|
|
Rebounding!
I expected 600 journalists to see my documentary film at the National Association of Broadcasters annual conference last weekend in Atlanta. Thirteen showed up. The movie-going media types chose to see John Singleton's "Four Brothers" and a documentary about the late comedian Robin Harris, films that were added to the schedule after I invested in the opportunity. All three movies played at the same time, forcing attendees to choose. It seems my big day was ruined by four fake brothers and one dead one!
When Everything Goes Wrong
Depressing, but that's not all. When I arrived at the screening, I discovered there was no wheelchair ramp for me to get onstage after the movie for the question/answer session! (I didn't think I needed to request one. They knew what the film was about.)
There's more! Add to that the fact that my chair wasn't taking a charge and I ran out of battery shortly before the screening, so I had to be pushed around before the movie and for the rest of the day.
Add to that the fact that it was raining in Atlanta when my plane departed, and the airline ground crew left my chair in the downpour so long that all of the cables and the main computer were still soaking wet when I arrived in Gulfport. My power chair was powerless. Airline personnel had to push me into my van so I could drive home.
And there's more! When I arrived home, the door on my van refused to open. Somehow, my dad was able to force it open, freeing me from the vehicle. But all week, I have been unable to drive and stuck in my old chair. The van is in the shop. The chair is repaired.
Beating Back Depression
Needless to say, I have been VERY depressed this week. The NABJ experience was a major kick in the stomach. I had invested dozens of hours and thousands of dollars carefully planning my approach to this event, confident that it would be launch pad to media coverage for the release of my book in October. It wasn't meant to be.
Today is Thursday. I have done nothing all week until today. Today I recorded my radio show, the first step back to becoming "The Strength Coach," once again. Tomorrow, I fly to Ft. Lauderdale to give a speech. Next Thursday is "Greg Smith Day" in Vicksburg, Mississippi! Football season is about to start and I'm coaching again. It seems after three days of sulking, I have realized I still have reason to go on.
This week's guest:
 Have you ever been so disappointed with the way something happened that you became depressed? What did you do to turn your mood around? I called my friend, Carole Copeland Thomas, and invited her to be a guest on my show. I was fortunate to meet her at both the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Speakers Association conferences during which I presented. She is an incredible keynote speaker, empowerment expert, diversity professional and leadership consultant who has seen the highs and lows I have been though the past month. Listen to the program to hear us discuss the power of resilience.
I am still a little weak from my recent hospitalization, and still angry and disappointed about my NABJ experience, but I'm on the way back, inspired by the on-air conversation you can hear this week on "The Strength Coach" radio show.
Learn more about Greg's resilience
You can study Greg's tenacity by reading his autobiography, "On A Roll: Reflections from America's Wheelchair Dude with the Winning Attitude."
The book will give you insight into maximizing your capabilities and leading a life of service.
Greg's Smith's success as a broadcaster, speaker and disability leader and marketer is filled with experiences everyone can learn from and appreciate. Read how he reinvented his life and battled against the devaluation of others to emerge victorious. Take a minute now to get your copy.
The Extra Point!
Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. -- Helen Keller
Greg's work is supported in part by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities. Does your state's DD Council support disability media initiatives? Why not? To find out how, call 1-877-331-7563.
|
|
|
