Category Archives: Volunteer
Wisdom from My Flaming Hot Rod Wheelchair – A “Wisdom & Wonder” TEDxFrontRange talk in 2015
My people
and I had the most amazing Saturday in Loveland at the TEDxFrontRange event. If you did not get the opportunity to attend live, we will have a video link soon. It was pretty awesome all the way around and I met some really amazing new friends.
For those who don’t know, TED, Technology Entertainment and Design, first was founded in 1984 amongst the Silicon Valley folks and it began the talks in 1990. TEDx is the local community version of the “ideas worth sharing” ritual made so popular by TED TALKS.
Facebook is famous for TED Talk links.
And so, the talk began:
Hello, my name is Nick Roussos and this is my job coach, Audrey Hendricks. I am so excited to be part of the TEDxFront Range talks this year. I am a man living with [spastic] cerebral palsy, a complication which developed at birth. As a result, my vocal chords do not speak my words.
It is ironic that someone like me, who speaks differently than most people, is giving a TED Talk at this TEDxFrontRange event. It just goes to show how far technology, and more importantly humanity, has come.
Support your local TEDx Talks. They really are ideas worth sharing and we find them in musicians, technology experts, teachers and administrators, slam poets, athletes, and yes, even guys in flaming hot-rod wheelchairs.
Thank you to all the TEDx volunteers and brain children who made it possible to speak.
33 Third Graders “Walk In My Shoes” at Stansberry Elementary School
Jan. 15, 2015 A Big Thank You to Mrs. Bush and her 3rd grade class at
Stansberry Elementary School in Loveland, Colorado
Nick Roussos presented “Walk in My Shoes”, his disability awareness workshop, to 33 eager and active 3rd graders. Nick, and assistants Audrey and Sue, had a great time interacting with the students as they learned how to use a wheelchair and try out a communication device. We also had a discussion about Disability Etiquette which is: Good manners in our actions and speech with people who have a disability. This was a large class, but they were very respectful and attentive. Thank you for being such great participants!
Nick told them, “I hope that I can open your eyes today, and give you a perspective on what a person who is differently abled can achieve. Remember, people with special needs are just the same as you. Everyone has something that makes them feel different than others; shyness, clumsy or uncoordinated, too tall, too short, too thin, too heavy, language differences, color of skin, etc. We shouldn’t treat anyone different than we would like to be treated.
The words and actions you chose can really affect the people who hear them. We all live in one community, one world, and we can make it better for everyone if we show each other the same amount of respect that we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
I challenge you to leave here with a new perspective that is two fold; first, do not limit yourself. You are capable of amazing and great things- nothing can stop you from pursuing your dreams. And second, do not place limitations on others especially those who are differently abled. When allowed to soar, you will be surprised how far a person, even one faced with great challenges such as myself, can go.
Remember Life is Awesome!”
Nick Roussos is the author of Helping in Action, a children’s adventure based on his childhood as a boy with cerebral palsy, growing up in Africa. He conducts workshops, in Northern Colorado, for any age group on the topics of disability awareness, anti-bullying, and self-esteem. Please email with interest in a presentation at your school or service organization!: nick@totalspeed.com
Awesome in Action, Co 