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Enjoying My Role As an Inspirational Speaker

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Inspirational Speaker - Chet McDoniel speaks to Goodwill KansasThis past weekend, my dad and I journeyed out to speak four times at three different locations in two different states.  We first arrived on Thursday night in Wichita, KS, were I spoke to Goodwill Easter Seals of Kansas.  Goodwill was celebrating the year with an awards banquet, and we watched as so many employees were rewarded for their hard work.  We also heard some of the best “acceptance speeches” ever.  One young lady simply walked up to the microphone after receiving her award and announced, “Woohoo!”  I think the Academy Awards recipients in Hollywood need to take a cue from these Goodwill employees.  It was a fantastic night, and I was so glad to get to tell my story and inspire those serving the community in Wichita, KS.

Next, on Friday, we boarded the plane headed for Sacramento, CA (after a stop back in DFW…gotta love the routing of the airlines).  After landing, we drove to Stockton, CA, where we both were to speak for Stockton Pregnancy Healthcare.  Their annual banquet was held at an area country club, and the dinner was “luau” themed.  After eating some great food, my dad and I told our story.  We had a great crowd and they were very attentive despite a loud party going on in the room next to ours.  I was so impressed by what Stockton PHC has been able to do with very little financial support, and we hope that those at the banquet that evening were able to help continue the pro-life cause in Stockton, CA, with their donations.

We took Saturday to drive to San Francisco to see “Wicked.”  Such an awesome show, and what a great lesson to learn about not judging others by the color of their skin.

Finally, on Sunday, we spoke twice at Quail Lakes Baptist Church in Stockton.  This church was rockin’, and they were so welcoming to us.  I was so impressed by the multitude of races represented in their membership.  I firmly believe that God intends for our churches to reflect the racial makeup of the world around us, and it was so refreshing to see people from so many different backgrounds worshiping together.  Quail Lakes Baptist and Pastor Marc are to be commended for not excluding anyone from the message of the Gospel.

In closing…I LOVE my job as an inspirational speaker!!!  I was glad to get home to my family, but even though it was tough being away from home, I absolutely loved the ability to simply tell my story and for others to be touched by it.  Praise God for the amazing things He is doing right before our eyes!

Walking “Hand-in-Hand”

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Inspirational Speaker - Chet McDoniel walks hand-in-hand with his daughter.This past week, my family and I traveled to Baltimore, MD, for the 2009 Care Net Conference.  In their own words, Care Net and their network of more than 1,100 pregnancy centers offer hope to women facing unplanned pregnancies by providing practical help and emotional support.  I attended the conference as an exhibitor to talk to various people about my story and pro-life speaking opportunities.  The conference was wonderful and not only did I get to meet so many people, but those new people made me feel as if I were already part of the Care Net family.

While the conference was great, my favorite part of the trip was the couple of days after the conference when my daughter, Hannah, and wife, Joni, and I got to play in Baltimore.  At one point during those two days, my wife told Hannah to “hold daddy’s hand while we walk” because Joni’s hands were full and we were in a crowded area.  Now, before you think my wife was being insensitive, in our family, we exchange the words “foot” and “hand” all of the time when referring to me as my feet serve as my hands.   We’ve never gotten hung up on word choices.

What amazed me, though, is that our 18-month daughter had already picked up on this, and when instructed, she walked right over to me and grabbed my foot.  We came together in that pose many times throughout the trip, and I’m sure we will many times to come.  What is so inspiring and amazing to me is Hannah’s acceptance of what is “normal” in our family.  She doesn’t know any differently, so she treats me with full acceptance and love unlike the world around me that often treats me as handicapped before they get to know me.  Hannah’s attitude shows what we all could be like if we simply treated others with respect and love without judging others based on looks.

I love my girl just as much as any other father loves his child, and my daughter loves me with no regard to how I look.  That is amazing.

In-service Program – Inclusion: Out of the Box – In Shirley, AR

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Chet McDoniel gives an in-service program in Shirley, ARLast week, I was invited to give an inservice program in Shirley, AR to the Shirley ISD teachers and administrators about how they could have a truly happy, successful year. My dad was with me for this one, and we spoke on what school was like for me growing up and how much it meant for me to be included in the classroom…instead of being secluded due to my handicap.

In 1985, when I began Kindergarten in Bossier City, LA, the way of handling a child with a handicap was to send them to a “504 Location.” That meant that all the children with special needs (whether they be mental or physical) were sent via bus to a special location instead of being allowed to go to the school that served their respective neighborhoods. For me, this would have meant riding a bus across town instead of getting to go to school with my friends at the elementary school less than a quarter mile away.

Through many contacts and helpful, forward-thinking people, my parents were able to get me “mainstreamed” at the local elementary school. In fact, I was one of the first kids with special needs to be “mainstreamed” in Louisiana. Obviously, this decision had a huge impact on my self-confidence as I was able to play and learn right alongside those without disabilities.

Chet McDoniel signs a book with his feet at an in-service program in Shirley, ARIn Shirley, AR, we presented the story of my life, and showed why inclusion of those with special needs is so important. We played a game where the teachers were challenged to include a group member who was experiencing a mental challenge and couldn’t participate like the rest of the group. For this in-service program, I wanted to help teach how these educators can open their eyes to making sure every child and parent feels accepted. We had a fantastic morning, and are still hearing from teachers in Shirley, AR, about how wonderful the in-service program was, and how much they are now looking forward to this new school year.

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