young
when I saw this article about this young
when I saw this article about this young man
man
man that’s our article headline says Ottawa
that’s our article headline says Ottawa
that’s our article headline says Ottawa teenager takes his own life because of
teenager takes his own life because of
teenager takes his own life because of severe bullying and that’s the night
severe bullying and that’s the night
severe bullying and that’s the night that I started to read about Jamie
that I started to read about Jamie
that I started to read about Jamie hubely 15 years old commits suicide
hubely 15 years old commits suicide
hubely 15 years old commits suicide because at five years old the kids
because at five years old the kids
because at five years old the kids realize that he’s a figure skater and
realize that he’s a figure skater and
realize that he’s a figure skater and not a hockey player and later in life he
not a hockey player and later in life he
not a hockey player and later in life he came out is openly gay the family
came out is openly gay the family
came out is openly gay the family totally accepted that except the kids at
totally accepted that except the kids at
totally accepted that except the kids at school they did not at 15 years old
school they did not at 15 years old
school they did not at 15 years old Jamie had been struggling with mental
Jamie had been struggling with mental
Jamie had been struggling with mental illness and he did take his own life but
illness and he did take his own life but
illness and he did take his own life but when I finished reading this article
when I finished reading this article
when I finished reading this article that night I remember to this moment
that night I remember to this moment
that night I remember to this moment that has absolutely frozen paralyzed in
that has absolutely frozen paralyzed in
that has absolutely frozen paralyzed in bed I thought wow I I felt in in a way I
bed I thought wow I I felt in in a way I
bed I thought wow I I felt in in a way I was almost reading about myself five
was almost reading about myself five
was almost reading about myself five years old the challenges with mental
years old the challenges with mental
years old the challenges with mental health the bullying that was going on
health the bullying that was going on
health the bullying that was going on holding a lot in and then the suicide
holding a lot in and then the suicide
holding a lot in and then the suicide attempt but that’s when I realized that
attempt but that’s when I realized that
attempt but that’s when I realized that I’m not going to be a person anymore
I’m not going to be a person anymore
I’m not going to be a person anymore that’s gonna sit around reading these
that’s gonna sit around reading these
that’s gonna sit around reading these headlines and just hope and wait and
headlines and just hope and wait and
headlines and just hope and wait and wish for the world to change I realized
wish for the world to change I realized
wish for the world to change I realized that if I want positive
that if I want positive
that if I want positive change in this world that positive
change in this world that positive
change in this world that positive change has got to start with me and
change has got to start with me and
change has got to start with me and Jamie and I had an awful lot in common
Jamie and I had an awful lot in common
Jamie and I had an awful lot in common not only with the mental health as I
not only with the mental health as I
not only with the mental health as I said but also the fact that we’re both
said but also the fact that we’re both
said but also the fact that we’re both gay and that is when I decided I am
gay and that is when I decided I am
gay and that is when I decided I am gonna do something about this I decided
gonna do something about this I decided
gonna do something about this I decided to create a program that I call bullying
to create a program that I call bullying
to create a program that I call bullying ends here I didn’t realize it was gonna
ends here I didn’t realize it was gonna
ends here I didn’t realize it was gonna turn into something like this because I
turn into something like this because I
turn into something like this because I am still a very very shy person but what
am still a very very shy person but what
am still a very very shy person but what it did start with is just me going to a
it did start with is just me going to a
it did start with is just me going to a classroom I wanted to know what is it
classroom I wanted to know what is it
classroom I wanted to know what is it like to be in school nowadays obviously
like to be in school nowadays obviously
like to be in school nowadays obviously with what I went through is a long time
with what I went through is a long time
with what I went through is a long time ago and there’s a lot of differences
ago and there’s a lot of differences
ago and there’s a lot of differences between then and now but yet there’s so
between then and now but yet there’s so
between then and now but yet there’s so many similarities so I thought okay well
many similarities so I thought okay well
many similarities so I thought okay well I’m gonna open up and I’m gonna share
I’m gonna open up and I’m gonna share
I’m gonna open up and I’m gonna share because there is nothing wrong with
because there is nothing wrong with
because there is nothing wrong with talking about mental illness there is
talking about mental illness there is
talking about mental illness there is nothing wrong about speaking about our
nothing wrong about speaking about our
nothing wrong about speaking about our innermost thoughts and what we’ve gone
innermost thoughts and what we’ve gone
innermost thoughts and what we’ve gone through but I didn’t realize that the
through but I didn’t realize that the
through but I didn’t realize that the connection was going to be made because
connection was going to be made because
connection was going to be made because although I started with a single
although I started with a single
although I started with a single classroom back in 2012 was my first
classroom back in 2012 was my first
classroom back in 2012 was my first presentation that since then I’ve now
presentation that since then I’ve now
presentation that since then I’ve now done almost a thousand presentations all
done almost a thousand presentations all
done almost a thousand presentations all across this country spoken the more than
across this country spoken the more than
across this country spoken the more than 350,000 young people I can tell you that
350,000 young people I can tell you that
350,000 young people I can tell you that the connection is being made because of
the connection is being made because of
the connection is being made because of the simple fact that on my website the
the simple fact that on my website the
the simple fact that on my website the bullying and searcy a website that now
bullying and searcy a website that now
bullying and searcy a website that now the kids are having that connection and
the kids are having that connection and
the kids are having that connection and they’re reaching out so when the last
they’re reaching out so when the last
they’re reaching out so when the last two years alone I’ve received more than
two years alone I’ve received more than
two years alone I’ve received more than 30,000 emails from our young people
30,000 emails from our young people
30,000 emails from our young people telling me exactly what’s going on how
telling me exactly what’s going on how
telling me exactly what’s going on how they’re feeling sometimes I’m the first
they’re feeling sometimes I’m the first
they’re feeling sometimes I’m the first person they’ve ever shared the
person they’ve ever shared the
person they’ve ever shared the information that they’re putting out
information that they’re putting out
information that they’re putting out there I should also tell you that I do
there I should also tell you that I do
there I should also tell you that I do all of this on my own time I don’t get
all of this on my own time I don’t get
all of this on my own time I don’t get paid I do it on my days off because this
paid I do it on my days off because this
paid I do it on my days off because this is how passionate I am about carrying on
is how passionate I am about carrying on
is how passionate I am about carrying on Jamie’s message of acceptance and
Jamie’s message of acceptance and
Jamie’s message of acceptance and understanding I think the biggest thing
understanding I think the biggest thing
understanding I think the biggest thing I should share with you about the
I should share with you about the
I should share with you about the program is the fact that I have been
program is the fact that I have been
program is the fact that I have been credited there the program at least has
credited there the program at least has
credited there the program at least has been credited with saving 43 young lives
been credited with saving 43 young lives
been credited with saving 43 young lives because what happens after the
because what happens after the
because what happens after the presentation is the kids are inspired to
presentation is the kids are inspired to
presentation is the kids are inspired to go home they realize they have never
go home they realize they have never
go home they realize they have never ever been alone that they’re everyone
ever been alone that they’re everyone
ever been alone that they’re everyone has a story and by simply sharing those
has a story and by simply sharing those
has a story and by simply sharing those stories that’s when we realize how much
stories that’s when we realize how much
stories that’s when we realize how much empowerment we can actually do just
empowerment we can actually do just
empowerment we can actually do just starts with one person sharing letting
starts with one person sharing letting
starts with one person sharing letting people know it’s okay to be who you are
people know it’s okay to be who you are
people know it’s okay to be who you are and what you’re experiencing and we are
and what you’re experiencing and we are
and what you’re experiencing and we are all there to help but we can’t help
all there to help but we can’t help
all there to help but we can’t help unless we know there’s something that
unless we know there’s something that
unless we know there’s something that needs helping with so I I thought okay
needs helping with so I I thought okay
needs helping with so I I thought okay so I created the website I wrote a book
so I created the website I wrote a book
so I created the website I wrote a book and I thought well now what do I do and
and I thought well now what do I do and
and I thought well now what do I do and that’s when I decide I’m just gonna
that’s when I decide I’m just gonna
that’s when I decide I’m just gonna stand back and let things happen so now
stand back and let things happen so now
stand back and let things happen so now the requests come in from all over the
the requests come in from all over the
the requests come in from all over the world tomorrow I leave for Palm Springs
world tomorrow I leave for Palm Springs
world tomorrow I leave for Palm Springs to go and speak down there and again
to go and speak down there and again
to go and speak down there and again just continue doing it on my own time I
just continue doing it on my own time I
just continue doing it on my own time I wouldn’t choose anything else anything
wouldn’t choose anything else anything
wouldn’t choose anything else anything better in life than to continue on this
better in life than to continue on this
better in life than to continue on this journey I’ve got my dream come true but
journey I’ve got my dream come true but
journey I’ve got my dream come true but now I’ve got this journey that’s kind of
now I’ve got this journey that’s kind of
now I’ve got this journey that’s kind of like a secondary dream come true so I’ll
like a secondary dream come true so I’ll
like a secondary dream come true so I’ll leave you with this when you go home
leave you with this when you go home
leave you with this when you go home tonight take a look at the mirror and
tonight take a look at the mirror and
tonight take a look at the mirror and look at yourself and ask yourself a very
look at yourself and ask yourself a very
look at yourself and ask yourself a very simple question that is why is I the
simple question that is why is I the
simple question that is why is I the very best person that I could have been
very best person that I could have been
very best person that I could have been today because when you answer that
today because when you answer that
today because when you answer that question you’re truly honest with
question you’re truly honest with
question you’re truly honest with yourself that’s when you’re gonna
yourself that’s when you’re gonna
yourself that’s when you’re gonna remember the things that you said the
remember the things that you said the
remember the things that you said the actions you took the people that you
actions you took the people that you
actions you took the people that you know full well God harms are abused in
know full well God harms are abused in
know full well God harms are abused in some way today and that’s when you
some way today and that’s when you
some way today and that’s when you challenge yourself that tomorrow
challenge yourself that tomorrow
challenge yourself that tomorrow tomorrow I’m gonna be better tomorrow
tomorrow I’m gonna be better tomorrow
tomorrow I’m gonna be better tomorrow I’m gonna lead by example tomorrow I’m
I’m gonna lead by example tomorrow I’m
I’m gonna lead by example tomorrow I’m gonna start a legacy for myself to where
gonna start a legacy for myself to where
gonna start a legacy for myself to where I’m gonna reach out I’m gonna be
I’m gonna reach out I’m gonna be
I’m gonna reach out I’m gonna be someone’s voice maybe just maybe I’m
someone’s voice maybe just maybe I’m
someone’s voice maybe just maybe I’m gonna be somebody’s hero and when you
gonna be somebody’s hero and when you
gonna be somebody’s hero and when you start to think like that that’s when
start to think like that that’s when
start to think like that that’s when you’ll truly understand why I do what I
you’ll truly understand why I do what I
you’ll truly understand why I do what I do because I am absolutely convinced
do because I am absolutely convinced
do because I am absolutely convinced that together we can not only change
that together we can not only change
that together we can not only change lives but we’ll save them thank you
lives but we’ll save them thank you
lives but we’ll save them thank you [Applause]
”
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