WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.149 2 00:00:03.169 --> 00:00:05.285 Thank you Karl. 3 00:00:05.305 --> 00:00:08.254 So Karl is a little bit country, 4 00:00:08.274 --> 00:00:12.192 and I am rock and roll. 5 00:00:12.212 --> 00:00:14.294 He’s a rhinestone cowboy. 6 00:00:14.314 --> 00:00:16.229 Thank you Karl. Appreciate it. 7 00:00:16.249 --> 00:00:17.397 Let me go back. 8 00:00:17.417 --> 00:00:19.299 Thank you for the warm welcome. 9 00:00:19.319 --> 00:00:20.467 Good morning. 10 00:00:20.487 --> 00:00:21.368 Good morning everyone. 11 00:00:21.388 --> 00:00:22.736 Thank you for having me. 12 00:00:22.756 --> 00:00:26.439 So good to be here. 13 00:00:26.459 --> 00:00:28.274 I've spoken to hundreds 14 00:00:28.294 --> 00:00:31.177 of events around the world, 15 00:00:31.197 --> 00:00:36.282 but I have to say that this particular event this morning 16 00:00:36.302 --> 00:00:38.485 had a whole lot more significance 17 00:00:38.505 --> 00:00:41.554 and personal meaning to me. Why? 18 00:00:41.574 --> 00:00:44.557 Because if it wasn't for people like you, 19 00:00:44.577 --> 00:00:46.926 I would not be here today. 20 00:00:46.946 --> 00:00:51.097 And I mean that with every fiber of my being. 21 00:00:51.117 --> 00:00:55.201 If it wasn't for the wonderful audiologists and the speech language pathologists, 22 00:00:55.221 --> 00:00:59.205 early intervention, specialists that came into my life, 23 00:00:59.225 --> 00:01:02.709 I wouldn’t be able to speak with passion that wouldn’t be able to hear with conviction. 24 00:01:02.729 --> 00:01:05.445 I wouldn’t be able to sign and do all those things. 25 00:01:05.465 --> 00:01:07.480 So thank you from the bottom of my heart. 26 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:08.515 And I will say this. 27 00:01:08.535 --> 00:01:15.488 People like you that make people like me, like people like you. 28 00:01:15.508 --> 00:01:16.890 and I don't just like you. 29 00:01:16.910 --> 00:01:18.658 I love you. 30 00:01:18.678 --> 00:01:21.694 You, on behalf of all the deaf and hard of hearing, 31 00:01:21.714 --> 00:01:24.264 thank you from the bottom of my heart. 32 00:01:24.284 --> 00:01:25.799 When Karl asked me to come. 33 00:01:25.819 --> 00:01:29.436 And Mandy, thank you so much too, 34 00:01:29.456 --> 00:01:31.704 When I found out I was going to speak, 35 00:01:31.724 --> 00:01:35.141 To audiologists and speech language pathologists and all you 36 00:01:35.161 --> 00:01:37.143 early intervention specialists, I said to myself, 37 00:01:37.163 --> 00:01:38.878 Okay, 38 00:01:38.898 --> 00:01:42.782 that group carries 39 00:01:42.802 --> 00:01:43.783 You carry a lot. 40 00:01:43.803 --> 00:01:47.587 And if there's a group that knows how to juggle chaos 41 00:01:47.607 --> 00:01:51.624 and deal with complex situations, and yet they still show up 42 00:01:51.644 --> 00:01:57.263 with a smile and compassion, it’s this group right here. 43 00:01:57.283 --> 00:01:58.631 You know, and then I realized, 44 00:01:58.651 --> 00:02:02.168 you do so much more than juggle chaos. 45 00:02:02.188 --> 00:02:05.238 You carry something even greater. 46 00:02:05.258 --> 00:02:08.141 You carry hope 47 00:02:08.161 --> 00:02:11.411 you carry that hope into the lives of other deaf and hard of hearing 48 00:02:11.431 --> 00:02:12.979 people like myself. 49 00:02:12.999 --> 00:02:17.784 And because of you, we can meet our greatest dreams and aspirations in life. 50 00:02:17.804 --> 00:02:20.553 And so I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. 51 00:02:20.573 --> 00:02:21.221 Thank you. 52 00:02:21.241 --> 00:02:23.356 And like I said, people like you make people like me. 53 00:02:23.376 --> 00:02:24.257 Like people like you. 54 00:02:24.277 --> 00:02:27.460 I don't know, how you’re going to interpret that. 55 00:02:27.480 --> 00:02:28.928 But just say I love you. Really, that’s what it meant. 56 00:02:28.948 --> 00:02:30.864 That's what it meant today. 57 00:02:30.884 --> 00:02:36.236 And so you guys remind me of a quote. I’m sure all of you have heard this. 58 00:02:36.256 --> 00:02:41.007 you need to be reminded by Helen Keller, who shared that “Kindness is 59 00:02:41.027 --> 00:02:43.576 the language that deaf people can hear 60 00:02:43.596 --> 00:02:47.213 and that blind people can see.” 61 00:02:47.233 --> 00:02:48.848 That’s you. 62 00:02:48.868 --> 00:02:49.749 And I appreciate it. 63 00:02:49.769 --> 00:02:54.487 I'm excited to share some stories, some experiences and to connect to you guys. 64 00:02:54.507 --> 00:02:57.290 And by the way, happy 25 years of this amazing accomplishment. 65 00:02:57.310 --> 00:03:00.727 Let’s give you guys a big round of applause. 66 00:03:00.747 --> 00:03:03.229 You guys are absolutely amazing. 67 00:03:03.249 --> 00:03:06.766 You’re not just my heroes. 68 00:03:06.786 --> 00:03:09.002 You're my “Hear-O”s. 69 00:03:09.022 --> 00:03:10.003 And I mean that. 70 00:03:10.023 --> 00:03:11.504 Every fiber of my being. 71 00:03:11.524 --> 00:03:13.206 I'm going to share something. 72 00:03:13.226 --> 00:03:16.209 My sweetheart, my wife. 73 00:03:16.229 --> 00:03:17.944 We, we're from southern Utah. 74 00:03:17.964 --> 00:03:21.114 You saw the backdrop of Karl and I riding our horses. 75 00:03:21.134 --> 00:03:22.549 That was a lot of fun. 76 00:03:22.569 --> 00:03:27.787 A lot of people don’t know this, but we adopted both of these little girls. 77 00:03:27.807 --> 00:03:28.688 Things didn’t quite go the way 78 00:03:28.708 --> 00:03:30.456 We had planned. So this was the best thing 79 00:03:30.476 --> 00:03:31.958 we ever did. 80 00:03:31.978 --> 00:03:35.461 I've got two little beautiful angels. 81 00:03:35.481 --> 00:03:39.566 I can't say that I've walked in your exact shoes, 82 00:03:39.586 --> 00:03:41.301 but I can tell you that 83 00:03:41.321 --> 00:03:44.270 I have been given a hand 84 00:03:44.290 --> 00:03:49.609 that I didn’t expect. 85 00:03:49.629 --> 00:03:53.046 Imagine your life not being able to hear the music 86 00:03:53.066 --> 00:03:55.982 being the son of the lead singer 87 00:03:56.002 --> 00:03:58.484 of the Osmond family. 88 00:03:58.504 --> 00:04:02.722 Imagine not being able to hear the comforting voices of your family and your friends. 89 00:04:02.742 --> 00:04:06.226 Imagine your life without sound. 90 00:04:06.246 --> 00:04:11.431 Imagine not being able to hear Karl White here this morning with his beautiful golden throat. 91 00:04:11.451 --> 00:04:13.299 imagine life 92 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:19.289 without sound. 93 00:04:19.309 --> 00:04:27.647 94 00:04:27.667 --> 00:04:31.584 For you it make take some imagination. 95 00:04:31.604 --> 00:04:35.188 But for me I have lived it. 96 00:04:35.208 --> 00:04:39.359 And Karl said I was born with a very severe to profound hearing loss. 97 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:43.596 For the first two years of my life, I lived in a world of complete silence, 98 00:04:43.616 --> 00:04:47.233 just like you experienced moments ago. 99 00:04:47.253 --> 00:04:49.235 And after two years 100 00:04:49.255 --> 00:04:52.405 of complete silence and no newborn screening, 101 00:04:52.425 --> 00:04:56.109 where were you guys back then? Hello? 102 00:04:56.129 --> 00:04:57.844 After two years, 103 00:04:57.864 --> 00:05:01.447 my parents intervened and they took me to the doctor 104 00:05:01.467 --> 00:05:06.352 and that's when they diagnosed with a severe to profound hearing loss. 105 00:05:06.372 --> 00:05:11.824 And, they put this huge device 106 00:05:11.844 --> 00:05:15.094 And it was so big, it felt like this. 107 00:05:15.114 --> 00:05:17.897 You know, we came a long way. 108 00:05:17.917 --> 00:05:19.299 Okay. It wasn’t like that. 109 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:21.768 But it sure felt like it. 110 00:05:21.788 --> 00:05:26.239 You got no analog wiring coming out, and we've come a long way. 111 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:32.278 But for the first time in my life, I heard my mom’s voice. I heard my dad’s music. 112 00:05:32.298 --> 00:05:35.515 I heard my dog bark and my all time favorite. 113 00:05:35.535 --> 00:05:38.551 I got to hear the toilet flush. 114 00:05:38.571 --> 00:05:41.988 And we take so much for granted. 115 00:05:42.008 --> 00:05:45.491 And, you know, I felt I had entered this whole new world 116 00:05:45.511 --> 00:05:49.162 Of crouse, that came with a lot of new challenges. 117 00:05:49.182 --> 00:05:54.634 For example, I'm now two years behind my peers. 118 00:05:54.654 --> 00:05:58.404 And so my parents introduced me to a lot of wonderful 119 00:05:58.424 --> 00:06:02.141 speech language pathologists, which forever changed my life. 120 00:06:02.161 --> 00:06:06.212 And I am so 121 00:06:06.232 --> 00:06:09.382 thankful I, I think I'm, I get a little emotional today 122 00:06:09.402 --> 00:06:12.919 because I'm being so serious when I say that 123 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:16.889 I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for you. 124 00:06:16.909 --> 00:06:20.526 And then, just for fun, I looked at my archive, just to see 125 00:06:20.546 --> 00:06:25.565 if I could find any video of me learning how to speak. 126 00:06:25.585 --> 00:06:32.004 And I found a video 47 years ago when I was three years old. 127 00:06:32.024 --> 00:06:36.476 And so I dedicate this video to you, for never 128 00:06:36.496 --> 00:06:41.013 giving up on people like me so that today we can speak. 129 00:06:41.033 --> 00:06:42.982 We can hear. 130 00:06:43.002 --> 00:06:46.986 We’ve got a video. It’s an old video so bear with me. 131 00:06:47.006 --> 00:06:52.976 This is when I was three years old, here we go. 132 00:06:52.996 --> 00:07:01.134 133 00:07:01.154 --> 00:07:03.436 I heard a quote, 134 00:07:03.456 --> 00:07:06.072 by Abraham Lincoln. He said 135 00:07:06.092 --> 00:07:08.908 all that I have and all that 136 00:07:08.928 --> 00:07:12.545 I am, I owe to my mother. 137 00:07:12.565 --> 00:07:15.181 Yes, yes. 138 00:07:15.201 --> 00:07:17.650 Yeah, yeah, 139 00:07:17.670 --> 00:07:20.353 I just wanted to say a few words. 140 00:07:20.373 --> 00:07:22.655 Regarding my mother. 141 00:07:22.675 --> 00:07:28.528 Every morning she would wake me up at 5:30 and, 142 00:07:28.548 --> 00:07:33.332 [unknown] 143 00:07:33.352 --> 00:07:36.202 hours upon hours upon days 144 00:07:36.222 --> 00:07:38.671 [unknown] 145 00:07:38.691 --> 00:07:39.772 [unknown] 146 00:07:39.792 --> 00:07:42.442 [unknown] 147 00:07:42.462 --> 00:07:46.379 And she did that for about 15 years. 148 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:50.550 [unknown] 149 00:07:50.570 --> 00:07:56.255 All that hard work paid off, and not a day goes by, that I don't think about my mom. 150 00:07:56.275 --> 00:08:02.245 [Music] 151 00:08:02.265 --> 00:08:05.832 152 00:08:05.852 --> 00:08:11.270 [Music] 153 00:08:11.290 --> 00:08:14.607 I thought that you would appreciate that. 154 00:08:14.627 --> 00:08:19.178 I did produce that for my mom. 155 00:08:19.198 --> 00:08:21.180 That was also for you. 156 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:25.218 You see, I may have tangible wealth. 157 00:08:25.238 --> 00:08:28.754 Coffins of jewels and coffins of gold, but 158 00:08:28.774 --> 00:08:31.791 [unknown] 159 00:08:31.811 --> 00:08:32.658 I had a speech language pathologist 160 00:08:32.678 --> 00:08:36.429 who ready to me. 161 00:08:36.449 --> 00:08:38.631 And that has made all the difference in my life. 162 00:08:38.651 --> 00:08:42.702 And of course, my mom. And the wonderful counselors and teachers 163 00:08:42.722 --> 00:08:47.039 that added meaning to my life to be who I am today. 164 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:50.343 I remember growing up being socially awkward. 165 00:08:50.363 --> 00:08:53.012 I remember growing up wishing I had a golden throat 166 00:08:53.032 --> 00:08:56.582 like my dad or the gold throat like my uncle Donny. 167 00:08:56.602 --> 00:08:59.852 And for all you young people, I wish I had a golden throat 168 00:08:59.872 --> 00:09:03.155 like Justin Timberlake. 169 00:09:03.175 --> 00:09:04.857 Who doesn’t, right? 170 00:09:04.877 --> 00:09:06.158 I just wanted to fit in. 171 00:09:06.178 --> 00:09:08.628 I wanted to sound normal. 172 00:09:08.648 --> 00:09:11.731 And then one day it dawned on me, why do I want to sound 173 00:09:11.751 --> 00:09:17.303 like Justin Timberlake when I can sound like Justin Osmond? 174 00:09:17.323 --> 00:09:20.773 At that point I realized, you know, this deaf accent, 175 00:09:20.793 --> 00:09:24.877 It’s not a flaw, it’s a feature. 176 00:09:24.897 --> 00:09:28.848 This voice, my voice, it's me. 177 00:09:28.868 --> 00:09:32.118 It's not just an accent, it's a badge. 178 00:09:32.138 --> 00:09:35.821 It's a brand. It's my signature. 179 00:09:35.841 --> 00:09:38.391 It’s my logo. It’s my label. 180 00:09:38.411 --> 00:09:41.827 It's my identity, and it's my story 181 00:09:41.847 --> 00:09:44.830 wrapped up in every syllable. 182 00:09:44.850 --> 00:09:47.133 As soon as I stopped apologizing for 183 00:09:47.153 --> 00:09:52.271 how I sounded and just owned up to it, was when I found my true freedom. 184 00:09:52.291 --> 00:09:57.276 And the moment I stopped worrying about what the world thought of me and just 185 00:09:57.296 --> 00:10:00.479 embraced it, I found true inexpressible joy 186 00:10:00.499 --> 00:10:03.983 and happiness and freedom. 187 00:10:04.003 --> 00:10:07.386 And that same freedom is waiting for you. 188 00:10:07.406 --> 00:10:12.425 It’s waiting for the kids that you work with and you deal with on a daily basis. 189 00:10:12.445 --> 00:10:15.328 So stop trying to be a remix of someone else. 190 00:10:15.348 --> 00:10:19.665 Just be you. Let people get to know the quirky 191 00:10:19.685 --> 00:10:23.369 perfect, fantastic you. 192 00:10:23.389 --> 00:10:25.671 The world doesn't need another someone else, it 193 00:10:25.691 --> 00:10:30.176 needs you. In full brilliant color. 194 00:10:30.196 --> 00:10:32.211 You know, growing up with a severe 195 00:10:32.231 --> 00:10:36.048 hearing loss, I had every reason to feel 196 00:10:36.068 --> 00:10:38.017 like I didn't belong, like I didn't 197 00:10:38.037 --> 00:10:41.153 have a point and people treated me differently. 198 00:10:41.173 --> 00:10:44.457 But all of that changed 199 00:10:44.477 --> 00:10:47.393 when someone invested in me. 200 00:10:47.413 --> 00:10:49.161 They didn’t see what I lacked, 201 00:10:49.181 --> 00:10:52.498 they didn’t see that my ears are broken. 202 00:10:52.518 --> 00:10:55.868 They saw what I could become. 203 00:10:55.888 --> 00:10:59.038 When people like you, compassionate, 204 00:10:59.058 --> 00:11:01.874 considerate, kind, 205 00:11:01.894 --> 00:11:05.645 You didn't see what I lacked, you saw what I could become. 206 00:11:05.665 --> 00:11:07.980 So thank you so much. 207 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:10.916 And again, because of you I can now speak with passion. 208 00:11:10.936 --> 00:11:13.085 I have that confidence. 209 00:11:13.105 --> 00:11:14.887 Trust me, I didn't have the confidence 210 00:11:14.907 --> 00:11:19.125 for a very long time. I was one of those troubled kids. 211 00:11:19.145 --> 00:11:23.863 I was a tough nut to crack. I’m sure many of you have those. 212 00:11:23.883 --> 00:11:26.599 And so, 213 00:11:26.619 --> 00:11:28.267 never give up on them. 214 00:11:28.287 --> 00:11:30.036 Thank you for investing. 215 00:11:30.056 --> 00:11:31.971 I mean, you’re all here today. 216 00:11:31.991 --> 00:11:33.239 You don’t have to be here. 217 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:36.308 Why are you here? Because 218 00:11:36.328 --> 00:11:40.112 you trying to give us a better life, a better quality of life. 219 00:11:40.132 --> 00:11:42.348 So on behalf of all the deaf and hard of hearing, 220 00:11:42.368 --> 00:11:44.684 Thank you for caring enough. 221 00:11:44.704 --> 00:11:46.886 We don't care how much you know, 222 00:11:46.906 --> 00:11:50.456 until we know how much you care, and you care so much. 223 00:11:50.476 --> 00:11:51.891 And thank you so much. 224 00:11:51.911 --> 00:11:54.493 I want to show a little video with you this give you a little glimpse 225 00:11:54.513 --> 00:11:58.898 of what it was like growing up in this world-renowned musical Osmond family. 226 00:11:58.918 --> 00:12:01.600 And not being able to hear, feeling disconnected from life. 227 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:08.274 I’m sure you all know what that’s like. 228 00:12:08.294 --> 00:12:11.744 [Video] Being born into this musical family 229 00:12:11.764 --> 00:12:17.734 and not being able to hear and understand the music. 230 00:12:17.754 --> 00:12:20.686 231 00:12:20.706 --> 00:12:21.053 I remember 232 00:12:21.073 --> 00:12:24.623 one time watching my dad perform in front of a sold out 233 00:12:24.643 --> 00:12:28.294 crowd at the New York Madison Square Garden, in front of 20,000 234 00:12:28.314 --> 00:12:31.530 people. 235 00:12:31.550 --> 00:12:32.732 The screaming fans, 236 00:12:32.752 --> 00:12:34.567 The lights flashing. 237 00:12:34.587 --> 00:12:37.670 I could feel the vibration of the drums. 238 00:12:37.690 --> 00:12:40.372 But I could not understand the words. 239 00:12:40.392 --> 00:12:41.774 Of the lead singer. 240 00:12:41.794 --> 00:12:44.577 My own dad. 241 00:12:44.597 --> 00:12:46.312 It was one of the strangest things, because 242 00:12:46.332 --> 00:12:47.880 In the middle of the crowd, 243 00:12:47.900 --> 00:12:50.916 I felt alone. 244 00:12:50.936 --> 00:12:52.885 I felt isolated. 245 00:12:52.905 --> 00:12:56.589 Disconnected. Frustrated. 246 00:12:56.609 --> 00:13:01.327 It's one of the worst feelings in the world. 247 00:13:01.347 --> 00:13:02.762 And I know many of you out there 248 00:13:02.782 --> 00:13:07.733 have had those similar feelings, and 249 00:13:07.753 --> 00:13:10.936 Thank goodness I had a really good support team around me, 250 00:13:10.956 --> 00:13:14.607 and wonderful parents and amazing brothers that came through and gave me 251 00:13:14.627 --> 00:13:19.178 that encouragement and motivation to keep going and to never give up. 252 00:13:19.198 --> 00:13:24.350 Even though my self-esteem, my confidence was just rock bottom. 253 00:13:24.370 --> 00:13:27.887 I believe that we do not overcome hopelessness 254 00:13:27.907 --> 00:13:30.923 by removing the obstacles in our life. 255 00:13:30.943 --> 00:13:35.394 We conquered it by not letting it own us, control us, overcome us, or 256 00:13:35.414 --> 00:13:41.634 even define us. 257 00:13:41.654 --> 00:13:45.204 My uncle Alan [unknown] 258 00:13:45.224 --> 00:13:47.573 [unknown] 259 00:13:47.593 --> 00:13:50.242 and that helped me create my personal model. 260 00:13:50.262 --> 00:13:52.812 I may have a hearing loss, but my hearing loss 261 00:13:52.832 --> 00:13:58.802 does not have me. [End video] 262 00:13:58.822 --> 00:14:06.025 263 00:14:06.045 --> 00:14:09.628 You guys are that light. You’re that 264 00:14:09.648 --> 00:14:13.833 beacon of light, that beacon of hope that brings 265 00:14:13.853 --> 00:14:19.004 People like myself out of the darkness so that we can have a better quality of life. 266 00:14:19.024 --> 00:14:20.239 And I thank you. 267 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:24.276 I really appreciate that. Everybody has a story. 268 00:14:24.296 --> 00:14:24.944 You have a story. 269 00:14:24.964 --> 00:14:27.513 Everybody has a story. 270 00:14:27.533 --> 00:14:29.682 My story happens to include a hearing loss. 271 00:14:29.702 --> 00:14:30.149 You know what? 272 00:14:30.169 --> 00:14:33.285 I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. 273 00:14:33.305 --> 00:14:35.487 And you taught me to persevere 274 00:14:35.507 --> 00:14:36.856 when people doubted me. 275 00:14:36.876 --> 00:14:38.224 It taught me to adapt. 276 00:14:38.244 --> 00:14:40.693 In a world that wasn’t built for me. 277 00:14:40.713 --> 00:14:42.728 And it taught me to believe in myself. 278 00:14:42.748 --> 00:14:46.799 Even when other people couldn’t see the dreams that I was trying to chase. 279 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:49.034 But let’s get real. Let’s get honest. 280 00:14:49.054 --> 00:14:52.805 We all have obstacles. Whether it’s physically, mentally, spiritually, circumstantial. 281 00:14:52.825 --> 00:14:56.208 Some are loud and obvious. 282 00:14:56.228 --> 00:14:58.677 Some are quiet and hidden. 283 00:14:58.697 --> 00:14:59.211 But no matter 284 00:14:59.231 --> 00:15:03.015 what shape or form they come in, there is one universal truth. 285 00:15:03.035 --> 00:15:06.719 And that is: limitations don’t stop us. 286 00:15:06.739 --> 00:15:10.389 It’s our mindset. It’s our mindsets that do. 287 00:15:10.409 --> 00:15:12.224 And so what if we flip the script? 288 00:15:12.244 --> 00:15:16.195 What if we looked at our limitations not as a red light, 289 00:15:16.215 --> 00:15:20.532 but as something that propels us forwards as a launching pad? 290 00:15:20.552 --> 00:15:25.304 With this type of mindset, which you guys taught me, you taught me that we control 291 00:15:25.324 --> 00:15:30.376 the quality of our lives just by how we think and act towards our challenges. 292 00:15:30.396 --> 00:15:31.877 And that same mindset 293 00:15:31.897 --> 00:15:36.015 led me to my personal motto. I may have a hearing loss, 294 00:15:36.035 --> 00:15:40.185 but my hearing loss doesn’t have me. It doesn’t own me or control me. 295 00:15:40.205 --> 00:15:43.355 I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. 296 00:15:43.375 --> 00:15:44.757 And guess what? 297 00:15:44.777 --> 00:15:49.094 I may have diabetes, but diabetes doesn’t have me. 298 00:15:49.114 --> 00:15:51.563 All the challenges that you're dealing with. 299 00:15:51.583 --> 00:15:55.634 You may have a particular challenge but that challenge does not have you, own you 300 00:15:55.654 --> 00:15:58.604 control you, or even define you. 301 00:15:58.624 --> 00:16:00.606 And I’ll take that one step further. Don’t let it define you. 302 00:16:00.626 --> 00:16:04.009 Let it refine you. 303 00:16:04.029 --> 00:16:06.445 Let it mold you, purge you, 304 00:16:06.465 --> 00:16:07.513 empower you. 305 00:16:07.533 --> 00:16:09.748 Elevate you. 306 00:16:09.768 --> 00:16:11.016 I would even take that one 307 00:16:11.036 --> 00:16:13.919 Didn't want any further. Don't let it power you. 308 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:16.121 Let it give you an edge. 309 00:16:16.141 --> 00:16:17.156 Let me give you an example. 310 00:16:17.176 --> 00:16:21.894 Losing my hearing has helped me to listen 311 00:16:21.914 --> 00:16:28.500 in ways that most people can’t or don’t. That is what gives me an edge. 312 00:16:28.520 --> 00:16:31.236 That’s turning lemons into lemonade. 313 00:16:31.256 --> 00:16:34.606 But then also this: it’s a reminder that all of our challenges, no matter what 314 00:16:34.626 --> 00:16:39.044 they may be is a hidden superpower in disguise. 315 00:16:39.064 --> 00:16:40.479 And that's what you taught me. 316 00:16:40.499 --> 00:16:44.183 You know what? You can do anything you want to do Justin. 317 00:16:44.203 --> 00:16:46.852 Thank you for instilling that into me. 318 00:16:46.872 --> 00:16:48.153 And how do we do that? 319 00:16:48.173 --> 00:16:53.025 By embracing who we are, our limitations. 320 00:16:53.045 --> 00:16:54.760 Speaking of limitations, 321 00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:57.296 they’re actually invitations. 322 00:16:57.316 --> 00:16:58.764 Invitations to grow. 323 00:16:58.784 --> 00:17:01.467 To expand and to become a better version of ourselves. 324 00:17:01.487 --> 00:17:05.270 Because the truth is, you were never limited in the first place. 325 00:17:05.290 --> 00:17:08.340 You've been waiting to see how incredible, 326 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:12.544 how amazing, and how unstoppable you really are. 327 00:17:12.564 --> 00:17:17.649 So go ahead, own your limits, and then smash them. 328 00:17:17.669 --> 00:17:21.286 Demolish them. Overcome them. 329 00:17:21.306 --> 00:17:26.925 now, speaking of smashing and crushing, sounds like something that The Incredible Hulk 330 00:17:26.945 --> 00:17:31.897 would do right? 331 00:17:31.917 --> 00:17:33.032 So, many of you know who this is, 332 00:17:33.052 --> 00:17:34.967 This is Lou Ferrigno. He is 333 00:17:34.987 --> 00:17:39.905 the original Incredible Hulk. He’s a great example of a great friend. 334 00:17:39.925 --> 00:17:41.807 He was a great role model for me. 335 00:17:41.827 --> 00:17:43.742 Of being able to 336 00:17:43.762 --> 00:17:44.576 smash 337 00:17:44.596 --> 00:17:47.646 the challenges in front of me. Not to fake it till you make it, 338 00:17:47.666 --> 00:17:51.150 But to face it until we make it. 339 00:17:51.170 --> 00:17:51.884 He taught me that 340 00:17:51.904 --> 00:17:55.754 it’s good to be physically tough, but it’s more important to be mentally tough. 341 00:17:55.774 --> 00:17:58.757 He also taught me this, which is the theme of my keynote today. 342 00:17:58.777 --> 00:18:01.660 Don’t limit your challenges. 343 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:05.831 Challenge your limits. 344 00:18:05.851 --> 00:18:08.434 When people underestimate you, 345 00:18:08.454 --> 00:18:11.670 You can use that to your advantage. Why? 346 00:18:11.690 --> 00:18:13.338 Because they don't expect you to put up a fight. 347 00:18:13.358 --> 00:18:14.773 They don't expect you to win. 348 00:18:14.793 --> 00:18:19.978 And that's when you crush them and overcome that. 349 00:18:19.998 --> 00:18:21.580 And so a great friend. 350 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:24.083 how many you've ever been told 351 00:18:24.103 --> 00:18:25.684 that you couldn't do something? 352 00:18:25.704 --> 00:18:29.221 You said you know, something in your life is broken and they underestimated 353 00:18:29.241 --> 00:18:32.357 you, told you that you're not good enough. 354 00:18:32.377 --> 00:18:34.927 I’m sure you work with a lot of kids like that 355 00:18:34.947 --> 00:18:37.563 when they’re at school, especially nowadays. 356 00:18:37.583 --> 00:18:37.830 But we need 357 00:18:37.850 --> 00:18:40.966 need to get rid of that misconception or that misunderstanding that 358 00:18:40.986 --> 00:18:43.936 just because something in your life is broken, 359 00:18:43.956 --> 00:18:46.238 that you’re impaired or disabled? 360 00:18:46.258 --> 00:18:49.575 No, it's an advantage 361 00:18:49.595 --> 00:18:52.978 not a curse, but a blessing. 362 00:18:52.998 --> 00:18:56.248 It’s not a penalty, but an opportunity. 363 00:18:56.268 --> 00:18:57.649 The type of mindset 364 00:18:57.669 --> 00:19:03.956 you taught me that’s helped me to defy the odds of doing things I was told I could never do. 365 00:19:03.976 --> 00:19:05.624 Today, I play the violin, 366 00:19:05.644 --> 00:19:08.460 the viola, the piano, the drums. 367 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:12.464 I’ll play the drums for you another time. 368 00:19:12.484 --> 00:19:16.502 I went out and got my master's degree at Utah State University. 369 00:19:16.522 --> 00:19:17.469 I wrote two books. 370 00:19:17.489 --> 00:19:20.739 I started a non-profit, and I love being able to give back 371 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:25.477 as a motivational speaker, even with a deaf accent. 372 00:19:25.497 --> 00:19:28.313 I don't share that with you to depress you. 373 00:19:28.333 --> 00:19:32.618 I share that with you, to impress upon you that you can do the same. 374 00:19:32.638 --> 00:19:35.554 Those kids that you work with. 375 00:19:35.574 --> 00:19:38.557 They can do the same. 376 00:19:38.577 --> 00:19:41.426 And it helps to know 377 00:19:41.446 --> 00:19:44.429 we can defy the odds of doing things we were told we could never do. 378 00:19:44.449 --> 00:19:46.532 I was told I can never sing. 379 00:19:46.552 --> 00:19:49.935 That part is true. 380 00:19:49.955 --> 00:19:51.370 But I can play the violin. 381 00:19:51.390 --> 00:19:54.740 And you know, I learned the magic of the violin not by hearing it, 382 00:19:54.760 --> 00:19:59.845 But by feeling it through the conductive vibrations. 383 00:19:59.865 --> 00:20:02.614 And so teach that mindset 384 00:20:02.634 --> 00:20:05.717 to your kids. Just like you taught me. 385 00:20:05.737 --> 00:20:09.555 And they’ll go on with the greatest aspirations in life. Now speaking of 386 00:20:09.575 --> 00:20:14.159 of writing a book. This is one of the books I wrote, called “Hearing with my Heart”. 387 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:16.728 Who wants a copy of my book? 388 00:20:16.748 --> 00:20:17.729 It’s here for the taking. 389 00:20:17.749 --> 00:20:23.719 First one here to come get it can have a copy of my book. 390 00:20:23.739 --> 00:20:25.404 391 00:20:25.424 --> 00:20:31.710 One thing that my 392 00:20:31.730 --> 00:20:34.279 speech language pathologists, all my amazing wonderful 393 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:39.151 teachers taught me, they said, If you see something you like, 394 00:20:39.171 --> 00:20:40.452 go after it. 395 00:20:40.472 --> 00:20:42.521 Don't let go, go for it. 396 00:20:42.541 --> 00:20:43.989 So good example. 397 00:20:44.009 --> 00:20:48.927 You see something you like, you go for it. oh, by the way, I have more books. 398 00:20:48.947 --> 00:20:54.266 afterwards, I’d love to visit with you and I’d be more than happy to do give more copies of my book 399 00:20:54.286 --> 00:20:58.136 away. I want to share a story with you. 400 00:20:58.156 --> 00:21:01.573 It’s a true story. 401 00:21:01.593 --> 00:21:03.909 About a brotherly love. 402 00:21:03.929 --> 00:21:06.745 my younger brother, 403 00:21:06.765 --> 00:21:08.714 He reminds me a lot 404 00:21:08.734 --> 00:21:10.449 of you. 405 00:21:10.469 --> 00:21:13.619 When I went to college, I really struggled 406 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:18.423 hearing, connecting, understanding my teachers, my professors. 407 00:21:18.443 --> 00:21:22.527 And, you know, you have all the kids to work with, 408 00:21:22.547 --> 00:21:25.797 and you can relate to that, but as you watch a little video, 409 00:21:25.817 --> 00:21:29.635 I dedicate this video to you, 410 00:21:29.655 --> 00:21:32.237 for never giving up on me 411 00:21:32.257 --> 00:21:35.641 when I couldn't present a word right. 412 00:21:35.661 --> 00:21:40.545 When I couldn’t say it right, for however long, for years, you never gave up on me. 413 00:21:40.565 --> 00:21:42.914 No matter how many times I failed. 414 00:21:42.934 --> 00:21:45.083 I failed again and again and again and again. 415 00:21:45.103 --> 00:21:49.621 I dedicate this video to you. 416 00:21:49.641 --> 00:21:52.858 Growing up, we did move around quite a bit 417 00:21:52.878 --> 00:21:56.061 and it seemed like we never really were established. 418 00:21:56.081 --> 00:21:57.496 Long enough to make very dear friends. 419 00:21:57.516 --> 00:22:01.500 And so my brothers ended up being my best friends, 420 00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:06.605 one summer, we both got a job at the local cemetery 421 00:22:06.625 --> 00:22:08.040 trimming, edging, 422 00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:12.577 around the headstones. We had both gotten our bachelor’s degrees, getting my master’s degree, 423 00:22:12.597 --> 00:22:15.347 It was like, I’m home. 424 00:22:15.367 --> 00:22:16.815 The younger guy, 425 00:22:16.835 --> 00:22:20.752 the smarter guy, had bigger aspirations in life. 426 00:22:20.772 --> 00:22:24.790 And he said, you know, we should go back and get our masters together. 427 00:22:24.810 --> 00:22:28.126 And when he said that. 428 00:22:28.146 --> 00:22:28.293 What? 429 00:22:28.313 --> 00:22:31.963 He said he would have my back all the way. 430 00:22:31.983 --> 00:22:34.800 And that's okay. 431 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:38.036 I had a really hard time with English and comprehension. 432 00:22:38.056 --> 00:22:40.005 A lot of people don’t realize 433 00:22:40.025 --> 00:22:44.509 He really only understands about 40% of what people are saying. 434 00:22:44.529 --> 00:22:51.383 But yeah. [Laughter] 435 00:22:51.403 --> 00:22:52.384 I’ve learned everyday 436 00:22:52.404 --> 00:22:55.554 challenges, it doesn't change. 437 00:22:55.574 --> 00:22:57.956 You know, we started the journey together. 438 00:22:57.976 --> 00:23:02.561 I did finish all my requirements about a year before he did 439 00:23:02.581 --> 00:23:07.766 Western Governors University had asked if I was ready to walk, to graduate 440 00:23:07.786 --> 00:23:10.502 I was determined to do it with Justin. 441 00:23:10.522 --> 00:23:14.606 there was one particular exam toward the end. 442 00:23:14.626 --> 00:23:19.411 I took it. Failed it. Took it again. Failed it. 443 00:23:19.431 --> 00:23:20.412 I did it again. 444 00:23:20.432 --> 00:23:22.013 I failed. 445 00:23:22.033 --> 00:23:25.584 And so I went back a fourth time, 446 00:23:25.604 --> 00:23:27.652 I failed. I was like, 447 00:23:27.672 --> 00:23:28.887 No way. 448 00:23:28.907 --> 00:23:32.624 There’s just no way. I'm not smart enough. 449 00:23:32.644 --> 00:23:36.027 He stayed with me, trained me, prepared me. 450 00:23:36.047 --> 00:23:38.397 Hours upon hours. He didn't have to do this. 451 00:23:38.417 --> 00:23:44.102 “You’re done.” I put in more time and effort, went in and did it. 452 00:23:44.122 --> 00:23:48.774 I passed. There was the biggest celebration. We had a big party. 453 00:23:48.794 --> 00:23:50.008 We had a big one. 454 00:23:50.028 --> 00:23:54.646 Justin was asked, do you want to be the keynote speaker at his graduation? 455 00:23:54.666 --> 00:23:57.115 And nobody else would have known what he had to go through 456 00:23:57.135 --> 00:23:58.717 to get to that point. 457 00:23:58.737 --> 00:24:02.888 But to see him up there, I could not be more proud of my brother. 458 00:24:02.908 --> 00:24:06.124 at this very moment I feel like I'm on top of the world. 459 00:24:06.144 --> 00:24:07.259 I'm sure every one of you graduates 460 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:09.961 You feel the same today. 461 00:24:09.981 --> 00:24:13.365 It’s not always about who is crossing the finish line first. 462 00:24:13.385 --> 00:24:16.868 It’s about never giving up. 463 00:24:16.888 --> 00:24:20.405 I'm still smarter in some areas. 464 00:24:20.425 --> 00:24:26.395 Okay, not very many. 465 00:24:26.415 --> 00:24:29.681 466 00:24:29.701 --> 00:24:34.953 I’m still smarter in some areas. 467 00:24:34.973 --> 00:24:36.988 I want to be rewrite that. 468 00:24:37.008 --> 00:24:41.026 Thank you, all of you, for having my back 469 00:24:41.046 --> 00:24:43.595 and for always being there for me 470 00:24:43.615 --> 00:24:45.697 and for never giving up on me. 471 00:24:45.717 --> 00:24:51.002 even though I couldn’t enunciate that word again and again and again. 472 00:24:51.022 --> 00:24:55.173 You alwasys believed in me and always had my back. 473 00:24:55.193 --> 00:24:59.978 So on behalf of all the deaf and hard of hearing, thank you. 474 00:24:59.998 --> 00:25:03.648 And by the way, who waits at the finish line? 475 00:25:03.668 --> 00:25:06.051 Even though they’re already done. 476 00:25:06.071 --> 00:25:09.821 And waits for a whole year before they walk on the stage 477 00:25:09.841 --> 00:25:15.494 to receive their diploma so they can walk across the stage together, 478 00:25:15.514 --> 00:25:19.998 who else does that? Besides my amazing younger brother. 479 00:25:20.018 --> 00:25:23.702 You guys. 480 00:25:23.722 --> 00:25:26.538 You guys wait at the finish line. 481 00:25:26.558 --> 00:25:30.242 So that people like me who struggle trying to get there, trying to get to 482 00:25:30.262 --> 00:25:35.747 our dreams and goals and aspirations in life, you’re right there cheering and jumping. 483 00:25:35.767 --> 00:25:38.950 So thank you for having our backs. 484 00:25:38.970 --> 00:25:42.654 As I think about and contemplate what you guys do for us, 485 00:25:42.674 --> 00:25:45.457 Sometimes, 486 00:25:45.477 --> 00:25:48.159 people like myself, think we have it all figured out 487 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:50.996 Do you have kids like that? Think we have it all figured out. 488 00:25:51.016 --> 00:25:54.165 But then when we hit the reality of life 489 00:25:54.185 --> 00:25:57.335 and hit all those stumbling blocks along the way 490 00:25:57.355 --> 00:25:59.871 it is where you guys come into play. 491 00:25:59.891 --> 00:26:03.775 We hit that reality and we hit all those bumps on the way. 492 00:26:03.795 --> 00:26:05.777 You guys are the ones. 493 00:26:05.797 --> 00:26:08.914 In fact, this is why we're having this event here today 494 00:26:08.934 --> 00:26:12.284 to come up with all these resources and remedies and solutions 495 00:26:12.304 --> 00:26:15.554 and answers to our problems. 496 00:26:15.574 --> 00:26:17.956 You're the one that provides a zip line. 497 00:26:17.976 --> 00:26:19.157 You provide the airlift. 498 00:26:19.177 --> 00:26:22.961 You're the one to build the boat or the ark, 499 00:26:22.981 --> 00:26:26.398 if you will. We all get in the ark before we drown. 500 00:26:26.418 --> 00:26:29.200 And then you also are the bridge builders. 501 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:33.171 so that we can walk across, and get our dreams. 502 00:26:33.191 --> 00:26:36.741 And then you also want to build the ladders so that we can 503 00:26:36.761 --> 00:26:40.579 climb it and reach our greatest dreams 504 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:43.715 and aspirations in life. 505 00:26:43.735 --> 00:26:45.116 A deaf person thinks in pictures. 506 00:26:45.136 --> 00:26:48.787 And I thought this was a really good illustration of 507 00:26:48.807 --> 00:26:49.921 what you guys do. 508 00:26:49.941 --> 00:26:51.623 For us. So thank you 509 00:26:51.643 --> 00:26:53.625 again, I appreciate that. 510 00:26:53.645 --> 00:26:57.629 Another person that reminds me of you is my sweet 511 00:26:57.649 --> 00:27:01.866 grandmother. The matriach of the Osmond family. 512 00:27:01.886 --> 00:27:06.271 A lot of people don't know her story but my grandmother, 513 00:27:06.291 --> 00:27:09.074 her two older boys 514 00:27:09.094 --> 00:27:12.243 were born deaf, and at that time 515 00:27:12.263 --> 00:27:16.014 the doctor told my grandmother not to have any more children. 516 00:27:16.034 --> 00:27:19.684 Because it was genetic, it was hereditary, et cetera. 517 00:27:19.704 --> 00:27:23.121 Good thing my grandma didn't listen. 518 00:27:23.141 --> 00:27:26.057 She had seven more children 519 00:27:26.077 --> 00:27:28.860 and nine kids total. 520 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:31.863 That’s where the Osmond family got so big. 521 00:27:31.883 --> 00:27:35.934 I love my grandma. 522 00:27:35.954 --> 00:27:39.638 at that time, I'm not going to tell the whole story, 523 00:27:39.658 --> 00:27:42.641 but I’ll tell the untold story. 524 00:27:42.661 --> 00:27:46.211 Many of- these are my dad and my uncles. 525 00:27:46.231 --> 00:27:50.582 many of them went on to musical, world renowned, 526 00:27:50.602 --> 00:27:54.552 music, music profession, music industry, 527 00:27:54.572 --> 00:27:57.689 the two oldest boys, Virl and Tom, 528 00:27:57.709 --> 00:28:01.192 They were both born deaf. My grandmother, my sweet grandmother, 529 00:28:01.212 --> 00:28:06.164 just like you, stayed back and she was a huge advocate. 530 00:28:06.184 --> 00:28:07.432 She would be here today. 531 00:28:07.452 --> 00:28:09.934 I know, if she was still here. 532 00:28:09.954 --> 00:28:10.735 She’d be part 533 00:28:10.755 --> 00:28:14.973 of your advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing. 534 00:28:14.993 --> 00:28:19.177 And so as my dad and uncles went on to world fame 535 00:28:19.197 --> 00:28:21.846 she would stay back and do speech therapy. 536 00:28:21.866 --> 00:28:25.884 And there were no resources back then. There was no EHDI. 537 00:28:25.904 --> 00:28:26.584 No 538 00:28:26.604 --> 00:28:29.054 early detection and hearing intervention. 539 00:28:29.074 --> 00:28:33.525 So she, she did what she could with what little limited resources she had 540 00:28:33.545 --> 00:28:36.094 and she would try to teach 541 00:28:36.114 --> 00:28:37.429 her boys how to speak. 542 00:28:37.449 --> 00:28:40.465 She also taught them sign language as well. 543 00:28:40.485 --> 00:28:43.702 But because of you she wanted to not only help her two deaf boys 544 00:28:43.722 --> 00:28:46.538 but she wanted to help all the deaf community. 545 00:28:46.558 --> 00:28:49.708 And so if you started a charity called the Osmond Foundation, 546 00:28:49.728 --> 00:28:55.447 and it was primarily established to help the deaf and hard of hearing. A lot of people don't know the story. 547 00:28:55.467 --> 00:28:58.650 And then another story, what I'm about to tell you 548 00:28:58.670 --> 00:29:04.022 how this charity grew, and grew, and is now known today 549 00:29:04.042 --> 00:29:07.492 As the Children Miracle Network. 550 00:29:07.512 --> 00:29:11.496 Which has now raised over 8 billion dollars 551 00:29:11.516 --> 00:29:15.533 in helping children through The Children’s Hospital throughout the United States. 552 00:29:15.553 --> 00:29:17.902 My grandma was the co-founder 553 00:29:17.922 --> 00:29:20.572 and I'm so proud of my grandma. 554 00:29:20.592 --> 00:29:26.562 So thank you for your support over the years. It’s because of people like you - [Applause] 555 00:29:26.582 --> 00:29:30.582 556 00:29:30.602 --> 00:29:32.684 And so at this time, 557 00:29:32.704 --> 00:29:36.054 I was born into the Osmond family 558 00:29:36.074 --> 00:29:40.391 and I’m the only one, if you can imagine this, I'm the only one 559 00:29:40.411 --> 00:29:43.895 in this generation that was born with a very severe to profound hearing loss. 560 00:29:43.915 --> 00:29:47.565 You know what that means? 561 00:29:47.585 --> 00:29:51.636 That means I was her favorite grandchild. 562 00:29:51.656 --> 00:29:55.206 I remember how passionate she was for the hard of hearing. 563 00:29:55.226 --> 00:29:58.042 So we had an immediate connection, and, 564 00:29:58.062 --> 00:30:01.813 I started a charity in honor of my sweet grandmother. 565 00:30:01.833 --> 00:30:05.016 and today we we help children all around the world. 566 00:30:05.036 --> 00:30:09.254 And I'm also excited to say, one of the recipients that we help, 567 00:30:09.274 --> 00:30:11.289 her mom is here today. 568 00:30:11.309 --> 00:30:14.893 Valerie Abbott, this is her daughter, Bridie 569 00:30:14.913 --> 00:30:18.129 And we were able to work together, 570 00:30:18.149 --> 00:30:20.698 And we got her some brand new hearing aids. She’s doing 571 00:30:20.718 --> 00:30:22.600 so well now. This is a while ago, 572 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:28.590 But, you know, playing the violin now as well and I feel like it's my long lost twin. 573 00:30:28.610 --> 00:30:29.674 574 00:30:29.694 --> 00:30:29.908 Doing so well. 575 00:30:29.928 --> 00:30:32.043 So proud of her. 576 00:30:32.063 --> 00:30:35.847 And so I wanted to show you this video, but because of time 577 00:30:35.867 --> 00:30:38.550 I'm going to skip this next part. 578 00:30:38.570 --> 00:30:41.686 And I want to show you this. 579 00:30:41.706 --> 00:30:44.455 you have seen all those videos 580 00:30:44.475 --> 00:30:48.626 that go viral when they hear for the very first time. 581 00:30:48.646 --> 00:30:50.762 This is something I have seen 582 00:30:50.782 --> 00:30:55.767 a thousand if not a million times over. And I never get 583 00:30:55.787 --> 00:30:58.803 bored watching it. But as you watch this, 584 00:30:58.823 --> 00:31:03.007 this was in a poverty-stricken area of India 585 00:31:03.027 --> 00:31:06.711 in Asia. This little boy was six years old. 586 00:31:06.731 --> 00:31:09.848 And I put this up there because 587 00:31:09.868 --> 00:31:13.518 we focus on children, right? If you watch this little video, 588 00:31:13.538 --> 00:31:19.657 watch him light up like a Christmas tree when he hears for the very first time. 589 00:31:19.677 --> 00:31:20.592 and it’s like 590 00:31:20.612 --> 00:31:23.761 that light switch comes on. That light bulb comes on. 591 00:31:23.781 --> 00:31:24.996 Watch this little boy 592 00:31:25.016 --> 00:31:30.635 as he hears for the very first time. 593 00:31:30.655 --> 00:31:36.625 [Overlapping voices in video] 594 00:31:36.645 --> 00:31:42.146 595 00:31:42.166 --> 00:31:48.136 [Overlapping voices in video] 596 00:31:48.156 --> 00:31:52.056 597 00:31:52.076 --> 00:31:53.892 I tried to give him a high five, but he was 598 00:31:53.912 --> 00:31:59.330 So excited. 599 00:31:59.350 --> 00:32:01.065 You notice, 600 00:32:01.085 --> 00:32:04.702 there's no words coming out of his mouth, 601 00:32:04.722 --> 00:32:07.305 no vocabulary. 602 00:32:07.325 --> 00:32:10.275 Six years of no sound. 603 00:32:10.295 --> 00:32:12.043 Complete silence. 604 00:32:12.063 --> 00:32:14.679 Of course, where he lived there were no newborn screening 605 00:32:14.699 --> 00:32:18.583 back there so he wasn’t able to develop, 606 00:32:18.603 --> 00:32:19.017 that. 607 00:32:19.037 --> 00:32:22.954 And I wish I had gotten this on video but he started doing this, he went: 608 00:32:22.974 --> 00:32:26.824 “Ba ba” 609 00:32:26.844 --> 00:32:28.893 “Ba ba ba ba ba” 610 00:32:28.913 --> 00:32:30.595 He was trying to catch 611 00:32:30.615 --> 00:32:32.096 his own voice. 612 00:32:32.116 --> 00:32:33.731 He’d never heard 613 00:32:33.751 --> 00:32:35.533 his own voice. 614 00:32:35.553 --> 00:32:38.102 And so life changing. 615 00:32:38.122 --> 00:32:41.673 And you’re probably like what does this have to do with me? 616 00:32:41.693 --> 00:32:43.441 Or you? 617 00:32:43.461 --> 00:32:45.743 I believe that everyone in this room 618 00:32:45.763 --> 00:32:49.447 will have or will have had a moment 619 00:32:49.467 --> 00:32:49.881 like him. 620 00:32:49.901 --> 00:32:55.186 When that light switch comes on 621 00:32:55.206 --> 00:32:57.555 the lightbulb, or when the Christmas tree 622 00:32:57.575 --> 00:32:58.957 lights come on. 623 00:32:58.977 --> 00:33:03.594 And that shift, or that, 624 00:33:03.614 --> 00:33:07.031 that movement, that we feel inside I think that would be a moment, 625 00:33:07.051 --> 00:33:10.301 for the all the people and all the kids you’ve helped 626 00:33:10.321 --> 00:33:14.973 You are a beacon of light and a beacon of hope for these kids. 627 00:33:14.993 --> 00:33:17.675 [unknown] moments ago. 628 00:33:17.695 --> 00:33:22.447 And when I was meeting with this little boy, like you, meet with the parents 629 00:33:22.467 --> 00:33:26.217 and the mother and the little boy. 630 00:33:26.237 --> 00:33:29.020 Just in tears. She was so happy. 631 00:33:29.040 --> 00:33:32.690 And she said, you know is there any way - I’m not trying to get rid of him but 632 00:33:32.710 --> 00:33:35.426 can you take him back to the United States of America 633 00:33:35.446 --> 00:33:39.897 so that he can have a better life, a better quality of life, 634 00:33:39.917 --> 00:33:42.333 and then, of course, I'm all about adoption. 635 00:33:42.353 --> 00:33:44.769 I would have adopted him if I could/ 636 00:33:44.789 --> 00:33:46.371 But then she said, this. This is something 637 00:33:46.391 --> 00:33:50.975 I want every one of you to take home, to take into your offices, 638 00:33:50.995 --> 00:33:54.345 Your clinics, your facilities, your homes 639 00:33:54.365 --> 00:33:56.714 and the kids that you teach. She said 640 00:33:56.734 --> 00:33:59.250 Thank you, 641 00:33:59.270 --> 00:34:00.318 thank you. 642 00:34:00.338 --> 00:34:07.158 I hope you never measure your life by the days you have lived, but by the smiles 643 00:34:07.178 --> 00:34:09.093 you leave behind. 644 00:34:09.113 --> 00:34:12.964 Thank you for putting a smile on my little boy’s face. 645 00:34:12.984 --> 00:34:16.100 I like to call them a hearing smile. 646 00:34:16.120 --> 00:34:19.404 But ladies and gentlemen, that's exactly what you do. 647 00:34:19.424 --> 00:34:23.141 Every day you put a hearing smile on my face. 648 00:34:23.161 --> 00:34:25.209 And all the kids that you work with and all the parents 649 00:34:25.229 --> 00:34:28.046 and the families that you work with. 650 00:34:28.066 --> 00:34:28.746 How do you do that? 651 00:34:28.766 --> 00:34:32.116 And how do you leave smiles behind in your profession? 652 00:34:32.136 --> 00:34:33.918 And I just came up with a couple thoughts. 653 00:34:33.938 --> 00:34:37.655 1. Don’t just run a facility. Create a home. 654 00:34:37.675 --> 00:34:40.358 I remember all my speech-language pathologists. They made it fun. 655 00:34:40.378 --> 00:34:42.660 It wasn’t a strict thing. 656 00:34:42.680 --> 00:34:47.832 I mean, they work hard, work hard, but they made it a fun environment. 657 00:34:47.852 --> 00:34:49.333 Create moments. 658 00:34:49.353 --> 00:34:51.736 Create moments. I remember they were taking me up into the mountains 659 00:34:51.756 --> 00:34:52.303 all the time. 660 00:34:52.323 --> 00:34:55.206 And they would point at different things and tell me what that object was. 661 00:34:55.226 --> 00:34:59.343 So create fun moments. People don't care how much you know, 662 00:34:59.363 --> 00:35:03.014 until they know how much you care. You’ve heard that a million times. 663 00:35:03.034 --> 00:35:04.782 That’s exactly what you do. 664 00:35:04.802 --> 00:35:06.284 And then honor their story. 665 00:35:06.304 --> 00:35:10.555 Everybody has a story. 666 00:35:10.575 --> 00:35:11.856 Share them. They love that. 667 00:35:11.876 --> 00:35:13.791 And at the end of the day, 668 00:35:13.811 --> 00:35:16.794 the real benefit of you work, is not just the care that you provide. 669 00:35:16.814 --> 00:35:20.598 But in the smiles you leave behind. 670 00:35:20.618 --> 00:35:23.801 So I want to share one more story. 671 00:35:23.821 --> 00:35:26.838 Like you, I'm always trying 672 00:35:26.858 --> 00:35:30.508 to find a way to leave smiles behind. 673 00:35:30.528 --> 00:35:33.177 Especially with the charity that I work with and honor 674 00:35:33.197 --> 00:35:37.548 my grandmother. And this particular time is about 675 00:35:37.568 --> 00:35:39.217 ten years ago, 676 00:35:39.237 --> 00:35:44.155 I found this school district that had 25 deaf and hard of hearing kids. 677 00:35:44.175 --> 00:35:46.824 They needed some new, upgraded hearing aids. 678 00:35:46.844 --> 00:35:48.593 And so 679 00:35:48.613 --> 00:35:50.761 I’m like, okay, here's what I'm going to do. 680 00:35:50.781 --> 00:35:54.799 I'm going to run across the whole state of Utah 681 00:35:54.819 --> 00:35:59.137 To help raise money, to help raise funding and raise awareness, 682 00:35:59.157 --> 00:36:04.675 so that we can raise money for these 25 deaf kids. 683 00:36:04.695 --> 00:36:06.310 This is my story. 684 00:36:06.330 --> 00:36:08.913 And would I recommend it, anybody? No. 685 00:36:08.933 --> 00:36:12.316 There are lots of other ways to raise money. 686 00:36:12.336 --> 00:36:17.355 And I don't share that with you to impress you, but to connect with you. 687 00:36:17.375 --> 00:36:22.193 You see this run wasn’t necessarily about my run. It parallels 688 00:36:22.213 --> 00:36:26.164 the path and the journey that you also on. 689 00:36:26.184 --> 00:36:30.434 And you help these kids be all they can be. 690 00:36:30.454 --> 00:36:31.903 [Video] So here's the deal. 691 00:36:31.923 --> 00:36:35.673 I'm not a runner. I’m really not. 692 00:36:35.693 --> 00:36:37.074 Back in [unknown] 693 00:36:37.094 --> 00:36:40.011 say that I remember one day I found out 694 00:36:40.031 --> 00:36:43.814 that there was a school district down in Central Utah 695 00:36:43.834 --> 00:36:46.450 where they had 25 deaf children 696 00:36:46.470 --> 00:36:49.187 that needed some new, upgraded hearing aids. 697 00:36:49.207 --> 00:36:53.257 So I approached them and said hey guys, I’m going to run all the way down 698 00:36:53.277 --> 00:36:56.360 into your hometown, 250 miles, so that I can 699 00:36:56.380 --> 00:37:00.631 help your 25 deaf kids. 700 00:37:00.651 --> 00:37:01.399 The biggest challenge 701 00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:04.569 for me was to do this 702 00:37:04.589 --> 00:37:05.069 in seven days. 703 00:37:05.089 --> 00:37:08.906 I have people telling me no, this won’t be good for your body. 704 00:37:08.926 --> 00:37:11.943 It’ll crush you. [2nd voice] I was with him 705 00:37:11.963 --> 00:37:16.948 but in a motor home [laughter]. 706 00:37:16.968 --> 00:37:20.751 After the first 50 miles I said, please don’t go any further, 707 00:37:20.771 --> 00:37:23.721 I’m exhausted [laughter]. 708 00:37:23.741 --> 00:37:30.127 Even in the back of the van with a Dr. Pepper. 709 00:37:30.147 --> 00:37:31.462 Looking out the window. 710 00:37:31.482 --> 00:37:32.663 How do you know what to do? 711 00:37:32.683 --> 00:37:37.635 [Laughter and overlapping voices] 712 00:37:37.655 --> 00:37:41.539 In fact, I said let me run for you. 713 00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:45.576 [Justin in Video] You were never going to do that. 714 00:37:45.596 --> 00:37:46.877 The weather was just 715 00:37:46.897 --> 00:37:48.279 unpredictable. 716 00:37:48.299 --> 00:37:51.382 [2nd voice] He had a mountain to climb like this and it was snowing 717 00:37:51.402 --> 00:37:56.420 and hailing. 718 00:37:56.440 --> 00:38:00.091 [Justin in video] About my 200th mile 719 00:38:00.111 --> 00:38:04.695 And by that time I’ve already made the money my whole body was in shutdown mode. 720 00:38:04.715 --> 00:38:10.167 I was in tears. But I’ll never forget, one of those 25 kids drove up 721 00:38:10.187 --> 00:38:16.007 with his parents and gave me the biggest huge and he said thank you. 722 00:38:16.027 --> 00:38:20.311 Thank you all for running so that I could get a new pair of hearing aids. 723 00:38:20.331 --> 00:38:24.649 When he said that, the energizer bunny came out 724 00:38:24.669 --> 00:38:25.149 and I was able 725 00:38:25.169 --> 00:38:29.353 to keep going and make it all the way to the finish line, all of 726 00:38:29.373 --> 00:38:33.457 the kids were right there waiting for me. 727 00:38:33.477 --> 00:38:39.196 One of the most painful things I've ever done, but yet one of the most rewarding. 728 00:38:39.216 --> 00:38:40.931 It was just one of those moments I 729 00:38:40.951 --> 00:38:43.601 said I’ll never forget. 730 00:38:43.621 --> 00:38:46.203 There will be times when you have setbacks. 731 00:38:46.223 --> 00:38:47.938 You will fail. 732 00:38:47.958 --> 00:38:49.373 Never give up. 733 00:38:49.393 --> 00:38:52.810 [Voice 2] I've never seen anything like it and probably never seen again 734 00:38:52.830 --> 00:38:54.011 anything like it. 735 00:38:54.031 --> 00:39:00.484 I made him swear to me that he will never, ever do it again. 736 00:39:00.504 --> 00:39:02.520 [Justin in video] So get out of your comfort zone, 737 00:39:02.540 --> 00:39:08.510 and that is when the magic is going to happen. 738 00:39:08.530 --> 00:39:12.530 739 00:39:12.550 --> 00:39:14.298 [Applause] [Justin] Thank you. 740 00:39:14.318 --> 00:39:19.937 I have never gone running since. 741 00:39:19.957 --> 00:39:20.438 Yeah. 742 00:39:20.458 --> 00:39:22.840 One of the hardest things I've ever done. 743 00:39:22.860 --> 00:39:25.343 But one of the most rewarding. 744 00:39:25.363 --> 00:39:29.213 And knowing you, you would do the same thing 745 00:39:29.233 --> 00:39:32.783 for the kids that you love. 746 00:39:32.803 --> 00:39:35.886 And it’s not about the distance. 747 00:39:35.906 --> 00:39:38.255 It’s about the difference. 748 00:39:38.275 --> 00:39:39.156 The difference that we make. 749 00:39:39.176 --> 00:39:41.158 And I know that in your profession 750 00:39:41.178 --> 00:39:45.329 that you carry a lot of weight. 751 00:39:45.349 --> 00:39:47.898 Bit my tongue, I’m sorry. 752 00:39:47.918 --> 00:39:48.699 Okay. 753 00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:52.803 Some days, I’m sure it feels like, you know, I can't go any further. 754 00:39:52.823 --> 00:39:55.172 I can't go, I can't go any more, it’s just 755 00:39:55.192 --> 00:39:58.609 it’s too hard, et cetera. 756 00:39:58.629 --> 00:40:01.379 And I don't share that with you to impress you, but to impress 757 00:40:01.399 --> 00:40:04.915 upon you that we can do hard things. 758 00:40:04.935 --> 00:40:07.151 And that’s what you guys taught me at a very 759 00:40:07.171 --> 00:40:10.454 young age. It's not going to be easy. 760 00:40:10.474 --> 00:40:13.724 We're going to have to work probably ten times harder than normal average 761 00:40:13.744 --> 00:40:15.526 hearing person has to. 762 00:40:15.546 --> 00:40:17.762 But that only makes us stronger. 763 00:40:17.782 --> 00:40:21.098 It makes us who we are. 764 00:40:21.118 --> 00:40:23.234 So remember, it's not about the distance 765 00:40:23.254 --> 00:40:29.173 Because I know in your profession, you’re like man, I’ve got this really tough kid that I’m dealing with. 766 00:40:29.193 --> 00:40:32.777 I was one of those and I promise you that if you continue to be patient 767 00:40:32.797 --> 00:40:35.980 with them loving and believing in them, investing in them, 768 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:39.183 I promise you there will be a day where they wake up, 769 00:40:39.203 --> 00:40:44.288 having an awakening and they will come back and thank you. 770 00:40:44.308 --> 00:40:46.724 Just like I am today. 771 00:40:46.744 --> 00:40:50.261 Thank you for never giving up. 772 00:40:50.281 --> 00:40:52.029 And I will say this. 773 00:40:52.049 --> 00:40:55.766 This is my pit crew. I could not have done 774 00:40:55.786 --> 00:40:58.068 without my pit crew. 775 00:40:58.088 --> 00:41:01.172 As much as these kids are independent, they feel like they 776 00:41:01.192 --> 00:41:02.440 can do it on their own. 777 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:07.278 They can’t. I couldn't have done it without my pit crew. 778 00:41:07.298 --> 00:41:10.448 I have another pit crew. 779 00:41:10.468 --> 00:41:12.183 They are my audiologists. 780 00:41:12.203 --> 00:41:15.753 They were my speech language pathologists. They were my early intervention 781 00:41:15.773 --> 00:41:19.824 counsels and teachers and mentors and counselors and all the wonderful pit crew 782 00:41:19.844 --> 00:41:23.194 that changed my oil, changed my tires, 783 00:41:23.214 --> 00:41:26.730 and gave me the fuel and the gas and the energy and the belief 784 00:41:26.750 --> 00:41:31.869 and the courage and everything I needed to be who I am today. 785 00:41:31.889 --> 00:41:35.039 You know who was part of that pit crew? 786 00:41:35.059 --> 00:41:37.274 Karl White. 787 00:41:37.294 --> 00:41:37.775 He already showed this picture. 788 00:41:37.795 --> 00:41:41.345 I forgot you were going to share that photo. 789 00:41:41.365 --> 00:41:44.648 He is a great mentor and a great friend. 790 00:41:44.668 --> 00:41:50.020 just like all of you, believing in me and telling me that we can do hard things. 791 00:41:50.040 --> 00:41:54.558 And I have this picture in my wall in my office. 792 00:41:54.578 --> 00:41:57.027 Just as a reminder. 793 00:41:57.047 --> 00:41:59.096 My 200th mile. 794 00:41:59.116 --> 00:42:01.198 I’d already raised the money. 795 00:42:01.218 --> 00:42:03.734 I remember I was on the side of the road. 796 00:42:03.754 --> 00:42:06.604 I have 50 more miles to go. 797 00:42:06.624 --> 00:42:09.173 I had raised all the money. I could easily have thrown in the towel. 798 00:42:09.193 --> 00:42:11.842 I was in so much pain. 799 00:42:11.862 --> 00:42:13.410 So, every tendon, 800 00:42:13.430 --> 00:42:17.848 bone, muscle in my body was inflamed. 801 00:42:17.868 --> 00:42:21.752 I was in so much pain. The weight. 802 00:42:21.772 --> 00:42:23.220 I can't go any further. 803 00:42:23.240 --> 00:42:26.857 And then all of the sudden a car pulls up, 804 00:42:26.877 --> 00:42:30.127 and this little boy jumps out 805 00:42:30.147 --> 00:42:32.296 and he's like, hey, 806 00:42:32.316 --> 00:42:33.664 I'm waiting at the finish line. 807 00:42:33.684 --> 00:42:37.334 Where are you? Come on! 808 00:42:37.354 --> 00:42:40.571 We can’t wait all day. 809 00:42:40.591 --> 00:42:42.806 And then he gave me a hug. 810 00:42:42.826 --> 00:42:45.109 He said thank you. 811 00:42:45.129 --> 00:42:47.945 Thank you for running for me. 812 00:42:47.965 --> 00:42:50.581 So that I can get a new pair of hearing aids. 813 00:42:50.601 --> 00:42:53.250 and it was almost like I forgot 814 00:42:53.270 --> 00:42:56.387 I forgot why I was even doing this. 815 00:42:56.407 --> 00:42:59.056 And so today I came to remind you 816 00:42:59.076 --> 00:43:03.127 I know it’s tough, it’s rough, it’s hard. 817 00:43:03.147 --> 00:43:06.964 But I promise you that these kids are cheering for you more than 818 00:43:06.984 --> 00:43:11.735 you know. More than you think. They’re relying on you, cheering for you to 819 00:43:11.755 --> 00:43:14.805 go all the way to the finish line. 820 00:43:14.825 --> 00:43:19.310 One of my favorite quote is: To the world 821 00:43:19.330 --> 00:43:21.745 you may be one person. 822 00:43:21.765 --> 00:43:24.081 But to one person, 823 00:43:24.101 --> 00:43:27.384 you are their world. 824 00:43:27.404 --> 00:43:29.887 You. Growing up, 825 00:43:29.907 --> 00:43:30.554 even though I grew up 826 00:43:30.574 --> 00:43:34.358 in a musical family, I have a wonderful family, and I've been blessed with that. 827 00:43:34.378 --> 00:43:40.598 But to the world, I felt like I was one person. But to one person 828 00:43:40.618 --> 00:43:42.766 youu were my world. 829 00:43:42.786 --> 00:43:44.702 You, my audiologists. My wonderful hearing specialists. 830 00:43:44.722 --> 00:43:47.204 Counselors. Speech language pathologists. 831 00:43:47.224 --> 00:43:50.908 You were my everything. 832 00:43:50.928 --> 00:43:53.110 so thank you for running all the way 833 00:43:53.130 --> 00:43:56.146 to the finish line for me so that I could get a new pair 834 00:43:56.166 --> 00:44:02.119 of hearing aids. To be able to speak with confidence 835 00:44:02.139 --> 00:44:06.523 and be able to find passion and all those wonderful things 836 00:44:06.543 --> 00:44:08.993 that life has to offer. 837 00:44:09.013 --> 00:44:12.196 And so I like to call these little kids 838 00:44:12.216 --> 00:44:13.364 acorns. 839 00:44:13.384 --> 00:44:16.500 And, you know, the 25 kids 840 00:44:16.520 --> 00:44:20.304 at the finish line. I was able to make it, finally. 841 00:44:20.324 --> 00:44:21.905 It was life-changing. 842 00:44:21.925 --> 00:44:24.875 I’ll never go running again. 843 00:44:24.895 --> 00:44:26.276 But worth it. 844 00:44:26.296 --> 00:44:30.047 So what are your acorns? 845 00:44:30.067 --> 00:44:31.582 I know, who your acorns are. 846 00:44:31.602 --> 00:44:32.916 I don't need to remind you that. 847 00:44:32.936 --> 00:44:35.085 But actually I am reminding you. 848 00:44:35.105 --> 00:44:37.287 Acorns, just like Scrat, 849 00:44:37.307 --> 00:44:41.191 it makes him tick, it makes him get up every single morning. 850 00:44:41.211 --> 00:44:43.394 And whether it's Ice Age 10, 851 00:44:43.414 --> 00:44:45.496 I don’t know which one we’re on right now. 852 00:44:45.516 --> 00:44:50.134 But he’ll always be going after that acorn because he loves them so much. 853 00:44:50.154 --> 00:44:52.503 I guarantee you that when you find your acorn 854 00:44:52.523 --> 00:44:55.839 and your purpose and your motivation and your drive 855 00:44:55.859 --> 00:45:00.978 in life, you too, will enter a whole new world, a world of unbelievable 856 00:45:00.998 --> 00:45:05.649 sights, incredible feelings and and soaring and flying through an endless 857 00:45:05.669 --> 00:45:07.484 diamond sky. 858 00:45:07.504 --> 00:45:11.722 a world where the sky is the limit. Your potential is eternal, 859 00:45:11.742 --> 00:45:16.460 and your value is priceless. 860 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:19.263 That’s what you taught me. 861 00:45:19.283 --> 00:45:21.765 Remember, 862 00:45:21.785 --> 00:45:24.268 We can either limit our challenges 863 00:45:24.288 --> 00:45:27.805 or we can challenge our limits. 864 00:45:27.825 --> 00:45:30.774 will we let our challenges define us, 865 00:45:30.794 --> 00:45:34.344 or will we let it refine us? 866 00:45:34.364 --> 00:45:36.914 Will we look at our challenges and limitations as a red light, 867 00:45:36.934 --> 00:45:40.050 or as a launch pad 868 00:45:40.070 --> 00:45:43.253 or something that gives us an edge? 869 00:45:43.273 --> 00:45:47.191 I know that ordinary man finds an excuse, 870 00:45:47.211 --> 00:45:50.728 but EHDI always find a way. 871 00:45:50.748 --> 00:45:51.528 And I’m so grateful for that. 872 00:45:51.548 --> 00:45:55.799 And remember, we all have limitations, but we've also got potential. 873 00:45:55.819 --> 00:46:00.270 and a million dreams just waiting for us right around the corner. 874 00:46:00.290 --> 00:46:01.605 Thank you. I love you and I appreciate you. 875 00:46:01.625 --> 00:46:06.510 Remember, it’s people like you that make people like me, 876 00:46:06.530 --> 00:46:14.828 like people love you. Thank you. God bless you.