Shelby's Life and Whatnot

First Place!

I won first place at my Toastmaster's contest this morning! The competition was tough...I think. I didn't actually get to see anyone else compete. There were 5 contestants and we drew numbers for contest order. I was chosen last. The advantage of going first is that you get to watch everyone else's speech. But since Table Topics are very short I didn't have to wait long. Instead I stood back with the other contestants and while they told each other bad Irish jokes, I listened to my iPod. Someone said, "Oh, does that calm you?" and I said "Um, yeah." When in fact I was listening to Pink's "Get The Party Started." I didn't need to be calmed, I needed to get PUMPED!

When it was my turn I did indeed get a lame question. The question was, "What is your most significant contribution to society?" Oh come ON! In 2-3 seconds you expect me to select what my most significant contribution to society is, and then talk about it? My mind raced. And then I just started talking. I started with the declaration, "I have a heart condition." I think the members of my own club are getting really sick about hearing about my heart condition, considering this is the fourth time I've started something with, "I have a heart condition." But hey, whatever works, right? I then quickly moved on to an extremely brief explanation of my ICD and what that is. Then I talked about how when I first got my ICD I felt lonely and scared and so I reached out for help on the Internet. I joined an internet group and got a tremendous amount of support. Then, all of a sudden, I found myself in the position of giving support to others. I help ease their anxiety and answer questions about their ICDs. Being able to be there for others in my situation is my most significant contribution to society.

TA-DA!

Our club Vice President came over during the break and said "you're definitely going home with a trophy" (there were two--winner and runner up). As it turns out--he was right! I got the top honors. I'll post pictures of the trophy but it needs a minor modification. On top it has a man standing at a lectern, and obviously I am not a man, so I can take it back to the trophy place (which, as it turns out, is quite close) to have it swapped out for a woman. Once that's done, I'll take pictures and post them here.

There was also the International Speech Competition, which I was not eligible for because you have to have given 6 speeches. I'm proud to say that Club 192's very own John Kosczki won runner up! His speech on how to give a eulogy, "A Few Kind Words" was fabulous and his trophy was well-earned!

For anyone reading this who has an ICD or who is a loved one of someone with an ICD, I invite you to visit the discussion board I helped set up, www.ICDSupportGroup.org.