Self serving again today! A few have asked to see the 60 second video my son Cyrus submitted along with his application for the Nevada Student Speaker Competition (NVSSC). We were granted permission to share, so here it is. As the control freak mom that I am, it’s been tough to keep my lips closed on this topic and let him find his way. My lesson: letting go. On October 1st at 6pm, in the Joe Crowley Student Union on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, Cyrus will compete with six other students to win a spot to speak at our local TedX in January. I’m happy beyond words that he is finding his own voice and finally discussing the issues that have been a big part of his life. He has always been the “good kid”, the “trouper” and the one who wants to do what’s best for the group. Unfortunately, he has seen others take advantage of him and other students with life threatening food allergies. Their great can do attitude and message somehow gets lost in translation and ends up paving the way for others to think they just don’t need to care or take proper precautions.
He was deeply upset last year when a teacher disregarded a friend’s young child at school and completely excluded the child from a celebration stating that “the parent can figure it out” while refusing to share allergen information or to follow the student’s 504 plan. That situation truly made an impact on him as he was shocked that after all of these years of him dealing with life threatening food allergies – 14 to be exact – people where still ignorant to the disease.
Help cheer him on and please join on next Wednesday evening, October 1st, @6pm, 2014 at “the Joe” on the UNR campus if you are local! Please help us promote this event on social media by visiting the NVSSC facebook page and liking them, posting a message of cheer using the hashtag #TheRoadtoTedX or including them on twitter using @NVSSC_UNR in your shout out! If you live out of town, this event will be streamed live and we’ll provide the link soon!
Thank you to everyone who has been cheering him on. That has meant a lot to him.
Top photo “Microphone” is courtesy from Salvatore Vuono via Freedigitalphotos.net
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
I agree, Cyrus, you have something important to talk about share with others.
Go get ’em!
Cheryl
On behalf of our sons with food allergies, ages 14 and 11, as a food allergy momma, and all kids with food allergies, we offer our deepest gratitude for getting the word out there! We wish you the very best and hope for your sphere of influence to grow exponentially through this opportunity!