Hi.  I saw Michael at my school. I have never been inspired that much before. I could’t understand what it meant to share love, peace, and my faith with everyone in my reach and beyond. I’m now able to understand. You looked at me and told me I can change the world, and the moment I heard those words, my thoughts changed. My plan for my future became to meet people and help them achieve their goals. I fear that I may fail sometimes but you thought me that fear can’t be an excuse to just give up or stop dreaming big. I love your stories because their always in my mind, especially when I need them most. I believe the key to a better world is to help everyone get to their goal. I would sacrifice any opportunity to see the faces of their dreams come true. That’s my dream. Keep inspiring generations and the small things will change the ways of society. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for changing my life. May God be there where ever you go. God bless you. Thank you.

Michael, I met you today, and it was really inspirational. My name is Alyssa; I’m 15 years old. You called me beautiful, and it was one of the most important things I’ve heard for a very long time. It meant the world to me. Basically, it’s not easy. You know that… everyone knows that, but sometimes I just can’t. I relate to the whole ‘sitting on the edge of the bed’ thing. I do it a lot actually. I dream of playing music for people and being on stage, but I have an awful habit of giving up due to my fear of public speaking and panic attacks. That’s all I want to do, and it sucks to be afraid to do what I love. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel worth it, and I turn into this uncontrolled, harmful being toward myself that results in wanting to not go on, but I know I have to. It was great to hear “You’re amazing!” and “I love you!” so many times because I don’t hear that. I didn’t feel loved or amazing in any way until you spoke to us. A stranger believed in me more than I believe in me. I can’t give up on anything; not on my dreams and not on life. Thank you. You made a difference in my life today.

Last week I tried out for a dance team at my high school. Dancing has been apart of my life for 10 years. I wanted to give up dance and find something else because I felt like I wasn’t good enough. Soon after tryouts I went to DYC. Every where I went it had something to say about dance. I felt like God was giving me a sign to not give up. During our adoration time I pictured what would’ve happened if I did make it my freshman year. The scenes were horrible and I lost all of my closest friends. I then pictured a second scenerio where it was my sophomore year and I made it and I kept all of my friends. I felt as if God was telling me dance was my calling. I was going through the bible and opened to Psalm 30:11 which is: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. I once again felt as if God where telling me to never give up. I’m not ashamed to share this expierence with people, in fact I get so excited to tell them. It lets them know God is choosing their path and when you want to give up he will lead you where he wants you.

Michael recently spoke at DYC. I went with my church parish members and I had no idea what I was in for. I expected a weekend of non-stop prayer and singing. What I got was an experience that changed my entire life. I’ve always tried so hard to fit in with the people at my school. I’d wear the costume of a different person every day so I wouldn’t be judged. Then, I met Michael. He taught me that I am the One and Only. This past weekend, has been the first time in years that I have been able to be myself without fear or doubt. Michael’s stories and humor that he incorporated into his talks were wonderful. It helped me relate. It makes me sad that I might never again get the chance to hear Michael’s talks again. But that’s okay, because from now on, I pledge to Michael and the entire world, that I will try my best to be myself. I will no longer be afraid of judgment. The last thing I said to Michael before he left, was that he inspired me. He delivered a great message that I want to pass on to others. I want to do what Michael does, not only because I’m inspired, but also because I know what it’s like to hit rock bottom. My name is Matthew, and I am a One and Only. Thank you, Michael.

Today, Michael came into my school band camp. We were rehearsing for our summer season tour. Not that I don’t enjoy band, I love it. It’s one of the only things I feel good about in my life. Most of the time. Last year, I was in the band and I had overdosed on acetaminophen twice on our summer tour. I didn’t feel like I belonged. I felt so out of place and unimportant. My home life was hard enough. Band being a second family, I felt that I was just tearing myself to pieces. I came from a broken family. I grew to learn that family isn’t always there when you need it the most. No one really is. This year, I was still contemplating suicide. I was in a bad relationship that left me crushed, home wasn’t any better, counselors were only temporary relief from the pain and all this brought my grades down because I couldn’t concentrate on anything else but the pain. I was actually going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve this year because I felt there was no hope. Until the minute Michael started speaking. “FAMILY: Forget About Me, I Love You.” is what stuck out the most to me. Band is a family. No matter how small your part is, you’re still important to the rest of the band. Even if you play the exact same part as someone else, you’re still important, because without you there, the song won’t sound the same. He told us to pay attention to the small things and notice them. Notice those who are having a bad day, notice the details in someone’s face, if they’re okay right now, notice them and accept them and love them. “If you’re one of those people who wants to be noticed, stand up.” He said. More than half the band stood. Including me. It was then that I realized that we aren’t very strong on our own. Together though, we are family. My band director told us to go shake hands with Michael as a thank you. I hugged him tightly and cried into his shirt. That was not a thank you enough for how he impacted me. Michael, if you’re reading this, thank you so very very much. You’ve reminded me that family is true love and without you coming in today, I probably wouldn’t have considered stopping the hurt I do towards myself. I’m still broken. But you’ve shown me that broken pieces don’t mean it’s un-fixable. I came from a broken family. And with those broken pieces, I created an entirely new masterpiece. The band family. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. “This is my family. I found it, all on my own. It’s little and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good” -Stitch

Michael came and spoke at my Grade 11 retreat this week. When I walked into the room I could tell that something was going to change. In the beginning there wasn’t one person who wasn’t crying because they were laughing so hard. All was good, we had lunch, then during the next session, things got deep. Everyone was crying and lives were being changed. Little did he know how many people in the room were contemplating suicide. Including myself. People who didn’t talk, were now embracing each other as they wept. It was amazing to see people who didn’t like each other, being there and listening to one another as they cried together. During the break I snatched Michael away for a couple minutes to talk. Although I didn’t stand up with everyone else who wanted to take their lives, I was not excluded from the group. I told Michael things that I’ve never told anyone, and that was probably one of the hardest, and scariest things I’ve ever had to do. He was extremely supportive and understanding, and that meant the world to me. The day went on, there were more tears and the Holy Spirit was on the move. The next day at school, it was a whole new atmosphere in the classes. I found out from numerous friends that they had tried to take their lives either the day before, or were going to when they got home. But the didn’t because Michael gave them hope. Thank you so much for coming way way north to Peace River and spending the day with us!

When Michael spoke, at first I thought he was a comedian. He had the whole audience laughing and smiling. I thought his stories were really interesting and enjoyed listening. But then he said “… But it’s not about how you feel when your with your friends, it’s how you feel when your behind closed doors. How you feel when you’re alone”. That’s when I started really paying attention to what he was saying. Those few words really struck me. He said “it’s being able to know that you will be able to keep going, and that you will be okay”. These were the best words spoken, in my opinion, because I think nowadays it’s so important that we all know, it WILL be okay. Thanks Michael. Meant a lot

Hi my name is Juancamilo and I am a 16 year old from Houston. During the summer I attended a shine work camp in San Antonio. One night we had a great motivational speaker who really got to me. After talking he asked for a volunteer and I was picked. He handed me a $50 bill and told me that I could do whatever I wanted with it as long as it multiplied the money and that I used the money to inspire someone. I multiplied this money in two ways, first I matched it with my own money and I used it for multiple people. My dad is currently on a mission trip in Guatemala and with him I sent ten soccer balls for the children there. I hope that the soccer balls will bring joy to the kids and that this story will inspire you do find your own way to give back with what you are given.

Today I would like to share my story with you. My story is like this: My family moved here 10 years a go with me, my sister, and my parents. Later on I got a little sister in Canada which made my story worse. Ever since I received education here I have been dealing with problems around my home. My parents and my older sister don’t speak fluent English and they still don’t now. Whenever some kind of business calls or anything related with English I had to deal with it, but every time I made a mistake my parents would call me useless and worthless and such. I had all these piled up within me. All these feeling I have never told anyone; none of my friends, no adult I could rely on, nor did I ever tell my best friends I hang around with. With years passing by I would be called more horrible things by my parents and even some of the family friends say that I’m useless too. So I just fake a smile and try to ignore but I always had these feelings piled inside me. But ever since Access52 came I felt really inspired. Even if I do keep these feeling piled up, I feel that I can look forward without regret and worries and try my best to keep a smile on my face. I’m really glad I got this far to get support from my friends, guest speakers, and teachers. I look forward to another day where I can cherish with my friends. I will continue to stand up because you have inspired me to never give up hope. I thank you!

This is my story: The first thing that has affected me most is when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I was fine at first but as the years went by I got more and more depressed. As a 6th grade student I was bullied to depression ( didn’t help that I was already depressed),so much to where I thought my only way out was suicide. Before I could try, my parents put me in a phycreatric hospital. I got out 8 days later feeling better. But sadly it didn’t last long. I got depressed again and there was nothing I could do. Didn’t help that last year when I was in grade 9 I was diagnosed with ADHD and chronic depression. I couldn’t help but eat my lunch in the corner outside where no one was and cry until the bell went. All I had was marching band it was the only real place I had friends. Sadly not long after, everyone was in my family was depressed and I felt like it was all my fault. I kept thinking my life is so dark and the only way out was suicide but I resisted the evil voices. All these feeling I held in. When I went to the presentation today, and the presenter said all those who are struggling stand up I stood up and when he said tell the people standing up that they are amazing and that you are there for them I started crying. All those feelings I held back for years just flowed out of me and the football team huddled around me and said that they are there for me and that meant a lot knowing that I had no friends in any other year other than a few. They cared sooo much that they talked to the coach and got me on the team. Finally someone someone cared about me. I felt like I could never be normal because of my diabetes but when they put me on that team I was normal, I was accepted as who I was. This is my story and for all those who feel the way I felt just remember never give up your moment will come

I have always been seen as that”happy all the time girl” and I understand why, I act happy because that’s what everyone wants. Last year was the hardest year of my life, it was the year I forgot who I was. I allowed my whole life to revolve on what my friend thought of me. I wanted her approval so badly. I was very depressed, because she pushed me away all the time. I always kept trying. I made myself believe I was a failure and that there was something wrong with me. My grades were low, I wore all black because she told me I didn’t look good in color. I even dressed how she wanted. I had to most struggle deciding who I was. It is so easy to forgot your identity. The saddest part is nobody even knew about my hurt, nobody know until this day. I spent so much time pretending I was always okay and smiling. I became a show. I was not real. A year later she decided we were no longer friends and that was so relieving to me. I began to find myself and be myself again. I learned a lot that year, and I thank God everyday for my life lesson. I see her in the hallways sometimes, I always smile at her. My smile is always real now. I wish her the best.

I am sharing my story today, hoping it can help someone. I spent my first 5 years of life in Haiti, living with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I don’t remember much of it, I don’t even remember if I knew I had parents. My mom told me, later in life, that she had moved to Canada to go to school and find a job. She didn’t know where my dad was. I moved to Canada and lived with my mom. It makes me sad to think about how I might have felt as a 5 year old that first night. Leaving all I knew behind and living with my mom who I had never really known. I remember starting 1st grade, I remember loving it and being excited to see my friends every morning. My mother was good to me all my life, we didn’t have much, but we made it work. My teenage years were hard though. My mom worked evenings and I would go home to our apartment and watch TV until I fell asleep. I was very depressed. So lonely. I had friends at school, but had a lot of trouble with the work. As high school approached, I heard more and more talk of university. I became overwhelmed. I wanted to have kids and give them a better life than I had, but I knew that meant going to university. I knew we could not afford it. I was surprised when my grade 10 year turned out to be great. I had lots of friends, did better in school, and started volunteering to keep me busy. I don’t remember exactly when, but sometime around grade 11, my mom finally told me her story. She told me when she was 16 years old, she was raped by her friend’s dad and uncle. Her friend never knew it happened. She told me how she was beaten by her parents when she told them she was pregnant. She left home and lived with her aunt. She to this day, does not know which one of the men she was raped by, is my father. In the next 2 years, I felt terrible about myself. “My father is a rapist” I kept on thinking. I felt like I shouldn’t deserve to be alive. I felt like I was going to turn into something evil like my father. I eventually started to find a relationship with God. Church was my safe place. I felt his presence all the time, and I really relied on him in my life. I was so thankful I found him. My mom brought home a boyfriend when I was in grade 12. He beat me and my mom and she seemed to look past it. I was angry at her for that. I never let the beatings affect me though. I had God now. My mom surprised me with a computer one day, I was so thankful to her for it. It helped me to…