By Wendy Crawford

Back in late February of this year, I received a phone call from my sister-in-law, excited because she had recommended that I be a speaker at a TEDx, Traverse City, Michigan. The night before, she had been at a party and met a previous speaker and he was looking for potential nominees. Although, I appreciated her enthusiasm and support, I was wondering what was expected of me and could I pull it off. For those of you not familiar, TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. Depending on the location, some TEDx conferences recruit speakers through nominations and others may nominate themselves but must go through a rigorous process to be chosen.
After sending my biography and going through three different interviews over the phone, I was accepted as a speaker. I was so honored but at the same time, I had mixed emotions as I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and the anxiety started to kick in. Two of the people that interviewed me had been previous speakers and both had said that it was an amazing experience but also pushed them to their limits. Both of these men were heads of huge companies and so I thought if it was a stretch for them, how was I going to do this? I did public speaking years ago when I was first injured as I was a victim of a drunk driving accident but in a way, that was easier because I was just telling my story to students and community groups and answering questions. This was different as I was speaking with incredible movers and shakers AND I was to create something that shifted the way people think. I'm not an astronaut discussing my latest voyage to another planet nor a scientist who has created a world changing invention!
One day I had an epiphany and decided to Google "How to do a good TED talk" and came across a very helpful video. My take away from that was that an effective speaker, is passionate about the subject and speaks from the heart. I knew that my journey has been fairly unique but I wanted it to be more than that and then a thought came to me – I was having a difficult time because I kept comparing myself to others instead of just being me and listening to myself. I realized that we all do that at points of our lives and thought maybe I was onto something! So I started to put together a framework and each day while I was walking the dog or watching television, ideas would pop into my mind so I would tap on Siri and leave random thoughts on my phone.
During this long process, fate would have it that a former college professor contacted me just to say hello which was a gift sent from heaven. She was always one of my favorite teachers and in fact, we had become good friends until I moved, she had children and we gradually lost touch. We went over my ideas and she gave me wonderful suggestions and a much needed boost of confidence. I was feeling good at this point until it got closer to the day. We were to arrive in Michigan two days early because the day before the actual conference, we had a rehearsal on stage.
When I arrived to the auditorium, there were a few people scattered about and I was taken to the forefront of the stage. I saw all the empty seats that I knew would be filled the next day as it had sold out and I also knew it would be simulcasted to another theater and two high schools. The lights came on and fear hit me. Although I will was advised not to memorize my speech, I felt like it was necessary in a way, to get your points across. I started to fumble and kept looking at my notes and what little confidence I had, started to go down the drain! I struggled through it and when I finished said “Thank God that’s over!” with such a huge sigh of relief that everyone started laughing and told me that was probably not the best way to finish when I was doing it live, the next day.
When I left the stage, I bumped into the next speaker who was about to do his rehearsal. He was a hockey coach, a New York Times best-selling author and professional inspirational speaker. He asked me if I wanted any advice which made me think that I must need it so I agreed! He said that no one in the audience would know if I forgot something from my notes. In fact he also said “If you think that you will remember everything – forget it! That train has left the station!” He said my story was what was important and just speak from the heart. After speaking with him, I finally believed that I could actually do this and a huge weight was lifted off me. It's funny how people are placed in your life at the perfect times and we don't even realize it.
So the next day I went on the stage and even though I was a bundle of nerves, I somehow got through it. Afterwards, I was so glad that I did it! I was definitely out of my comfort zone but so happy that I pushed myself.
This is really a compilation of suggestions from others and my ideas, combined. I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who supported me. I'd like to give a special thanks to my dear sister-in-law for believing in me, my friends who had to listen to me being stressed out at times and to my patient husband for helping me with the video portion. (I'm so bad at technical stuff!) But my biggest thanks goes to all of you mobile WOMEN out there! I knew that the support from my community has made a difference in my life but it wasn't until I sat down and started writing that I realized, that you have been one of the most significant influences of my life. Without the advice and support of my mobile friends, I think my journey thus far would have been much different and I’m fairly certain that emotionally and physically, I wouldn’t have been in the wonderful place that I am in now.
I find it incredible that often you can meet another woman who has a disability and suddenly be able to bond with them, even though you may come from very different backgrounds. Only they can truly understand your hardships, challenges and struggles. When you have someone else to share these experiences with, it is comforting and motivating because you can learn how they were able to overcome obstacles and move forward. I cannot count how many times that I ended up laughing over something that was originally, completely devastating or embarrassing. This was not always the case, as you will see when you watch my talk. I think of the women that may be more isolated and do not have the peer support and my heart goes out to them. My hope is that they utilize mobileWOMEN.org to be able to reach out to others and get that vital support.
I encourage you to use our Facebook page to reach out to other women. If you don't feel comfortable posting something for everyone to see, feel free to send them a personal message. I find for me, dealing with my disability is an on-going process and there is a learning curve. There are others out there that have already experienced what you're going through and have managed to come through it. There is light at the end of the tunnel, if you seek it and allow it to exist. I promise you, it will be life-saving and life-changing. We are all in this together. I am so grateful to each of you and look forward to doing great things as a community!
To watch my talk entitled "Solving the Beauty Equation", please go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jBORe2vMxs


Beautifully said Wendy, thanks for spreading the awareness we all need to have for all those in wheelchairs and all others with disabilities. It was a momentous few days to be your cheerleader and I was honored to not only nominate you, but to be there to witness the standing ovation (which they edited out for those who have not heard) and outpouring of love that you sparked in everyone in the audience!
ReplyDeleteHere's to great coverage for your RawBeauty Project!!
Much love,
Debbie
His or her finances really does rolex replica certainly not allow the crooks to shell out income pertaining to these kind of fashion accessories as you move the false versions can be acquired by simply any individual with virtually no issues. For that reason these kind of equipment assist you create his or her aspiration an actuality and still have the perfect individuality. One can possibly find quite a lot of websites via wherever many of us breitling replica should purchase your processing designer watches. On the other hand, you must acknowledge that you have a pair of varieties of false designer watches. 1st an example may be your real professional false designer watches although various other variety involves your undesirable good quality false designer watches. It can be drastically patek philippe replica proposed to acquire your wristwatches involving real professional good quality when they offer an wonderful finish and search nearly as bad as the real makes. Nonetheless, your designer watches using undesirable good quality maybe very much low-priced nevertheless they just don't supply that will experience. Along with donning a real panerai replica timepiece may possibly ruin the total individuality consequently you should keep away from these people. Anyone can obtain multi-functional high-quality duplicate enjoy or maybe a number of frames involving enjoy reproductions for the inexpensive price tag.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for reaching such a great platform. We need more public speakers regarding drunk driving accidents. There is a lot of information regarding lawyers for DUI available out there and sifting through it to find the right DUI attorney is a daunting task. I remember, hiring DUI lawyer was a daunting task for us when my cousin got charged with DUI.
ReplyDeletebeats by dre
ReplyDeleteprada outlet
kate spade uk
prada handbags
ray ban
louis vuitton outlet
abercrombie
new balance shoes
burberry outlet
coach outlet
tods outlet
adidas wings
coach outlet online
toms shoes
foamposite gold
lacoste outlet
adidas shoes
christian louboutin
kate spade outlet
tiffany and co jewelry
michael kors canada
toms shoes outlet online
lululemon
giuseppe zanotti outlet
kobe 9 elite
michael kors handbags
converse outlet
michael kors outlet
foamposite shoes
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin outlet
marc jacobs
ralph lauren outlet online
oakley outlet
pandora jewelry
tods shoes
nhl jerseys
coach outlet online
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet online
seattle seahawks jerseys
ReplyDeletecoach outlet
snapback hats
air jordan 4
michael kors outlet
los angeles clippers jerseys
michael kors uk
links of london
the north face outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors outlet
cheap toms
air max 90
insanity workout
stuart weitzman boots
fitflop shoes
calvin klein outlet
abercrombie
salvatore ferragamo
the north face uk
nike roshe run
tiffany jewelry
longchamp handbags
hollister pas cher
cheap snapbacks
nhl jerseys
mlb jerseys
michael kors outlet
air jordan 11
coach factory outlet
kate spade outlet
the north face outlet store
chanel outlet
new balance shoes
beats by dre
atlanta falcons jersey
asics running shoes
cheap nhl jerseys
true religion jeans
michael kors canada
cleveland cavaliers jersey
ReplyDeletegolden state warriors jerseys
mbt shoes
chanel handbags
los angeles lakers jerseys
nike free
dallas cowboys jersey
washington redskins jerseys
arizona cardinals jerseys
kansas city chiefs jerseys
atlanta falcons jersey
nike air max uk
green bay packers jerseys
hermes belt
nike outlet store
barcelona jersey
tory burch outlet
chicago blackhawks jersey
nike huarache
michael kors uk
mulberry outlet
manchester united jersey
new england patriots jerseys
oklahoma city thunder jerseys
baltimore ravens jerseys
michael kors uk
ray ban sunglasses
nike roshe
cheap football shirts
nike trainers
air max 2014
stuart weitzman boots
the north face jackets
nike free 5.0
coach outlet canada
nike free uk
denver broncos jerseys
new york knicks jersey
oakland raiders jerseys
san antonio spurs jerseys
wei20150617
jordan shoes
ReplyDeleteprada sunglasses
true religion outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
abercrombie store new york
jeremy scott adidas
gucci outlet
louis vuitton
soccer jerseys
coach outlet store online
timberland outlet
marc jacobs
abercrombie and fitch outlet
louis vuitton
christian louboutin shoes
chanel bags
kids lebron james shoes
coach bags
burberry handbags
gucci handbags
adidas outlet store
hollister outlet
louboutin
chanel bags
polo outlet
oakley glasses
cheap toms shoes
mont blanc mountain
true religion outlet
fake oakleys
gucci outlet
abercrombie store
cheap oakleys
20150710xiong
insanity
ReplyDeletethe north face outlet
cheap nike shoes
kate spade handbags
michael kors outlet
ray ban sunglasses
polo ralph lauren outlet
fivefingers shoes
michael kors outlet
abercrombie and fitch
hollister
babyliss pro
los angeles clippers jerseys
nike running shoes
michael kors handbags
new balance shoes
cheap football shirts
michael kors handbags
fitflop
tory burch sandals
babyliss
burberry outlet online
indianapolis colts jerseys
nike free 5.0
nhl jerseys
mac cosmetics
air force one shoes
jordan 4
karen millen uk
kate spade outlet
longchamp outlet
nike huarache
air jordan 11
fred perry polo shirts
true religion outlet
hollister uk
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
ralph lauren outlet
tory burch outlet online
cai2015720
2015-10-6leilei
ReplyDeleteJordan Concords Low And High
coach outlet online
Christian Louboutin Outlet Sale Cheap Online
Cheap Ray Ban Wayfarer
Oakley Polarized Sunglasses Cheap Outlet Store
uggs sale
Louis Vuitton Purses For Cheap
Authentic Air Jordan 13 shoes for sale
canada goose sale
Nike Kobe Bryant Basketball Shoes
Authentic Louis Vuitton Bags Discount
Hollister Tees for Men
ralph lauren
hollister clothing
Jordan 8 Phoenix Suns
Outlet Michael Kors Handbags
Designer Louis Vuitton Bags Discount
michael kors bags
michael kors uk
Michael Kors Handbags Clearance Outlet
tory burch sale
Michael Kors Outlet Sale Handbags Discount
canada goose
michael kors uk
Louis Vuitton Outlet Stores Usa
coach outlet canada, http://www.coachoutletcanada.com.co/
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton, http://www.louisvuitton.in.net/
louis vuitton handbags, http://www.louisvuittonhandbags.org.uk/
nfl jerseys wholesale, http://www.nfljerseys-wholesale.us.com/
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.ray-bansunglasses.eu.com/
thomas sabo uk, http://www.thomassabos.co.uk/
louis vuitton outlet, http://www.louisvuittonoutlet.in.net/
christian louboutin uk, http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.org.uk/
louis vuitton handbags, http://www.louisvuittonhandbagsoutlet.co.uk/
parajumpers coats, http://www.woolrichoutletstore.us.com/
roshe run, http://www.rosherunshoessale.com/
nike free, http://www.nikefreerunning.org/
true religion outlet, http://www.truereligionoutletstore.us.com/
abercrombie and fitch, http://www.abercrombie-fitch.us.com/
hermes birkin, http://www.hermesbirkin.org/
michael kors handbags, http://www.michaelkorshandbags.in.net/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglasses-outlet.us.com/
prada handbags, http://www.pradahandbagsoutlet.co.uk/
tory burch outlet, http://www.toryburchoutletonline.in.net/
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.raybansunglass.us.com/
oakley sunglasses wholesale, http://www.oakleysunglasses-wholesale.us.com/
michael kors wallet, http://www.michaelkorswallet.net/
oakley, http://www.occhialioakleyoutlets.it/
cai20151010