Learning to Speak…Publicly That Is

This weekend past I had the honour of being one of seven patients on a panel of speakers asked to tell our stories during the CNETS conference in Toronto. Now I’ve been blogging for just over two years and still feel, I wouldn’t call it uncomfortable, but maybe out of place. What I mean by that is there are so many great writers and bloggers out there, who would care or have I even presented my thoughts the way I want them to come across and make you want to follow this story, it’s not always the most exciting. Most of the time I push those thoughts to the side and I do my best to write relatable and thoughtful posts, grammar may not always be correct, but it’s a blog so who cares? When it comes to public speaking though that’s an entirely different monster, I have done it twice now and I do enjoy it and really don’t fear it too much, however I do realize I need some more practice. All the speakers we heard this weekend were absolutely fantastic, all with unique, emotional and moving stories, leaving the audience either in tears or very close to it. When I was finished I felt I had done a good job and was told by others that I had done great, along with all the other speakers.

When we got home after the conference, I could hear my wife listening to my talk that she had recorded on the phone. It’s very weird for me to hear myself speak like that, it’s like someone else and I know that everyone is their own worst critic. What I heard was… an emotional story and at times parts flowed well, but it was also full of Ahs and pauses. I know that after two engagements no-one expects perfection, except the person doing it..me. This is the path I have chosen for myself now as a cancer advocate, wanting to bring a sense of hope and resiliency to others in the same boat and in order to do that is to tell my story in a way that doesn’t allow you let your mind wander whether I’m writing or speaking. Drawing you into the point where you’re left wanting more, that’s where I want to get to and with some determination and practice I can get there. All the while not being to hard on myself, just over two short years ago the only speaking I did at work was between a piece of metal and myself, re-inventing or figuring out who I am now post cancer diagnosis just doesn’t happen overnight and after 47 years I do realize this takes time.

Back to the conference, what a great event, full of information, almost to the point of overload. Well planned out, great round table discussions, doctors on the latest and greatest in the world of NET care. New treatment possibilities brought to us in a way I think I understood, lol, all the doctors were awesome, but sometimes I get lost in the medical terminology. Informative case studies and for a patient like myself who was diagnosed during the pandemic a chance to finally meet face to face with so many of those that have helped me along the way. Along with meeting and networking with other patients from across Canada in a way that couldn’t have happened without conferences like these. I walked away this weekend feeling good about the path we in the NET world are on and the importance of awareness and advocacy, especially when it comes to rare diseases. We were also able to walk downtown Toronto a bit at night and joined some fellow patients for good dinner and discussion, coming away from the weekend with new friends and the chance to tell my story and listen to others were the highlights. It truly shows what a close-knit community CNETS is and I’m very proud to be a part of this group.

What’s up Next

After getting home Sunday night, I was up early to meet a journalist that had run an article on my story back in November, Connor Luczka. We were meeting this time to discuss Stratfords Relay for Life event and my part in it, story is here. Once again another great piece written by this young man, thank you. In our quick conversation he told me that he was hoping to have a canoe trip down the French River with his Father this year. Maybe a bit of our early discussion about canoeing and how important it is to me rubbed off on him?? After meeting with him I rushed over to meet with a second journalist from another one of Stratfords news outlets the Beacon Herald, Galen Simmons to run another story link is here. This was another great article, with a lot of the focus being on my journey and I’m very grateful to be apart of this. Please give them both a read, the guys do a great job telling my story as well as laying out the the days events for June 10th.

Along with being involved in the committee this year I was also asked to be the participant of hope speaker. So once again I get to be up in front of an audience and put my story out there for all to hear, being my third time I hope to shake the nerves early and get the story rolling smoothly. My main goal is to tell a story, one that ends conveying a sense of hope, determination and resiliency. Something all Cancer patients regardless of their current situation need to hear sometimes and be positively reminded of. We all struggle at some point, that is unavoidable. It’s how we pick ourselves up again and charge forward that counts, trying to squeeze the most out of everyday, minute and second, being mindful in our moments and using this one chance we have here to make a difference, even if it’s just reaching one person that needs a little inspiration in their life just to get it kickstarted again.

I could go ahead and tell you my story again in my words, but both those articles do a good job, also on the home page of the blog is a great YouTube Video that sums it up, you know what I’ll just post it here again. Also I have plenty for you to read in my archives, so check them out. I’ll link you here to a few that I think may be a couple of my better posts.

10 years ago….Serious…..No answers. Now those are just a few. Going forward I have a few emotional pieces that I wrote just after my diagnosis that I might share. Also of course I’ve been holding on to some tripping posts to make and hope to bring on a different type journey, one of soloing for seven days in some of the world most beautiful backcountry. Lots more to go here, but another reminder that I will be speaking June 10th in Stratford at the Intermediate School, so come on down and make me more nervous, lol. As always please consider subscribing, like, vote and Comment. I always try my best to get back to everyone. Cheers.