Michael Bortolotto

I wasn't with the class this morning, but it looks like everyone brought in some really interesting items for our D sharing!

This afternoon we were treated to a visit from a man named Michael Bortolotto.  Here is a little bit of information about him that I took from his website:

Michael Bortolotto, is a successful professional speaker who lives with Cerebral Palsy. For the past twenty-two years people of all ages have been inspired, motivated, educated, and entertained by his "CAN DO" attitude. 
By using real life experiences and examples, he encourages and persuades his audience to rethink, what they may believe is impossible to realizing anything is possible by being determined, persistent, and focus on 
the end result.

He talked to us for about half an hour about some of his struggles growing up.  He also told a story about how much he loved apples as a child and the first time he saw a pineapple he said "yuck" because it didn't look as shiny and smooth and pretty as the apples he loved so much.  He didn't want to try the pineapple just because it looked so different.  Then one day, his Grandpa encouraged him to try one and he was so pleasantly surprised by what was on the inside of that prickly exterior.  He related this to people and pointed out that we all look different and we need to take time to get to know what's inside each other, our hearts, our thoughts and our ideas.

It was a very powerful assembly.  It would be interesting to talk to your child and find out what message he/she took away with him/her.