April Speeches

April 1, 2014 - Speaking to probation officers at Frank Crowley Court Building in Dallas from 3:00-4:30 pm. After speaking, the court and probation officers presented me with a wonderful "thank you" basket, card, and love offering. It was so unexpected and thoughtful that it made me cry :)

April 3, 2014 - Acting as a "Human Book" at UNT's 2014 Human Library event, hosted by Diane Wahl,  from 2:00-4:00 pm located in Denton, Texas at UNT in the Willis Library Forum. Scattered around the room will be groups of four chairs.  There will be a “book” seated at each group of four chairs, so that there are three chairs left for readers.  When readers come in the entrance, they stop at a check out desk and decide which book they want to read.  We’ll send them to the book they have checked out with a check out slip so the book will know they have been checked out.  A book can have up to three readers at once.  Reading a book is basically a conversation between the book and the readers who have "checked" the book out. My book title will be "Please Don't Drink and Drive."

April 4, 2014 - Speaking to Celina High School at 10:00 am.

April 5, 2014 - Speaking to at-risk teens through MYLIFE at the YMCA in McKinney, Texas.

April 7, 2014 - Speaking to Collin College's nursing students at the Collin Higher Education Center (CHEC) at 10:00 am.

April 15, 2014 - Speaking at MADD's Adult VIP at 6:00 pm located at the Salvation Army (600 S. Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney, Texas 75069.

Associate of Arts Degree

This weekend, I graduated from Collin College with an Associate of liberal arts degree. I am so excited! I have been attending Collin College since 2004, taking on average two classes each semester. It has taken a long time and I definitely had my share of difficulty but in the end, I surpassed all obstacles and proudly graduated with a 3.9 GPA!

The graduation ceremony was held at the Allen Events Center in Allen, Texas. Afterwards, we celebrated at Main Event which has pool tables, bowling alleys, and arcade games.

THANK YOU:

Thank you to everyone who congratulated me via mail and telephone and a special thank you to those who came to my graduation ceremony! Your support means so much to me! Thank you also to my professors whose passion made them radiate and allow me enjoy the class and tremendously learn. Thank you to my parents, older sister, and my boyfriend who constantly encouraged me and assisted me in homework, transportation, and daily care. Thank you to my cousin Karen who drove my Nanny down to attend the ceremony. And most of all, thank you God for helping me find the strength within myself to go to college and for directing me on the journey of obtaining a college degree.

New College Semester

This is the first week back from winter break. This semester, I am taking Biology II (lecture and lab) and Lifespan Psychology. In May, I will finally be graduating from Collin College with an associate's degree of liberal arts! I am so excited! Next semester, I am hoping to attend UNT and begin my journey towards a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in counseling. I know that this will be a long journey but it is a dream of mine to counsel others and be able to share my story to patients.

Wish me luck!

November 4, 2010

This morning I was invited to speak to Collin College's nursing students by their instructor and also a family friend of ours Debra Hurd. She wanted me to share my insight from my stay and care in the hospitals and also offer any advice I could to the nurses. I shared how I became paralyzed, how my care was in the hospitals, and how much of an impact they potentially have on their patients.

I remember that it was the nurses and one particular nurse tech I had that pulled me through my depression and gave me the inner strength I needed to recover enough to be able to go home. That in itself is proof that we all make an impact on everyone that we meet. We can never know for sure how a person is on the inside or how their life at home is. All we know is how a person behaves and feels around us. You could be the very person that pulls someone out of a hidden depression and also the very person that gradually nudges someone into a depression. You have been given a gift - the ability to be impactful. How do you plan to use it?

Anytime you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling." - Dr. Rick Warren

"Now you belong to him . . . in order that you might be useful in the service of God." - Romans 7:4 (TEV)

1 John 3:14 (CEV) – “Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life."

November 2, 2010

Yesterday, I spoke at Collin College on behalf of MADD and Red Ribbon Week. I have been speaking for MADD for officially one year this month and I finally felt ready to share my story with my fellow College students and faculty. Therefore, through the help of the Collin College Program Coordinator Michael Gregorash, we were able to set up this event and titled it "Drinking and Driving: Yes, It Can Affect You!"

An audience of about 65 attended including some personal invitations of mine: Denise Crabtree, Helen Doughty, Linda Greenwood, Renee Mooney, and Del Newberry. I feel that this was my best speech yet. I included drug and alcohol-related statistics and facts which were astounding to discover upon researching. Please visit http://www.madd.org/, www.AbovetheInfluence.com/facts, and http://www.acde.org/common/Contents.htm for more information on drugs and alcohol. We were able to film this speech and I plan to post it on my Website and on Facebook as soon as I am finished with finals.

Thank you Collin College for having me and thank you to everyone who attended!