tonight. I will not cry tonight….. This evening, from 6pm-9pm, PDT my son Cyrus will compete for the honor to speak at TEDx Reno, Nevada. He is the only high school student competing against college students and will give voice to all the millions of students across the US who are excluded and segregated daily due to their life threatening food allergies. You can watch the live streaming of the Nevada Student Speaker Competition here: LIVE STREAM FOR NVSSC
A teacher at his school took this head shot today in honor of tonight!
Why the tears? I’ve been reading all of the amazing shout outs to Cyrus and words of encouragement coming from across the globe. I keep tearing up as I feel the energy, pain and need for our children to have a voice. We’ve come so far in many ways and yet in others we are stuck in mud unable to move. How can we still be having conversations about food in classrooms? Why are simple solutions received as if we asked for surgery? Have we truly become a culture of self indulged behavior that safety and lives are only important if they are convenient.
- I cry because my community will finally learn that maybe their honest efforts to keep our children safe are failing and we need new conversations.
- I cry since Cyrus will have a platform to explain his feelings to our community.
- I cry, since as his mother, I will finally hear about his own pain and frustrations–the ones that he has hidden away from us. He knocked me over when he spoke last spring about what it was like to have food allergies to a local Rotary Club. His honestly was powerful and I never knew how bad he felt inside. He does a great job of keeping the peace.
Last night he told me if he does not win this competition, he will move forward with his own efforts to become an even louder voice.
Lastly, I fully blame peri-menopause for my hormones that inspire tears at the drop of the hat and pray that I don’t cry during a speaking competition. I’m not a one of those that cries beautifully. I’m not the one you see in the movies…tears gently rolling down a rosey cheek, streaking past gorgeous hair.. Yup, not me.
Please send us good thoughts that his talk goes well and reaches people in places that will leave them wanting to be part of the change. Also, pray that I don’t blubber all over strangers either!
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!..
Of course you’ll cry … I’ve been blubbering away for years at these types of events … It’s called being a mom. Just don’t run onto the stage and hug him and it will be fine.
Sending a huge teary shout out to Cyrus -so honored to have known him all his life. Go get ’em!
I believe in your awesome son’s wisdom and speaking skills! I watched his other video and…wow! He has a captivating presence. There is built in credibility, since he’s been living these challenges first hand. Pulling for Cyrus and our entire community.
We desperately need him to be our strong voice…just 2 nights ago a teacher emailed us her list of food ingredients to be used in a lab, saying if any weren’t safe for our son, he could do “an alternate assignment in the library”.
I was speechless. I had thought we’d made progress; this is our 7th year of working with our district. There is always room for better awareness, but I cannot wait until that education/training gap closes to almost nil!
I have to say it- cry!! Let it out- who says the tears will be negative?! Let them be proud mama tears and send him all of your energy because he is going to kick butt! (He takes after his mom, after all). <3
From Ontario Canada….Good Luck. Cyrus and this amazing generation of children and young adults who are speaking up and advocating for allergy awareness and change makes me so proud. I know their voice will educate others and with that comes knowledge and compassion which I am convinced will lead to change.
For what it is worth my food allergic child has attended two schools and with education about food allergies, both schools have removed all food from holidays and birthday celebrations and there is no communal food sharing whatsoever. The children are educated about food allergies. We love Kyle Dine! And all staff receive in depth anaphylaxis training twice a year. It can be done, and schools all across Ontario (not all by any means) but more and more are seeing that food can be dangerous, and removing the food does not remove the fun. The kids get it and they support their friends and we just need to educate the adults. Cyrus, my fingers are crossed for you. But regardless you have already impacted so many. Your story is an inspiration and model for my daughter and your Mom is an inspiration for me!
The expression the apple does not fall far from the tree is applicable here!
I wonder where he learned how to advocate so eloquently?
Honored to share in your joy and pride.. keep us all posted
That headshot looks so fantastic!! We are all so proud of Cyrus! I know he will stick to his word and persevere!!
Oh Caroline, that is wonderful! I have no business telling anyone to hold it together since I cry at everything. When I gave my testimony at the senate committee hearing for my restaurant legislation, I cried. When I gave the second testimony at the senate committee hearing for the restaurant legislation, I cried. When the committee voted unanimously to pass the bill, I cried. And just so you don’t feel alone, I am the WORST public crier. I totally blubbered and then SNORTED so loudly for all to hear and enjoy. When I went up to thank the committee, I was still crying, and snorting! And, just an update, the bill passed off of the senate floor with a 31-7 vote! If I was allowed to have been in there, I would have been bawling. So now the bill goes to the House, where we start all over again, and I can assure you with much certainty, I will cry all over again. You need to cry to release everything you’ve held in for so long. You need to cry because you are human. What an amazing kid you have, to be able to stand up for himself and so many other people like this. You need to cry with the happiness and satisfaction of this fantastic kid you brought into the world! And he has a pretty great name- he and my husband share it!
Best of luck to your son! 🙂 I would love to hear that speech! We are having trouble with our power and internet, so I don’t know if I’d be able to listen to the competition. Will it be recorded?
I tried to leave a comment before, but it didn’t let me. Anyway, good luck to Cyrus! 🙂 I would cry, too. I would love to hear the speech! Was it recorded? If so, is there a link to the recording?