The following are emails sent directly to Kevin that display the impact of his story…

October 26, 2009
Woodstock High School
New Brunswick, CANADA

Kevin,

A thousand times over you’ve probably received an email such as this…so I guess this is 1001.I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation today. It was effective for our students. The attention they paid you today, the fact that I could have heard a pin drop for an hour with 350 young people waiting to hear your every word speaks to the power of your message. That you deliver it so well, with so much emotion and with so much humor speaks to the amazing individual you most certainly are.As a father with three boys aged four this presentation hit home for me on many levels. I still remember as a nine year old when my father’s youngest brother was killed in an alcohol related accident. Changes many lives forever.

You’ve turned a tragedy into a million positives. It is all about choices, and your choice to take out that trach tube and breathe each day and your subsequent recovery and speaking engagements have no doubt already saved many a life.The quote I include at the tail end of my emails will now always remind me of you.

Keep on keepin’ on.

Cheers.
Stephen M. Bridgeo
Athletics Director
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” - Albert Pine

October 28th, 2009
Bonar Law Memorial School
Rexton, New Brunswick CANADA

Hello

After leaving your presentation this morning I felt compelled to send you off an email. I wanted to come over and talk to you myself but the students had you surrounded!! First of all, you should know, that in my 4 years as a teacher, I have never saw a speaker that could keep students’ attention they way you did today. I was amazed! They were so into it - and they couldn’t stop talking about it when we went back to class. Many of them were so touched during your presentation that they were brought to tears - even one of the guys admitted he was too:) Not only did you get the students thinking, but you really got me thinking too. I was shocked at your resilency, and also your ability to find the positive out of an absolute tragic situation. Your motivation to keep moving forward is awesome. Before I start to get frustrated or stressed about something simple I will think twice from now on, I can tell you that I won’t soon forget your presentation!
Thanks for doing what you do and thanks for getting my students to think! Every Friday when the bell rings I always tell my students to have a great weekend and to make good decesions, and hopefully now they will!

Thanks again,
Christa Gallivan
History/Social Studies Teacher

Thanks Kevin. I was a teacher in your audience this morning — could have heard a pin drop for the whole hour and a half! And I’m also the mom of three teenagers (one who was in the audience), so thanks for being my voice only ‘clearer.’~ Wendy Lawson~

 Hi, my name is Lacey. I was a student in the audience at Bonar Law and your presentation really moved me. Continue what your doing because I know when I looked around at others I could see all the compassion , sadness and shock. I know you have made a real difference and I know you will go far , good luck with your book and like your sister… I wish that you would walk again! Keep having faith. God Bless You!!!! ~Lacey Young~

Awesome presentation today Kevin, I was a student in the audience at Bonal Law Memorial High School, and enjoyed the presentation. I’ve been to several different presentations from TADD because I am highly involved in TADD, also many different speakers have came to the school since I’ve been in grade 9 and now in grade 12. This was by far the most interesting and best presentation so far that I’ve been in the audience for. Also this was the most effective one, keep doing what your doing, your changing people’s perspective on life and your doing amazing, keep going your definitely making a difference!!! ~ Brent Fearon~

Hey Kevin, my name is Heidi Mollins and I was a student in the audience at Bonar Law this morning. I’m a TADD member and I’m glad your doing what your doing because each presentation you do, every school and place you go to, your touching someone’s life in some way. You touched mine for sure and I think everyone should know the love you have to give to others and that you care. I can’t imagine what you went through, but I feel blessed just to know you. God is mysterious and we don’t always know “why”, but I think this is what he wants you to do and your doing great! When you get your book published I’m going to make sure I get a copy and tell everyone about it. I also hope to get a poetry book published and one of them is about drinking and driving. You have inspired me to write even better, so thanks! I’ll try to write often. Good luck to you, your family and your travels.