On Tuesday 28th January, motivational speaker Stuart Myers visited Brampton College to speak to our first year A level students. Stuart went to the same primary school as our Principal, John Wilson (though was keen to point out he was a few years below John!). Stuart was born with no arms and shared his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and never giving up. When faced with a task that he initially cannot do, Stuart remembers the quote from the inventor of the lightbulb, Thomas Edison: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
He talked about attending a main stream school and leaving at the age of 16 to get a job. He has pursued a variety of careers including graphic designer and working with parents of disabled children. He also explained how he is able to drive his specially adapted BMW using his feet! Students were invited to ask questions at the end. One student asked how Stuart gets up if he falls over so Stuart invited the student to lie on the floor and then attempt to get up without using his arms.
Stuart’s closing words to students were thought-provoking. He was telling them that he used to use slides for his talk and although he doesn’t anymore, the last slide in his deck was memorable. It was a grainy picture of an aeroplane soaring across the sky. The slide had a caption – “always reach for the sky.” He described it as a cheesy slide with a cheesy slogan, but then, in his understated way said that he liked the picture because it was taken from the ground while he was the one flying the plane. Let’s think about that for a minute! Thank you, Stuart – you were great!