it’s good to be back on the stage after so many years think for a moment about
so many years think for a moment about
so many years think for a moment about the question that I’m gonna pose to you
the question that I’m gonna pose to you
the question that I’m gonna pose to you today and think about would you believe
today and think about would you believe
today and think about would you believe me if I told you that somebody’s life
me if I told you that somebody’s life
me if I told you that somebody’s life could be changed with somebody else’s
could be changed with somebody else’s
could be changed with somebody else’s garbage a fast-paced world of technology
garbage a fast-paced world of technology
garbage a fast-paced world of technology our schedules are over programmed lives
our schedules are over programmed lives
our schedules are over programmed lives everything we do to consume consume
everything we do to consume consume
everything we do to consume consume push push maximize extend our bandwidth
push push maximize extend our bandwidth
push push maximize extend our bandwidth and try to soak it all in
and try to soak it all in
and try to soak it all in it has become harder and harder to be
it has become harder and harder to be
it has become harder and harder to be present it’s become harder and harder to
present it’s become harder and harder to
present it’s become harder and harder to be in the moment with somebody to have a
be in the moment with somebody to have a
be in the moment with somebody to have a one-on-one communication or to find
one-on-one communication or to find
one-on-one communication or to find something out about somebody new to be
something out about somebody new to be
something out about somebody new to be mindfully aware of personal connections
mindfully aware of personal connections
mindfully aware of personal connections that have a lasting impact on others I
that have a lasting impact on others I
that have a lasting impact on others I want to ask you how do you put a price
want to ask you how do you put a price
want to ask you how do you put a price on hope how do you put a value on that
on hope how do you put a value on that
on hope how do you put a value on that how do you place a value on bringing out
how do you place a value on bringing out
how do you place a value on bringing out an emotion in somebody and what does
an emotion in somebody and what does
an emotion in somebody and what does that look like how do you put a value on
that look like how do you put a value on
that look like how do you put a value on validating someone’s very existence
validating someone’s very existence
validating someone’s very existence these are questions that I’ve struggled
these are questions that I’ve struggled
these are questions that I’ve struggled with for the last 10 years but these are
with for the last 10 years but these are
with for the last 10 years but these are the questions that I found answers to in
the questions that I found answers to in
the questions that I found answers to in 2007 for over 15 years I was a film and
2007 for over 15 years I was a film and
2007 for over 15 years I was a film and television producer I worked with some
television producer I worked with some
television producer I worked with some of the largest and most famous stars
of the largest and most famous stars
of the largest and most famous stars that you’ve seen in magazines I worked
that you’ve seen in magazines I worked
that you’ve seen in magazines I worked in some of the great studios and I did
in some of the great studios and I did
in some of the great studios and I did projects all around the world creating
projects all around the world creating
projects all around the world creating great stories some of them not all of
great stories some of them not all of
great stories some of them not all of them and filling this consumer world
them and filling this consumer world
them and filling this consumer world full of entertainment 2007 was a very
full of entertainment 2007 was a very
full of entertainment 2007 was a very very big year for me I would a
very big year for me I would a
very big year for me I would a documentary film crew to Nepal and spent
documentary film crew to Nepal and spent
documentary film crew to Nepal and spent 28 days much of it at the base camp of
28 days much of it at the base camp of
28 days much of it at the base camp of Everest did lots of things where you
Everest did lots of things where you
Everest did lots of things where you should come back broken and battered
should come back broken and battered
should come back broken and battered came back just fine I also went
came back just fine I also went
came back just fine I also went helicopter skiing and another project in
helicopter skiing and another project in
helicopter skiing and another project in British Columbia doing things that you
British Columbia doing things that you
British Columbia doing things that you really shouldn’t be doing and you should
really shouldn’t be doing and you should
really shouldn’t be doing and you should come back broken and battered came back
come back broken and battered came back
come back broken and battered came back fine and on July 29th 2007 I had a
fine and on July 29th 2007 I had a
fine and on July 29th 2007 I had a near-fatal accident
near-fatal accident
near-fatal accident where I was working on a warehouse on
where I was working on a warehouse on
where I was working on a warehouse on the north side of town here and doing a
the north side of town here and doing a
the north side of town here and doing a basic DIY project fixing the roof the
basic DIY project fixing the roof the
basic DIY project fixing the roof the roof was leaking and it was time to fix
roof was leaking and it was time to fix
roof was leaking and it was time to fix it Florida style which just means put a
it Florida style which just means put a
it Florida style which just means put a tarp on it and deal with it next year up
tarp on it and deal with it next year up
tarp on it and deal with it next year up and down the ladder up and down the
and down the ladder up and down the
and down the ladder up and down the ladder and for some reason on the 15th
ladder and for some reason on the 15th
ladder and for some reason on the 15th or 16th time I stepped on the top of the
or 16th time I stepped on the top of the
or 16th time I stepped on the top of the ladder and the Bob collapsed and I fell
ladder and the Bob collapsed and I fell
ladder and the Bob collapsed and I fell about a story and a half facedown on the
about a story and a half facedown on the
about a story and a half facedown on the concrete the result of my injuries were
concrete the result of my injuries were
concrete the result of my injuries were a broken left arm broken left wrist
a broken left arm broken left wrist
a broken left arm broken left wrist broken right wrist right elbow broken
broken right wrist right elbow broken
broken right wrist right elbow broken right femur broken nose and 10 skull
right femur broken nose and 10 skull
right femur broken nose and 10 skull fractures just like that in a year when
fractures just like that in a year when
fractures just like that in a year when I should come back broken and battered
I should come back broken and battered
I should come back broken and battered and was fine a simple accident almost
and was fine a simple accident almost
and was fine a simple accident almost prevented me from being here with you
prevented me from being here with you
prevented me from being here with you today I was rushed to UT Medical Centre
today I was rushed to UT Medical Centre
today I was rushed to UT Medical Centre level 1 trauma and I was in the ICU for
level 1 trauma and I was in the ICU for
level 1 trauma and I was in the ICU for ten to two days I was in the level 1
ten to two days I was in the level 1
ten to two days I was in the level 1 trauma center for 10 days Patricia nail
trauma center for 10 days Patricia nail
trauma center for 10 days Patricia nail rehab facility for 10 days three and a
rehab facility for 10 days three and a
rehab facility for 10 days three and a half months in a wheelchair and 13
half months in a wheelchair and 13
half months in a wheelchair and 13 surgeries and Counting putting me back
surgeries and Counting putting me back
surgeries and Counting putting me back together it was back to that very first
together it was back to that very first
together it was back to that very first week and I want to take you back to
week and I want to take you back to
week and I want to take you back to those first few days where I was really
those first few days where I was really
those first few days where I was really trying to rebuild my life when I was
trying to rebuild my life when I was
trying to rebuild my life when I was trying to find a way to determine how
trying to find a way to determine how
trying to find a way to determine how what the new normal would be and what my
what the new normal would be and what my
what the new normal would be and what my path forward would be that something
path forward would be that something
path forward would be that something happened in addition to family and
happened in addition to family and
happened in addition to family and friends and people who showed their
friends and people who showed their
friends and people who showed their support to me I began getting deliveries
support to me I began getting deliveries
support to me I began getting deliveries of flowers I had never been given
of flowers I had never been given
of flowers I had never been given flowers before most guys have never been
flowers before most guys have never been
flowers before most guys have never been given flowers in their entire life and
given flowers in their entire life and
given flowers in their entire life and day after day one bouquet turned into
day after day one bouquet turned into
day after day one bouquet turned into three turned into six turned into twelve
three turned into six turned into twelve
three turned into six turned into twelve turned into twenty and by the end of the
turned into twenty and by the end of the
turned into twenty and by the end of the first week I had a jungle of joy and
first week I had a jungle of joy and
first week I had a jungle of joy and happiness I had an amazing outpouring of
happiness I had an amazing outpouring of
happiness I had an amazing outpouring of support from people who said we are here
support from people who said we are here
support from people who said we are here today is day one what can we do to help
today is day one what can we do to help
today is day one what can we do to help you and that came in the way of flowers
you and that came in the way of flowers
you and that came in the way of flowers and every time I had an option of sort
and every time I had an option of sort
and every time I had an option of sort of going down that path of low as me
of going down that path of low as me
of going down that path of low as me this is gonna be awful I’m gonna dive
this is gonna be awful I’m gonna dive
this is gonna be awful I’m gonna dive into every medication that give to me
into every medication that give to me
into every medication that give to me and I’m never gonna be the same again
and I’m never gonna be the same again
and I’m never gonna be the same again another bouquet would arrive and every
another bouquet would arrive and every
another bouquet would arrive and every time somebody walked into the room I
time somebody walked into the room I
time somebody walked into the room I didn’t matter if it was a doctor a nurse
didn’t matter if it was a doctor a nurse
didn’t matter if it was a doctor a nurse a janitor caregiver they smiled every
a janitor caregiver they smiled every
a janitor caregiver they smiled every time a bouquet filled
time a bouquet filled
time a bouquet filled another corner of the room and these are
another corner of the room and these are
another corner of the room and these are not very big rooms it smelled a little
not very big rooms it smelled a little
not very big rooms it smelled a little better it looked a little bit better and
better it looked a little bit better and
better it looked a little bit better and everyone’s reaction changed and I
everyone’s reaction changed and I
everyone’s reaction changed and I remember those moments and that was all
remember those moments and that was all
remember those moments and that was all about me and then by the end of the
about me and then by the end of the
about me and then by the end of the first week I got stir-crazy I was really
first week I got stir-crazy I was really
first week I got stir-crazy I was really really not excited about being there and
really not excited about being there and
really not excited about being there and I convinced the nurses and my family to
I convinced the nurses and my family to
I convinced the nurses and my family to get me into a wheelchair which took
get me into a wheelchair which took
get me into a wheelchair which took almost an hour bags casts IVs all kinds
almost an hour bags casts IVs all kinds
almost an hour bags casts IVs all kinds of stuff I said just get me out of my
of stuff I said just get me out of my
of stuff I said just get me out of my room I just got to get outside and the
room I just got to get outside and the
room I just got to get outside and the minute we left my room
minute we left my room
minute we left my room we entered what I can only describe to
we entered what I can only describe to
we entered what I can only describe to you as a world of Starck hospitalization
you as a world of Starck hospitalization
you as a world of Starck hospitalization sterile cold block we left my jungle of
sterile cold block we left my jungle of
sterile cold block we left my jungle of joy and happiness and room after room we
joy and happiness and room after room we
joy and happiness and room after room we went by it we were lifeless rooms no
went by it we were lifeless rooms no
went by it we were lifeless rooms no visitors no flowers no plants nothing
visitors no flowers no plants nothing
visitors no flowers no plants nothing and it was such a contrast to me it was
and it was such a contrast to me it was
and it was such a contrast to me it was really simple I just asked to go back to
really simple I just asked to go back to
really simple I just asked to go back to my room we didn’t follow protocol we
my room we didn’t follow protocol we
my room we didn’t follow protocol we didn’t ask permission we didn’t see if
didn’t ask permission we didn’t see if
didn’t ask permission we didn’t see if it was okay it was the right thing to do
it was okay it was the right thing to do
it was okay it was the right thing to do we took the cards off my flowers we load
we took the cards off my flowers we load
we took the cards off my flowers we load down my wheelchair with as much as we
down my wheelchair with as much as we
down my wheelchair with as much as we could do hold at the time with all the
could do hold at the time with all the
could do hold at the time with all the castes and we just started going room to
castes and we just started going room to
castes and we just started going room to room because there were so many people
room because there were so many people
room because there were so many people far worse off than I was that had
far worse off than I was that had
far worse off than I was that had nothing and we had this jungle of joy
nothing and we had this jungle of joy
nothing and we had this jungle of joy and celebration of life I’ll never
and celebration of life I’ll never
and celebration of life I’ll never forget the very first room we went into
forget the very first room we went into
forget the very first room we went into it was a woman who was right next door
it was a woman who was right next door
it was a woman who was right next door we had heard her cries of pain and her
we had heard her cries of pain and her
we had heard her cries of pain and her moans and her hurt all week long to
moans and her hurt all week long to
moans and her hurt all week long to something you’d never want to hear and
something you’d never want to hear and
something you’d never want to hear and she was in full sort of headgear
she was in full sort of headgear
she was in full sort of headgear traction wired up and all kinds of
traction wired up and all kinds of
traction wired up and all kinds of really thought bad things and I remember
really thought bad things and I remember
really thought bad things and I remember was we rolled into that room remembering
was we rolled into that room remembering
was we rolled into that room remembering how stark it was it was clear she was
how stark it was it was clear she was
how stark it was it was clear she was not there with anyone else no one was
not there with anyone else no one was
not there with anyone else no one was there to take care of her and she had
there to take care of her and she had
there to take care of her and she had these look in these in their eyes of
these look in these in their eyes of
these look in these in their eyes of these desperate eyes you never want to
these desperate eyes you never want to
these desperate eyes you never want to see in somebody it’s the look of undone
see in somebody it’s the look of undone
see in somebody it’s the look of undone pull the plug
pull the plug
pull the plug help it’s the desperate eyes you never
help it’s the desperate eyes you never
help it’s the desperate eyes you never want to see ever and we gave her a big
want to see ever and we gave her a big
want to see ever and we gave her a big bouquet of flowers and she went from
bouquet of flowers and she went from
bouquet of flowers and she went from that look to smiling and crying in two
that look to smiling and crying in two
that look to smiling and crying in two seconds I couldn’t do anything about our
seconds I couldn’t do anything about our
seconds I couldn’t do anything about our emotional state I
emotional state I
emotional state I everything about our emotional state I
everything about our emotional state I
everything about our emotional state I couldn’t do anything about her physical
couldn’t do anything about her physical
couldn’t do anything about her physical recovery I couldn’t do anything about
recovery I couldn’t do anything about
recovery I couldn’t do anything about what she was gonna face or how she was
what she was gonna face or how she was
what she was gonna face or how she was gonna make it happen but for one second
gonna make it happen but for one second
gonna make it happen but for one second we changed that perspective by giving
we changed that perspective by giving
we changed that perspective by giving her a bouquet of flowers the very nature
her a bouquet of flowers the very nature
her a bouquet of flowers the very nature when we went to as a gentleman taking
when we went to as a gentleman taking
when we went to as a gentleman taking care of his wife she was dying of cancer
care of his wife she was dying of cancer
care of his wife she was dying of cancer and she’d had a fall and who had a very
and she’d had a fall and who had a very
and she’d had a fall and who had a very traumatic accident and he told us how he
traumatic accident and he told us how he
traumatic accident and he told us how he was a gardener and how I used to take
was a gardener and how I used to take
was a gardener and how I used to take care of this amazing garden but he’d
care of this amazing garden but he’d
care of this amazing garden but he’d neglected it for years because he’d been
neglected it for years because he’d been
neglected it for years because he’d been taking care of it her rightfully so and
taking care of it her rightfully so and
taking care of it her rightfully so and we gave him this big plant somebody had
we gave him this big plant somebody had
we gave him this big plant somebody had sent me and he was amazing that to see
sent me and he was amazing that to see
sent me and he was amazing that to see him hug that plant and look at it we
him hug that plant and look at it we
him hug that plant and look at it we gave him his garden back he had
gave him his garden back he had
gave him his garden back he had something to take care of while he took
something to take care of while he took
something to take care of while he took care of her and we switched that
care of her and we switched that
care of her and we switched that emotional state for just a second room
emotional state for just a second room
emotional state for just a second room after room after room the same kind of
after room after room the same kind of
after room after room the same kind of stories over and again and it was a
stories over and again and it was a
stories over and again and it was a really really profound effect on me
really really profound effect on me
really really profound effect on me during a really tough time during the
during a really tough time during the
during a really tough time during the next six months or so I spent a lot of
next six months or so I spent a lot of
next six months or so I spent a lot of time in a wheelchair when you spend a
time in a wheelchair when you spend a
time in a wheelchair when you spend a lot of time in wheelchair you spend a
lot of time in wheelchair you spend a
lot of time in wheelchair you spend a lot of time alone even if there are
lot of time alone even if there are
lot of time alone even if there are other people around you are isolated and
other people around you are isolated and
other people around you are isolated and you think a lot and I spend a lot of
you think a lot and I spend a lot of
you think a lot and I spend a lot of time going through physical therapy a
time going through physical therapy a
time going through physical therapy a lot of surgeries a lot of retraining my
lot of surgeries a lot of retraining my
lot of surgeries a lot of retraining my body on how to walk how to do things
body on how to walk how to do things
body on how to walk how to do things that seem so normal and so you you dive
that seem so normal and so you you dive
that seem so normal and so you you dive into yourself and I kept thinking about
into yourself and I kept thinking about
into yourself and I kept thinking about those interactions saying come on
those interactions saying come on
those interactions saying come on somebody must be doing this this is kind
somebody must be doing this this is kind
somebody must be doing this this is kind of a no-brainer right somebody must be
of a no-brainer right somebody must be
of a no-brainer right somebody must be doing this so I look locally nothing
doing this so I look locally nothing
doing this so I look locally nothing regionally nothing nationally nothing I
regionally nothing nationally nothing I
regionally nothing nationally nothing I found a few stories when people had
found a few stories when people had
found a few stories when people had taken flowers and done something with
taken flowers and done something with
taken flowers and done something with him but nothing that was organized it
him but nothing that was organized it
him but nothing that was organized it said look we have an immense amount of
said look we have an immense amount of
said look we have an immense amount of the Perisher product that could be used
the Perisher product that could be used
the Perisher product that could be used to impact the world and so about six
to impact the world and so about six
to impact the world and so about six months into my recovery I came up with
months into my recovery I came up with
months into my recovery I came up with 1/2 clever name a couple of bad logo
1/2 clever name a couple of bad logo
1/2 clever name a couple of bad logo ideas a few bullet points on a napkin
ideas a few bullet points on a napkin
ideas a few bullet points on a napkin sat down with my wife and said I think I
sat down with my wife and said I think I
sat down with my wife and said I think I have something that could help and I
have something that could help and I
have something that could help and I could channel what I was doing in
could channel what I was doing in
could channel what I was doing in recovery to help somebody else and that
recovery to help somebody else and that
recovery to help somebody else and that was the genesis for random acts of
was the genesis for random acts of
was the genesis for random acts of flowers on the very first day we just
flowers on the very first day we just
flowers on the very first day we just started I called a bunch of friends I
started I called a bunch of friends I
started I called a bunch of friends I called people that sent me flowers and
called people that sent me flowers and
called people that sent me flowers and asked for donations I called friends
asked for donations I called friends
asked for donations I called friends that were in the healthcare industry and
that were in the healthcare industry and
that were in the healthcare industry and said I have an idea I call people in the
said I have an idea I call people in the
said I have an idea I call people in the floral industry and said I have
floral industry and said I have
floral industry and said I have idea we gathered a bunch of people and I
idea we gathered a bunch of people and I
idea we gathered a bunch of people and I always say that we are in a unique place
always say that we are in a unique place
always say that we are in a unique place here in the volunteer spirit is alive
here in the volunteer spirit is alive
here in the volunteer spirit is alive and well where people rush in and say
and well where people rush in and say
and well where people rush in and say how can I help and then they figure out
how can I help and then they figure out
how can I help and then they figure out the details later and everyone said
the details later and everyone said
the details later and everyone said great let’s figure it out and we went
great let’s figure it out and we went
great let’s figure it out and we went back to UT Medical Center and we asked
back to UT Medical Center and we asked
back to UT Medical Center and we asked can we do this
can we do this
can we do this and of course everybody thought okay
and of course everybody thought okay
and of course everybody thought okay what’s the catch I said there’s no catch
what’s the catch I said there’s no catch
what’s the catch I said there’s no catch and I explained it and we just got
and I explained it and we just got
and I explained it and we just got started and we did the very first
started and we did the very first
started and we did the very first delivery about six months later to the
delivery about six months later to the
delivery about six months later to the floor that I was in to the room that was
floor that I was in to the room that was
floor that I was in to the room that was in and that was our launching point we
in and that was our launching point we
in and that was our launching point we didn’t have a clue what we were doing
didn’t have a clue what we were doing
didn’t have a clue what we were doing but we knew it was the right thing to do
but we knew it was the right thing to do
but we knew it was the right thing to do and that has been the genesis for our
and that has been the genesis for our
and that has been the genesis for our organization ever since from that very
organization ever since from that very
organization ever since from that very first delivery to today what our
first delivery to today what our
first delivery to today what our organization about is a simple moment of
organization about is a simple moment of
organization about is a simple moment of kindness it’s a connection between one
kindness it’s a connection between one
kindness it’s a connection between one person and another person the flowers of
person and another person the flowers of
person and another person the flowers of the vessel the flowers of the catalyst
the vessel the flowers of the catalyst
the vessel the flowers of the catalyst but it’s really about that human
but it’s really about that human
but it’s really about that human emotional connection and that has not
emotional connection and that has not
emotional connection and that has not changed since now I never imagined when
changed since now I never imagined when
changed since now I never imagined when I started this organization that might
I started this organization that might
I started this organization that might just help the person next door might
just help the person next door might
just help the person next door might just help a couple of people in East
just help a couple of people in East
just help a couple of people in East Tennessee that we would have such a
Tennessee that we would have such a
Tennessee that we would have such a amazing opportunity to nudge the world
amazing opportunity to nudge the world
amazing opportunity to nudge the world without a little bit of a growth curve
without a little bit of a growth curve
without a little bit of a growth curve over the years and to think that in the
over the years and to think that in the
over the years and to think that in the first few years we were serving a few
first few years we were serving a few
first few years we were serving a few thousand people and last year we served
thousand people and last year we served
thousand people and last year we served over a hundred and two thousand people
over a hundred and two thousand people
over a hundred and two thousand people nationwide is really daunting really
nationwide is really daunting really
nationwide is really daunting really exciting and really terrifying all at
exciting and really terrifying all at
exciting and really terrifying all at the same time as you grow something and
the same time as you grow something and
the same time as you grow something and create something but the idea that
create something but the idea that
create something but the idea that knowing that our community has helped
knowing that our community has helped
knowing that our community has helped almost 300,000 people with that moment
almost 300,000 people with that moment
almost 300,000 people with that moment of kindness and there’s growing at a
of kindness and there’s growing at a
of kindness and there’s growing at a rate of ten or fifteen thousand more
rate of ten or fifteen thousand more
rate of ten or fifteen thousand more people every single month is really
people every single month is really
people every single month is really something I’m very proud of and very
something I’m very proud of and very
something I’m very proud of and very excited about I want to take a minute to
excited about I want to take a minute to
excited about I want to take a minute to look below the surface a little bit and
look below the surface a little bit and
look below the surface a little bit and find out more about why this means so
find out more about why this means so
find out more about why this means so much and why it is so universal health
much and why it is so universal health
much and why it is so universal health care health care itself is really
care health care itself is really
care health care itself is really fascinating I have been in every shape
fascinating I have been in every shape
fascinating I have been in every shape or place as a consumer of health care
or place as a consumer of health care
or place as a consumer of health care I’ve been a worried father I’ve been a
I’ve been a worried father I’ve been a
I’ve been a worried father I’ve been a coach and a mentor to others I have been
coach and a mentor to others I have been
coach and a mentor to others I have been a really confused patient a lot of times
a really confused patient a lot of times
a really confused patient a lot of times and something that is really amazing to
and something that is really amazing to
and something that is really amazing to me is that how much of health care
me is that how much of health care
me is that how much of health care focuses on the physical and not on the
focuses on the physical and not on the
focuses on the physical and not on the emotional and not on the mental state
emotional and not on the mental state
emotional and not on the mental state and we know that this connects to this
and we know that this connects to this
and we know that this connects to this which connects to everything else and
which connects to everything else and
which connects to everything else and how much we never talk about that and I
how much we never talk about that and I
how much we never talk about that and I hope that there’s a shift in the coming
hope that there’s a shift in the coming
hope that there’s a shift in the coming days it’s amazing what it can do an
days it’s amazing what it can do an
days it’s amazing what it can do an emotional level I want you to hear
emotional level I want you to hear
emotional level I want you to hear something that might express why and how
something that might express why and how
something that might express why and how something like this can make an impact
something like this can make an impact
something like this can make an impact on someone hi my name is Jason at Saint
on someone hi my name is Jason at Saint
on someone hi my name is Jason at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago and I just
Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago and I just
Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago and I just wanted to thank you for the flowers I
wanted to thank you for the flowers I
wanted to thank you for the flowers I got them on Tuesday shortly after it was
got them on Tuesday shortly after it was
got them on Tuesday shortly after it was admitted and I had had a very difficult
admitted and I had had a very difficult
admitted and I had had a very difficult day and they still look incredibly
day and they still look incredibly
day and they still look incredibly beautiful and they’re one of the nice
beautiful and they’re one of the nice
beautiful and they’re one of the nice things that’s happen to me since I’ve
things that’s happen to me since I’ve
things that’s happen to me since I’ve been here so thank you very much we get
been here so thank you very much we get
been here so thank you very much we get cards and letters and emails every day
cards and letters and emails every day
cards and letters and emails every day saying you’d have no idea what this
saying you’d have no idea what this
saying you’d have no idea what this meant something so simple can change my
meant something so simple can change my
meant something so simple can change my day in my perspective we know that there
day in my perspective we know that there
day in my perspective we know that there is more to giving flowers than it’s just
is more to giving flowers than it’s just
is more to giving flowers than it’s just nice we really do we have empirical we
nice we really do we have empirical we
nice we really do we have empirical we have medical evidence we have lots of
have medical evidence we have lots of
have medical evidence we have lots of the data in 2001 a Rutgers University
the data in 2001 a Rutgers University
the data in 2001 a Rutgers University study found that flowers ease depression
study found that flowers ease depression
study found that flowers ease depression improve social interaction enhance
improve social interaction enhance
improve social interaction enhance memory in ages of 55 and older another
memory in ages of 55 and older another
memory in ages of 55 and older another study at Harvard University and at UMass
study at Harvard University and at UMass
study at Harvard University and at UMass found that not only does receiving
found that not only does receiving
found that not only does receiving flowers have health benefits but simply
flowers have health benefits but simply
flowers have health benefits but simply displaying French fresh-cut flowers in
displaying French fresh-cut flowers in
displaying French fresh-cut flowers in the home increases feelings of
the home increases feelings of
the home increases feelings of compassion decreases anxiety both energy
compassion decreases anxiety both energy
compassion decreases anxiety both energy and enthusiasm another study in 2009 by
and enthusiasm another study in 2009 by
and enthusiasm another study in 2009 by Kansas State found that patients in the
Kansas State found that patients in the
Kansas State found that patients in the rooms of plants and flowers had
rooms of plants and flowers had
rooms of plants and flowers had significantly shorter hospitalizations
significantly shorter hospitalizations
significantly shorter hospitalizations lower rates of pain anxiety fatigue and
lower rates of pain anxiety fatigue and
lower rates of pain anxiety fatigue and more positive feelings and right here at
more positive feelings and right here at
more positive feelings and right here at home an empirical study was done in 2016
home an empirical study was done in 2016
home an empirical study was done in 2016 on us at the University of Tennessee
on us at the University of Tennessee
on us at the University of Tennessee Medical Center and they specifically
Medical Center and they specifically
Medical Center and they specifically confirmed a couple of really amazing
confirmed a couple of really amazing
confirmed a couple of really amazing things the impact that we had on the
things the impact that we had on the
things the impact that we had on the emotional wellness of medical patients
emotional wellness of medical patients
emotional wellness of medical patients almost 95% of people that they surveyed
almost 95% of people that they surveyed
almost 95% of people that they surveyed self-reported that an unexpected
self-reported that an unexpected
self-reported that an unexpected delivery of flowers from our
delivery of flowers from our
delivery of flowers from our organization improved their
organization improved their
organization improved their all emotional state and 74% they were
all emotional state and 74% they were
all emotional state and 74% they were reported extreme improvement and you’d
reported extreme improvement and you’d
reported extreme improvement and you’d think wow this is really working but
think wow this is really working but
think wow this is really working but here’s the thing that really kicked me
here’s the thing that really kicked me
here’s the thing that really kicked me on this
on this
on this the study also reaffirmed that we are
the study also reaffirmed that we are
the study also reaffirmed that we are serving patients who are typically not
serving patients who are typically not
serving patients who are typically not getting any emotional connection beyond
getting any emotional connection beyond
getting any emotional connection beyond the immediate caregivers eighty-one
the immediate caregivers eighty-one
the immediate caregivers eighty-one percent of people reported they had not
percent of people reported they had not
percent of people reported they had not received other gifts of flowers from
received other gifts of flowers from
received other gifts of flowers from anyone else during their stay and 11%
anyone else during their stay and 11%
anyone else during their stay and 11% let me repeat that 11 percent said we
let me repeat that 11 percent said we
let me repeat that 11 percent said we were the only person that they saw
were the only person that they saw
were the only person that they saw during their stay the only visitor they
during their stay the only visitor they
during their stay the only visitor they had and the emolia motional connection
had and the emolia motional connection
had and the emolia motional connection to the outside world that is both
to the outside world that is both
to the outside world that is both daunting and inspiring to me and that’s
daunting and inspiring to me and that’s
daunting and inspiring to me and that’s what we work on every day now if you
what we work on every day now if you
what we work on every day now if you will for just a second I’m gonna ask
will for just a second I’m gonna ask
will for just a second I’m gonna ask everybody to close their eyes for just
everybody to close their eyes for just
everybody to close their eyes for just one second imagine you’re in a hospital
one second imagine you’re in a hospital
one second imagine you’re in a hospital imagine you’re in a nursing home
imagine you’re in a nursing home
imagine you’re in a nursing home imagine you’re all alone
imagine you’re all alone
imagine you’re all alone perhaps you’re scared maybe you’re sad
perhaps you’re scared maybe you’re sad
perhaps you’re scared maybe you’re sad maybe you’re nervous what would it mean
maybe you’re nervous what would it mean
maybe you’re nervous what would it mean for a visitor to walk in the door with a
for a visitor to walk in the door with a
for a visitor to walk in the door with a bouquet of flowers
area code six five zero two point five
area code six five zero two point five three five one
three five one
three five one Nicole bag is necessary it’s just I
Nicole bag is necessary it’s just I
Nicole bag is necessary it’s just I wanted to thank you random acts of
wanted to thank you random acts of
wanted to thank you random acts of flowers
flowers
flowers you live at a beautiful time to me I was
you live at a beautiful time to me I was
you live at a beautiful time to me I was not expecting any lovely it’s green and
not expecting any lovely it’s green and
not expecting any lovely it’s green and white with touches of purple and it’s
white with touches of purple and it’s
white with touches of purple and it’s certainly a bright in this room and
certainly a bright in this room and
certainly a bright in this room and makes me feel cheerful never so kind I
makes me feel cheerful never so kind I
makes me feel cheerful never so kind I do want to thank a charitable
do want to thank a charitable
do want to thank a charitable organization maybe feel really happy
organization maybe feel really happy
organization maybe feel really happy thank you so much right now even though
thank you so much right now even though
thank you so much right now even though that’s sped up a little bit from what
that’s sped up a little bit from what
that’s sped up a little bit from what the original voicemail was thank you for
the original voicemail was thank you for
the original voicemail was thank you for remembering me
remembering me
remembering me thank you for knowing I’m here that’s
thank you for knowing I’m here that’s
thank you for knowing I’m here that’s the power of giving flowers and that’s
the power of giving flowers and that’s
the power of giving flowers and that’s the power of the human connection that
the power of the human connection that
the power of the human connection that we serve every day something so simple
we serve every day something so simple
we serve every day something so simple and so powerful as it was said in my
and so powerful as it was said in my
and so powerful as it was said in my introduction I just truly believe and I
introduction I just truly believe and I
introduction I just truly believe and I know that the giving of flowers is one
know that the giving of flowers is one
know that the giving of flowers is one of the most universal gestures that cuts
of the most universal gestures that cuts
of the most universal gestures that cuts across all races religions genders
across all races religions genders
across all races religions genders income levels language barriers I have
income levels language barriers I have
income levels language barriers I have given thousands and thousand
given thousands and thousand
given thousands and thousand two bouquets and they have been to the
two bouquets and they have been to the
two bouquets and they have been to the grumpiest old men or the sweetest little
grumpiest old men or the sweetest little
grumpiest old men or the sweetest little girls or the visitor that is an
girls or the visitor that is an
girls or the visitor that is an unexpected person at the at the moment
unexpected person at the at the moment
unexpected person at the at the moment of our impact and every type of person
of our impact and every type of person
of our impact and every type of person you can imagine it always results in one
you can imagine it always results in one
you can imagine it always results in one thing a smile
thing a smile
thing a smile I asked hope when she came out here look
I asked hope when she came out here look
I asked hope when she came out here look at the audience when you walk out with a
at the audience when you walk out with a
at the audience when you walk out with a bouquet of flowers and see how many
bouquet of flowers and see how many
bouquet of flowers and see how many people are smiling in this audience
people are smiling in this audience
people are smiling in this audience right now I guarantee you is most of you
when I say that this is a universal
when I say that this is a universal gesture I really mean it and it was
gesture I really mean it and it was
gesture I really mean it and it was impacted it was in embedded in me in one
impacted it was in embedded in me in one
impacted it was in embedded in me in one day when I knew that it transcended even
day when I knew that it transcended even
day when I knew that it transcended even disabilities I went to Little Creek up
disabilities I went to Little Creek up
disabilities I went to Little Creek up the road several years ago and this is
the road several years ago and this is
the road several years ago and this is the actual picture and this nurse here
the actual picture and this nurse here
the actual picture and this nurse here is her name is Gina we went to college
is her name is Gina we went to college
is her name is Gina we went to college here at the University of Tennessee
here at the University of Tennessee
here at the University of Tennessee funny enough in theater department and I
funny enough in theater department and I
funny enough in theater department and I was there and we were doing a delivery
was there and we were doing a delivery
was there and we were doing a delivery and Gina said grab the most fragrant
and Gina said grab the most fragrant
and Gina said grab the most fragrant flowers on the cart I’ve got a great
flowers on the cart I’ve got a great
flowers on the cart I’ve got a great delivery for you and I don’t know much
delivery for you and I don’t know much
delivery for you and I don’t know much about flowers ironically enough so I
about flowers ironically enough so I
about flowers ironically enough so I stood there a little dumbfounded and so
stood there a little dumbfounded and so
stood there a little dumbfounded and so she said here take this and so she said
she said here take this and so she said
she said here take this and so she said come on and we walked towards this room
come on and we walked towards this room
come on and we walked towards this room and she stopped me and she said she’s
and she stopped me and she said she’s
and she stopped me and she said she’s blind and I was caught off guard I
blind and I was caught off guard I
blind and I was caught off guard I didn’t know I’d never been in a
didn’t know I’d never been in a
didn’t know I’d never been in a situation like this I didn’t know what
situation like this I didn’t know what
situation like this I didn’t know what to do one of our earlier speakers talked
to do one of our earlier speakers talked
to do one of our earlier speakers talked about this I was caught off guard I had
about this I was caught off guard I had
about this I was caught off guard I had never given flowers to a blind person
never given flowers to a blind person
never given flowers to a blind person before she said come on and we walked in
before she said come on and we walked in
before she said come on and we walked in the room and in the corner was this
the room and in the corner was this
the room and in the corner was this woman and she sat up out of her chair
woman and she sat up out of her chair
woman and she sat up out of her chair and she said those are stargazer lilies
and she said those are stargazer lilies
and she said those are stargazer lilies she smelled them immediately and every
she smelled them immediately and every
she smelled them immediately and every step we walked into the room you could
step we walked into the room you could
step we walked into the room you could have pumped life into her as she sat up
have pumped life into her as she sat up
have pumped life into her as she sat up and she smelled the flowers and she held
and she smelled the flowers and she held
and she smelled the flowers and she held our hands and she touched the flowers
our hands and she touched the flowers
our hands and she touched the flowers and she told us how she was a gardener
and she told us how she was a gardener
and she told us how she was a gardener in which she told us of the amazing
in which she told us of the amazing
in which she told us of the amazing memories of her life and she couldn’t
memories of her life and she couldn’t
memories of her life and she couldn’t see him but it didn’t matter how do you
see him but it didn’t matter how do you
see him but it didn’t matter how do you put a price on bringing a memory back to
put a price on bringing a memory back to
put a price on bringing a memory back to somebody and delivering that and that
somebody and delivering that and that
somebody and delivering that and that was really cool
was really cool
was really cool I offer you one last story one last bit
I offer you one last story one last bit
I offer you one last story one last bit of evidence that the power of flowers
of evidence that the power of flowers
of evidence that the power of flowers can be healing for everybody involved
can be healing for everybody involved
can be healing for everybody involved the giver and the receiver and I’ll
the giver and the receiver and I’ll
the giver and the receiver and I’ll share with you my aha moment where
share with you my aha moment where
share with you my aha moment where several years ago we had a large wedding
several years ago we had a large wedding
several years ago we had a large wedding season lots of red roses and I was at
season lots of red roses and I was at
season lots of red roses and I was at one of our partner hospitals and one of
one of our partner hospitals and one of
one of our partner hospitals and one of the nurses came down to the hall and she
the nurses came down to the hall and she
the nurses came down to the hall and she said Larsen Larsen Larsen one of my
said Larsen Larsen Larsen one of my
said Larsen Larsen Larsen one of my patients is on the list she hasn’t had a
patients is on the list she hasn’t had a
patients is on the list she hasn’t had a visitor in two weeks I don’t expect her
visitor in two weeks I don’t expect her
visitor in two weeks I don’t expect her to live another week you got to give her
to live another week you got to give her
to live another week you got to give her flowers it’s a great I picked up a big
flowers it’s a great I picked up a big
flowers it’s a great I picked up a big bouquet of red roses I knocked on the
bouquet of red roses I knocked on the
bouquet of red roses I knocked on the door I said hi I have a delivery for you
door I said hi I have a delivery for you
door I said hi I have a delivery for you I poked my head in very frail elderly
I poked my head in very frail elderly
I poked my head in very frail elderly woman and she put her hand up and she
woman and she put her hand up and she
woman and she put her hand up and she said those are not for me you have the
said those are not for me you have the
said those are not for me you have the wrong room I said I don’t have the right
wrong room I said I don’t have the right
wrong room I said I don’t have the right wrong room they are for you I insisted I
wrong room they are for you I insisted I
wrong room they are for you I insisted I started to walk in and she put her hand
started to walk in and she put her hand
started to walk in and she put her hand up again she said there’s a mistake
up again she said there’s a mistake
up again she said there’s a mistake those are not my flowers they’re not for
those are not my flowers they’re not for
those are not my flowers they’re not for me
me
me the only person ever to refuse me twice
the only person ever to refuse me twice
the only person ever to refuse me twice in a situation like this I said they are
in a situation like this I said they are
in a situation like this I said they are for you and I insisted on giving her the
for you and I insisted on giving her the
for you and I insisted on giving her the flowers and as soon as she grabbed the
flowers and as soon as she grabbed the
flowers and as soon as she grabbed the bouquet it was like a vessel for the
bouquet it was like a vessel for the
bouquet it was like a vessel for the biggest emotional drop you’ve ever seen
biggest emotional drop you’ve ever seen
biggest emotional drop you’ve ever seen tears and joy and laughing and smiling
tears and joy and laughing and smiling
tears and joy and laughing and smiling and crying and and it was unbelievable
and crying and and it was unbelievable
and crying and and it was unbelievable as I watched her look at those and she
as I watched her look at those and she
as I watched her look at those and she mumbled something something about hadn’t
mumbled something something about hadn’t
mumbled something something about hadn’t getting gotten flowers I couldn’t quite
getting gotten flowers I couldn’t quite
getting gotten flowers I couldn’t quite hear and I said excuse me could you
hear and I said excuse me could you
hear and I said excuse me could you please repeat that she grabs my arm she
please repeat that she grabs my arm she
please repeat that she grabs my arm she looks right through me and she says you
looks right through me and she says you
looks right through me and she says you don’t understand no man has ever given
don’t understand no man has ever given
don’t understand no man has ever given me roses in my entire life you don’t
me roses in my entire life you don’t
me roses in my entire life you don’t know what this means and I was crying
know what this means and I was crying
know what this means and I was crying and she was crying we were mess we had a
and she was crying we were mess we had a
and she was crying we were mess we had a great moment and I stood outside that
great moment and I stood outside that
great moment and I stood outside that room and I said wow we just change
room and I said wow we just change
room and I said wow we just change somebody’s life after 94 years and we
somebody’s life after 94 years and we
somebody’s life after 94 years and we did it with somebody else’s garbage
did it with somebody else’s garbage
did it with somebody else’s garbage that’s cool and that’s why I’m all in
that’s cool and that’s why I’m all in
that’s cool and that’s why I’m all in take a moment today take a moment this
take a moment today take a moment this
take a moment today take a moment this week during a really critical holiday
week during a really critical holiday
week during a really critical holiday and think about somebody think about
and think about somebody think about
and think about somebody think about somebody with flowers go sit down with
somebody with flowers go sit down with
somebody with flowers go sit down with them make the human connection change
them make the human connection change
them make the human connection change the world smile thank you
”
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