Making a Difference
In this piece I want to reflect on my presentation at the University of Wollongong 2022 Showcase last week. When preparing for any presentation I always make contact with the event organiser to ensure what I deliver meets the themes and outcomes of the event and this was no different. The aim was to share my story and mention the links I’ve had with certain university projects over the past few years. Pretty straightforward task if you ask me.
But as I put the presentation together it felt like there was a gap in-between the story itself and these seemingly random studies I’d been involved in. It’s obvious how my attack relates to the studies of James Forsyth as he was investigating the impacts of the attack and surgery by comparing data he had beforehand with how I operate anatomically today. There’s links in the work I’d done with MHM and their research with Alisha McGregor on measuring the impacts of mental health education and training in the workplace. But it became more difficult when talking about the work Marc In Het Panhuis was doing to advance futuristic and sustainable technology in surfing with Surf Flex Labs. Even more so when highlighting the work I’d done with Sam Tolhurst in creating a series of videos to secure more funding and support for the amazing work that Deirdre McGhee does with Breast Research Australia.
As I thought about it a common theme began to stick out. This theme is my motivation and aim in life which has become the ability to use my story and experience to try to help others and make a difference in the world. For the longest time I always thought this would be serviced mainly through my speaking and sharing my story on stage but reflecting on all of these projects I’ve found out there’s more to it. Beyond just sharing my story I’ve been lucky enough to be able to be involved in these numerous projects at the university that I can be proud to look back on and know I was able to live by my values and make a difference in these various fields.
I think a lot about what I want my 'legacy' to look like at the end of all of this and whilst I always thought it was strange to think about legacy in your 20's it's truly become a great way to continually define my purpose and know that I'm on the right path and doing the right things in life.
That was the connection I needed to link this whole presentation together. The University itself is an amazing platform that allows people of all ages, skills, knowledge bases and backgrounds to develop a purpose and use that to make a difference in the world. I loved being able to pull this one together and it’s another moment I’m incredible grateful for in this journey of mine.