On November 24th, 2013 I shared a talk
at TEDxYouth@SanDiego, live online and in front of 400 teenagers from around
San Diego, including students from my own classroom and school. My high school, Canyon Crest Academy, has
hosted this TEDx event the past three years.
The talk was about my recent speech struggles, the Parkinson’s
medication that I now take daily, and the lessons I have learned through this experience,
some of which I have written about on this blog. For me, it was an awesome opportunity that
teachers rarely have to share in an appropriate, vulnerable, and heartfelt way
with students. It was also a chance for
me to try to continue to push through my new fear of public speaking.
I would be honored if you would take the time to watch and share
the posted talk above with your friends and family through email and social
media. I think it has a universal theme
of hope, acceptance, and finding your true self that can be encouraging to
anyone in any struggle. I also hope it
will have special meaning to anyone in education, those who have ever struggled with their
speech, and speech therapists who work with patients who stutter. My speech therapist was amazing and had the
opportunity to be in the audience when I gave this talk. Below is a portion of the letter I sent to
the student and adult organizers of TEDxYouth@SanDiego that best conveys what
this experience was like for me.
Dear TEDxYouth@SanDiego Team,
I cannot begin to express how special that moment on stage was
for me. That was my first time to give a planned public speech in over three
years. And, while I said I was “practically terrified,” scared to death would
probably be more accurate. I will never forget the love I felt in the room at
every turn in my story. The standing ovation was unbelievable, overwhelmingly
beautiful, and a life highlight. I just wanted to jump off stage and crowd surf
in the joy of that moment. I was extremely touched by the words of affirmation
I heard from all of you and the students from other schools, many of whom
shared their own life struggles with me in one-on-one conversations, following
the talk. That was a huge honor.
I hope you realize that CCA is like no other school. I went to a
ton of schools growing up because my family moved a lot, and I have worked as a
teacher at six. I know that the main reason I was able to overcome the
adversity I experienced in these past years was due to my faith, my family and
friends, and the students, faculty, and community at CCA. I believe I was
divinely placed at this school for such a time as this. When I hated the sound
of my voice and dreaded leaving the house each day, knowing that I was coming
to CCA helped me keep going.
I hope, if nothing else, you see this underlying truth behind
the story I shared: you are not alone in times of adversity. We need each
other. In safe, trusting, and caring community, vulnerability is necessary and
healing. If those close to you don’t know you are hurting, they cannot help.
When I was forced by unforeseen circumstances to share with the students in my
class my personal struggle, it was transformational for them and for me. I hope
you know you have that community in our school. Your administrators and
teachers care about you more than you can imagine. Trust me, I’m one of them,
and I’m one of your biggest fans.
Thank you again for this UNLIMITED opportunity. I was humbled
and honored to be a part of such an amazing day of BIG IDEAS.
Sincerely,
Mark Raines
You're an inspiration, Mark. Well said!
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