TEDxDayton Talk

My nephew, Conor Crippen and I had the unique experience of giving a TED talk. As part of the TEDxDayton organization (an independently organized TED event), Conor and I prepared a duo presentation sharing the experience of releasing the burden of trauma. Conor speaks in the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury. At the age of 18, his ability to function was erased by a random and catastrophic accident. His words describing the experience of being “born twice” are inspiring. Conor speaks so eloquently about his fight to regain awareness and his life back.

Alongside Conor, I mirror his message from a family perspective. My sister and I are particularly close, and her children are like my own. When my nephew was critically injured, I was tested to find ways to resist the temptations of despair. How do you even begin to cope when thrust into uninvited circumstance? Where does hope live when darkness descends? How do you mobilize when overcome by brokenness? 

Although the experience of traumatic brain injury is unique, Conor and I prepared our talk so that our very personal account of brokenness could speak to the grander, universal human experience of how to navigate crippling adversity. My guess is that we all can relate to the quest to overcome. 

Although our story is compelling, preparing TED talk was, shall we say, challenging. Guided by the incredible team of TEDxDayton organizers and coaches, Conor and I were guided through the preparation process. In focusing our message, we were encouraged to re-write, re-think, and re-configure our talk so that our 10-minute presentation could be most effective. Believe me, Conor and I (well, mostly me) were challenged to stretch what we thought our message should be. Along with the other inspirational and educational TEDxDayton speakers, we spent the better part of the summer preparing our talk. I am very excited about hearing each speaker, as I know they worked as hard as Conor and I.

I encourage everyone to tune into the TEDxDayton 2020 event. Over the course of 4 evenings, you’ll be able to watch (from your own couch at home) speakers from our community whose messages will expand and enlighten. The roster of speakers is varied and their messages touch upon such wide-ranging and personal aspects of life. I am very excited to hear them all. The event will be four days: November 10, 12, 17, & 19, 2020 at 7 p.m. On each event night at 7 p.m., you can access the FREE YouTube livestream event at https://www.tedxdayton.com/2020-event/

Conor and I feel honored to be part of such an incredible experience. Despite the restrictions of Covid, we were able to cultivate relationships with those committed to the mission of TED philosophy. Dayton has many unique and exceptional features. TEDxDayton ranks among the best. I invite you to join in celebration of so many of our Dayton neighbors. See you beginning Tuesday.