I could evening ladies and gentlemen thank you very much for having me
thank you very much for having me
thank you very much for having me tonight I remember when I was in the
tonight I remember when I was in the
tonight I remember when I was in the audience
audience
audience / TEDx events and there was this girl on
/ TEDx events and there was this girl on
/ TEDx events and there was this girl on stage same age as me
stage same age as me
stage same age as me and she was giving this amazing talk and
and she was giving this amazing talk and
and she was giving this amazing talk and I thought wow one day I want to stand
I thought wow one day I want to stand
I thought wow one day I want to stand there as well one day I want to share
there as well one day I want to share
there as well one day I want to share and aspire people just like her now
and aspire people just like her now
and aspire people just like her now don’t get me wrong I never intended to
don’t get me wrong I never intended to
don’t get me wrong I never intended to give a TEDx talk but I did intend to
give a TEDx talk but I did intend to
give a TEDx talk but I did intend to achieve something that was worth sharing
achieve something that was worth sharing
achieve something that was worth sharing and inspiring people now for the first
and inspiring people now for the first
and inspiring people now for the first time I’m standing here and as you can
time I’m standing here and as you can
time I’m standing here and as you can see if you really want something you can
see if you really want something you can
see if you really want something you can achieve it with the right amount of
achieve it with the right amount of
achieve it with the right amount of willpower and focus and that’s what I’ll
willpower and focus and that’s what I’ll
willpower and focus and that’s what I’ll be talking about today willpower and
be talking about today willpower and
be talking about today willpower and focus now I’m Mary Mary Valen Brooke I’m
focus now I’m Mary Mary Valen Brooke I’m
focus now I’m Mary Mary Valen Brooke I’m 24 years old and last year I found my
24 years old and last year I found my
24 years old and last year I found my company my Adam now with my Adam we
company my Adam now with my Adam we
company my Adam now with my Adam we pimped crutches and wheelchairs not only
pimped crutches and wheelchairs not only
pimped crutches and wheelchairs not only to make them look better but also to
to make them look better but also to
to make them look better but also to make them more comfortable and that we
make them more comfortable and that we
make them more comfortable and that we do by designing Universal add-ons that
do by designing Universal add-ons that
do by designing Universal add-ons that fit onto any crutch or any wheelchair
fit onto any crutch or any wheelchair
fit onto any crutch or any wheelchair that might sound a bit complex but when
that might sound a bit complex but when
that might sound a bit complex but when I show you my first product you’ll see
I show you my first product you’ll see
I show you my first product you’ll see it’s quite simple now this is my sleeve
it’s quite simple now this is my sleeve
it’s quite simple now this is my sleeve so just sleeves not the crutches and the
so just sleeves not the crutches and the
so just sleeves not the crutches and the my sleeves they saw the two biggest
my sleeves they saw the two biggest
my sleeves they saw the two biggest frustrations of users of crutches which
frustrations of users of crutches which
frustrations of users of crutches which is one the saw hands really saw hands
is one the saw hands really saw hands
is one the saw hands really saw hands and to the falling and clumsy crutches
and to the falling and clumsy crutches
and to the falling and clumsy crutches now how did I solve that well for the
now how did I solve that well for the
now how did I solve that well for the saw hands we integrated the gel patch
saw hands we integrated the gel patch
saw hands we integrated the gel patch and this gel patch divides the pressure
and this gel patch divides the pressure
and this gel patch divides the pressure points of your hands equally so don’t
points of your hands equally so don’t
points of your hands equally so don’t have to worry for any blisters anymore
have to worry for any blisters anymore
have to worry for any blisters anymore so how did we solve the falling crutches
so how did we solve the falling crutches
so how did we solve the falling crutches well we also integrated little magnets
well we also integrated little magnets
well we also integrated little magnets on top in here which makes sure that
on top in here which makes sure that
on top in here which makes sure that your curtain the crutches can be divided
your curtain the crutches can be divided
your curtain the crutches can be divided like this and you can just easily free
like this and you can just easily free
like this and you can just easily free your hands or you can just put them away
your hands or you can just put them away
your hands or you can just put them away so you don’t need them anymore
so you don’t need them anymore
so you don’t need them anymore and they won’t fall simple as
and they won’t fall simple as
and they won’t fall simple as that now do you know what the first
that now do you know what the first
that now do you know what the first thing is that people say when they see
thing is that people say when they see
thing is that people say when they see the my sleeves why didn’t I think of
the my sleeves why didn’t I think of
the my sleeves why didn’t I think of that well I’ll tell you why when I was
that well I’ll tell you why when I was
that well I’ll tell you why when I was nine years old I remember me sitting at
nine years old I remember me sitting at
nine years old I remember me sitting at the kitchen table with my six year older
the kitchen table with my six year older
the kitchen table with my six year older sister and I was preparing my favorite
sister and I was preparing my favorite
sister and I was preparing my favorite lunch which was a sandwich which with
lunch which was a sandwich which with
lunch which was a sandwich which with some cheese some cucumber and a little
some cheese some cucumber and a little
some cheese some cucumber and a little bit of mayo
bit of mayo
bit of mayo now as a child I was a bit frustrated
now as a child I was a bit frustrated
now as a child I was a bit frustrated because I really loved cucumber but my
because I really loved cucumber but my
because I really loved cucumber but my bread was rectangular and my cucumber
bread was rectangular and my cucumber
bread was rectangular and my cucumber slices were round so I had many empty
slices were round so I had many empty
slices were round so I had many empty gaps like this now I asked myself how
gaps like this now I asked myself how
gaps like this now I asked myself how can I solve that well I just focused for
can I solve that well I just focused for
can I solve that well I just focused for a moment and I took my first two slices
a moment and I took my first two slices
a moment and I took my first two slices and put them on my bread like this and
and put them on my bread like this and
and put them on my bread like this and then I took my next two slices and
then I took my next two slices and
then I took my next two slices and before putting them on my bread I first
before putting them on my bread I first
before putting them on my bread I first took a bite out of both of them and then
took a bite out of both of them and then
took a bite out of both of them and then I puzzled them into the other ones like
I puzzled them into the other ones like
I puzzled them into the other ones like this and of course because I really
this and of course because I really
this and of course because I really really love cucumber I added two more
really love cucumber I added two more
really love cucumber I added two more like this and like that my initial goal
like this and like that my initial goal
like this and like that my initial goal was solved I wanted to fill those empty
was solved I wanted to fill those empty
was solved I wanted to fill those empty gaps with more cucumber so it’s happy it
gaps with more cucumber so it’s happy it
gaps with more cucumber so it’s happy it worked
worked
worked and I’ll tell you did some secrets today
and I’ll tell you did some secrets today
and I’ll tell you did some secrets today I’m 24 and I still eat my sandwich like
I’m 24 and I still eat my sandwich like
I’m 24 and I still eat my sandwich like this and I assure you every time I pass
this and I assure you every time I pass
this and I assure you every time I pass all my little pieces of cucumber into
all my little pieces of cucumber into
all my little pieces of cucumber into the other ones I get this little feeling
the other ones I get this little feeling
the other ones I get this little feeling of joy every time again so it really
of joy every time again so it really
of joy every time again so it really recommends you trying this sometimes now
recommends you trying this sometimes now
recommends you trying this sometimes now my sister got used to me doing this but
my sister got used to me doing this but
my sister got used to me doing this but the way I ate my sandwich she just
the way I ate my sandwich she just
the way I ate my sandwich she just couldn’t believe as you know I really
couldn’t believe as you know I really
couldn’t believe as you know I really love cucumber so when I’m eating my
love cucumber so when I’m eating my
love cucumber so when I’m eating my sandwich and my slice is keep falling
sandwich and my slice is keep falling
sandwich and my slice is keep falling out I didn’t really like that
out I didn’t really like that
out I didn’t really like that so I’m sure you’ll recognize this image
so I’m sure you’ll recognize this image
so I’m sure you’ll recognize this image so what did I do i again focus for a
so what did I do i again focus for a
so what did I do i again focus for a moment and I thought how could I stop
moment and I thought how could I stop
moment and I thought how could I stop those slices from falling out and then I
those slices from falling out and then I
those slices from falling out and then I had it I just simply turned my sandwich
had it I just simply turned my sandwich
had it I just simply turned my sandwich around like this so for me this was a
around like this so for me this was a
around like this so for me this was a logical way of eating but according to
logical way of eating but according to
logical way of eating but according to my sister it was weird and you know what
my sister it was weird and you know what
my sister it was weird and you know what she was right
she was right
she was right it is weird I’d actually never ever seen
it is weird I’d actually never ever seen
it is weird I’d actually never ever seen anyone do that before and that’s what’s
anyone do that before and that’s what’s
anyone do that before and that’s what’s wrong we shouldn’t blindly follow what
wrong we shouldn’t blindly follow what
wrong we shouldn’t blindly follow what other people do we should ask questions
other people do we should ask questions
other people do we should ask questions why are we doing the things that we do
why are we doing the things that we do
why are we doing the things that we do in the way that we do can’t they be done
in the way that we do can’t they be done
in the way that we do can’t they be done another way that might be more efficient
another way that might be more efficient
another way that might be more efficient the answer often is yes so why don’t we
the answer often is yes so why don’t we
the answer often is yes so why don’t we think like that because we think in
think like that because we think in
think like that because we think in boxes now that’s something we instantly
boxes now that’s something we instantly
boxes now that’s something we instantly do the moments we meet or even see
do the moments we meet or even see
do the moments we meet or even see someone we instantly put them in certain
someone we instantly put them in certain
someone we instantly put them in certain boxes and I’ll show you the moment I
boxes and I’ll show you the moment I
boxes and I’ll show you the moment I walked on this stage tonight you’ve put
walked on this stage tonight you’ve put
walked on this stage tonight you’ve put me at least two boxes the first female
me at least two boxes the first female
me at least two boxes the first female now that’s something we are programmed
now that’s something we are programmed
now that’s something we are programmed to do we instantly decide whether
to do we instantly decide whether
to do we instantly decide whether someone is male or female even though
someone is male or female even though
someone is male or female even though it’s not relevant at all so why do we do
it’s not relevant at all so why do we do
it’s not relevant at all so why do we do that because if we have to describe
that because if we have to describe
that because if we have to describe someone and we don’t know whether he’s a
someone and we don’t know whether he’s a
someone and we don’t know whether he’s a male or female how should we dress them
male or female how should we dress them
male or female how should we dress them is it a she or he the fact that we don’t
is it a she or he the fact that we don’t
is it a she or he the fact that we don’t know makes us feel insecure and that’s
know makes us feel insecure and that’s
know makes us feel insecure and that’s why we do that now the second box you’ve
why we do that now the second box you’ve
why we do that now the second box you’ve probably put me in is young as some
probably put me in is young as some
probably put me in is young as some define young as energetic and motivated
define young as energetic and motivated
define young as energetic and motivated creative but others define young as an
creative but others define young as an
creative but others define young as an experienced not very wise and depending
experienced not very wise and depending
experienced not very wise and depending on what definition that you gave that
on what definition that you gave that
on what definition that you gave that box you interpret the things that I say
box you interpret the things that I say
box you interpret the things that I say very differently now you’ve put me in
very differently now you’ve put me in
very differently now you’ve put me in two boxes that’s alright I won’t blame
two boxes that’s alright I won’t blame
two boxes that’s alright I won’t blame you but you should know that you put
you but you should know that you put
you but you should know that you put yourself in boxes too and that’s a shame
yourself in boxes too and that’s a shame
yourself in boxes too and that’s a shame a few months ago I was doing my user
a few months ago I was doing my user
a few months ago I was doing my user tests within my sleeve
tests within my sleeve
tests within my sleeve and people had to really mount a sleeve
and people had to really mount a sleeve
and people had to really mount a sleeve onto their crutch and I discovered that
onto their crutch and I discovered that
onto their crutch and I discovered that some people though most people had
some people though most people had
some people though most people had already put himself in the clumsy box so
already put himself in the clumsy box so
already put himself in the clumsy box so they wouldn’t even try they’d rather ask
they wouldn’t even try they’d rather ask
they wouldn’t even try they’d rather ask someone else to do it for them than to
someone else to do it for them than to
someone else to do it for them than to even try so I said no I encouraged them
even try so I said no I encouraged them
even try so I said no I encouraged them to really focus take a moment and focus
to really focus take a moment and focus
to really focus take a moment and focus on that problem you know what they could
on that problem you know what they could
on that problem you know what they could do it you only limit yourself by putting
do it you only limit yourself by putting
do it you only limit yourself by putting yourself in those boxes just imagine
yourself in those boxes just imagine
yourself in those boxes just imagine what you could do if you could be any
what you could do if you could be any
what you could do if you could be any box you want if you could build bridges
box you want if you could build bridges
box you want if you could build bridges to any box you want now I’ve invented
to any box you want now I’ve invented
to any box you want now I’ve invented the my sleeve but to be fair you don’t
the my sleeve but to be fair you don’t
the my sleeve but to be fair you don’t have to be an engineer to do that we all
have to be an engineer to do that we all
have to be an engineer to do that we all know what a gel pad does and we all know
know what a gel pad does and we all know
know what a gel pad does and we all know what a magnet does you just have to put
what a magnet does you just have to put
what a magnet does you just have to put those things together anyone can do it
those things together anyone can do it
those things together anyone can do it if you only have the willpower and focus
if you only have the willpower and focus
if you only have the willpower and focus to do it now next time when you eat your
to do it now next time when you eat your
to do it now next time when you eat your bread with cucumber think of me think of
bread with cucumber think of me think of
bread with cucumber think of me think of how easily a little change can solve a
how easily a little change can solve a
how easily a little change can solve a big problem for me building bridges is
big problem for me building bridges is
big problem for me building bridges is about learning it is about pushing your
about learning it is about pushing your
about learning it is about pushing your own boundaries and you only need two
own boundaries and you only need two
own boundaries and you only need two main ingredients to do that willpower
main ingredients to do that willpower
main ingredients to do that willpower and focus now before I go I’d like to
and focus now before I go I’d like to
and focus now before I go I’d like to give you a little challenge just pick
give you a little challenge just pick
give you a little challenge just pick any problem that frustrates you every
any problem that frustrates you every
any problem that frustrates you every day in your kitchen at your desk in your
day in your kitchen at your desk in your
day in your kitchen at your desk in your house and just focus for a moment on
house and just focus for a moment on
house and just focus for a moment on that problem do together with your
that problem do together with your
that problem do together with your children your partner or even alone
children your partner or even alone
children your partner or even alone just focus ask yourself the right
just focus ask yourself the right
just focus ask yourself the right questions and you’ll see a smart
questions and you’ll see a smart
questions and you’ll see a smart solution is never far away
solution is never far away
solution is never far away I am Marie and for me you can forget all
I am Marie and for me you can forget all
I am Marie and for me you can forget all I’ve said tonight but I would like you
I’ve said tonight but I would like you
I’ve said tonight but I would like you to remember two words one will power and
to remember two words one will power and
to remember two words one will power and to focus thank you very much
to focus thank you very much
to focus thank you very much [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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