Friday, March 5, 2010

Kevin's Speech, live


Tonight was the night Kevin gave his speech at school, to a packed audience of peers and families. He did a wonderful job, and despite a brief, unfortunate technical malfunction, he nailed it.


This was part of a program in which all the seventh and eighth graders at his school had to perform either a visual or performing art. Kevin was the only one who received a standing ovation. People were crying! Afterwards, as we were leaving, so many people - kids, parents, and teachers alike, were high-fiving Kevin, shaking his hand, and telling him what an awesome message he put out there. He made a BIG impression. My heart is so full right now, of love and pride for this amazing kid, and my faith in the ultimate goodness of people is restored.

21 comments:

Stephanie said...

I am seriously crying over here! My heart is full with you. What an awesome speech Kevin! And Mama, looks like you've done a wonderful job too.

Kristin said...

Cant see the speech. boo. Congratulations on the super job you have done mothering such a great young man.

JRS said...

I'm so proud of you Kevin! It's one thing to post a video from your home and it's quite another to get up infront of your peers and deliver it. Wow! If you have not already done so, please upload your speech to the Special Olympics Fan Community pages where even more people can see it.
---Jen
http://community.specialolympics.org/service/displayForum.kickAction?as=82244&w=230193

DownTownDan said...

Kevin, amazing job. Lisa, amazing job. This was fantastic - I couldn't do what Kevin did.

The Sanchez Family said...

Oh gosh!!!! TEARS!!! He is really an outstanding young man.

P said...

Wow!! That was absolutely amazing...brought many tears to my eyes. Although I don't personally know you or your son, I am so incredibly proud of him for standing up and speaking of something he is passionate about. What an awesome big brother :)

Kim said...

Way to go! That was awesome! I'm sure that took a lot of courage. Finnian is lucky to have such a great brother!

Terri said...

Wonderful!!!

Crittle said...

He did amazing. So, so proud of your boy!

Anna Alexandrova said...

You have all my respect, Kevin!

Monica Crumley said...

Really inspiring, Kevin. I agree w/ JRS... it's so different in front of a peer audience. Your delivery was flawless and the message will resonate in their hearts for a long time. I will show this to a 7th grade science class tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to keep from getting all teary-eyed again. THank you for this gift, Kevin and Lisa!

sheree said...

That was AWESOME! Please tell Kevin "THANK YOU" from Gabby and I. What he did took major guts and we appreciate his advocacy!

chris said...

Wow, that was amazing, Kevin!!!

Jeanette said...

Wow! Amazing! I would be bursting with pride too!!

Gwen said...

You have an amazing son. I'm sitting here, eyes filled with tears, and I vow never to use the R word again. Because I certainly am guilty of saying it without even thinking. But never again. And I'm showing this to my 3rd grader when he gets home from school, I know it will make an impression.

Gwen said...

I shared the video link on Facebook, and already some of my friends and family have watched it, and even shared on their walls.

Lisa said...

Thanks for this, Gwen! I'm really touched and grateful to you for helping to spread the word!!

And thank you to everyone else, too, for all the support and kind words. I've been forwarding all the comments left here to Kevin so he can see what an impact he's made.

Unknown said...

Bravo! He did nail it!!

Maggie Warren
Winston-Salem, NC

Shem the Wrench said...

Kevin did such an incredible job. I'm wondering if I can link this post to my site in a post I'm writing about the "r" word? mymirabel.blogspot.com
Again, I'm so impressed. Great job, Kevin!

Unknown said...

OMG Lisa that was amazing! I have tears streaming down my face! That big boy of yours will be someone special, he has a rare talent and you must be so proud!

Kevin, you are my new hero! I'm all the way down in Australia and I will be sharing this with my Aussie friends!

Well done all of you!!
Sarah~fostersm

PS I don't use that word but in the past week I have told two people I know off for using it. I vow to never let that word be uttered around me without informing the user how hurtful it is.

diane rene said...

an amazing speech, I know you are so proud :)
I hope you don't mind, but I shared the link with a friend - BEFORE seeing your copyright notice - sorry. she had just posted last week about her dislike of the "r word" and the two went together so well.
keep up the awesome job. a child that is brave enough to get up and make that speech is a child that has been raised with confidence and a sense of what is right and just in the world ... that credit is as much yours as it is his.