DADS ARE AN ENDANGERED SPECIES!

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The following is an outline of my award-winning Toastmasters International Speech Contest presentation.

It is an outline showing the process of what I work from as I develop a contest speech.

These are only highlight points and I color in the rest with the pertinent stories.

I Hope this might help someone developing a speech and or competing in a speaking contest…

Gabriel’s Story…THE UP SIDE OF DOWN SYNDROME

RING….and it all started with the ultrasound at Mad River Community Hospital. The ultrasound revealed the possibility of Down syndrome. Gabe had a 1 in 3 chance of having Down.

RING…That $1M question was ringing in our minds until Gabe’s birth…We knew little of Down or disabilities…

This is a true story of our beloved 7th son Gabriel. (TELL3)

Ring…My wife Joni SUPERWOMAN …

· 30 days in bed rest…Gave a birth…stress of her child’s state…Up all night..3am flight…up all the next day..

RING…Joni called…get a clue and get to Sacramento NOW! Mother and child were now recovering well.

The $1M question REMAINED did Gabe have Down?

Meeting with the doctor, she assured us that Gabe did have Down syndrome…Our marriage would be in Jeopardy and our family was in trouble… She was not very delicate… What nuggets to drop on a couple…WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED? DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT? THIS WAS MORE THAN I COULD BEAR!!

The proceeding questions, prayer, and walks around the UC Davis campus crying out to God will always be etched in my memory. How could he allow this to happen to us?

We simply did not have a road map for Gabe and wanted to be careful, successful, and help Gabe…WALKS,TEARS, PRAYER, THINKING, AND THEN…..RING…..I HAD IT!!
I decided to dedicate Gabriel (and our raising him) to the Lord, and trust that, although he might never be a football hero or a brain surgeon, his life would be both personally fulfilling and enriching to those around him. We were ready to move on and raise our son no matter!

We have learned to be honest with our feelings and with reality. Some of the lessons learned include:

1. There is no one-time fix. This is a long-term issue, challenge, battle, and journey requiring a long term mentality and approach.
2. A positive mental attitude and my positive confessions are not enough to get me through.
There is no “Bible bullet “or quick fix that is adequate to address my parental challenges.
3. Whereas Gabriel may have special needs of his intellect, there is none of the spirit. He is Really Special
4. Therapists are now part of our Extended Family forever

The lessons learned have to do with my deciding to have the right perspective, attitude, actions, and behaviors.
The decision to love unconditionally…

Gabe has taught us many lessons. RING…

1. To slow down. To love and live in the moment….be here now…TO ENJOY LIFE AND GABE.

2. To appreciate and celebrate accomplishments: Potty.

3. To be patient and to look outside the box and value all God has created.

I’m learning to choose to love freely regardless of the payback. I’m learning to value all people. I know that everyone has special needs. Some of us just hide them better!

My commitment as a father begins with loving my son and also to help my family to love Gabriel, to be patient with him, and to see past his challenges to his many positive attributes….and to love, accept, understand, and help Gabriel. He just needs a little extra help in life!!

Gabriel has the potential to teach us to look for the things in life that are truly important. May I be as good a student as he is a teacher. I’ll end with a story…

(Micah Story)

· 3 YEAR OLD…ALL BOY…HAVING A VERY BAD TIME

· NORMAL KID HAVING A TANTRUM

· PUBLIC HUMILIATION, ANNOYING, IRRITATING,

· GABE HAVING A SPECIAL NEEDS MOMENT….RING!!

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Posted on April 26th, 2008 by Scott Hammond
Filed under: Fathering, Speaking