Personal Empowerment & Motivational Speaking
On October 6th, 1990, Robert became an innocent victim of a violent crime which left him completely blind as well as without the ability to smell or taste. The greatest injury of all however was the inability to become accepting to what had been taken away from his life. The normal every day things that were second nature to any human’s life had been taken away and replaced with fear, loneliness and anger. The dreams, goals and directions in the mind of Robert became erased for reasons that will never be understood. Even more so, his passion in life to make a difference to others became non existent. After a set of words, a loving touch and many tears a small light began to shine once again. It was far away and filled with questions but never the less a glimpse of hope.
Several years of life passed by with much time allowed for Robert to search for his own self. In the fall of 1995 he attended an All State meeting for the Washington State Department Services for the Blind Employees. Robert was invited as a special guest for he was visiting the Great North West to look at the possibilities of becoming a licensed Blind Vender for Washington State. He had already graduated the Business Enterprise Program in the State of New Jersey but at the time there were no openings available for opportunities.
While attending this meeting he had the enjoyment of listening to a play that was being held 20 feet in front of his table. This play was about racial diversity. Towards the end of this great performance, questions came from people in the audience. The first question came from a woman who was an employee of the Washington State Department Services for the Blind. She had complimented how well the performance was and that she would love to see more of the groups work again in the future. The second thing that she said was that it would be nice if they did a play on being blind for so many people need to know more about that disability.
As the minutes went passed and several people who worked for the State raised there hands and gave positive comments and curious good questions the very first set of words that the woman made stuck in the mind of Robert. When all the questions and comments were coming to an end Robert felt that there was something that he needed to express to the actors, actresses and people in the audience. Prior to the beginning of the show, Robert was informed by another State employee that each of the people who were part of the play was of a different nationality. The Nationalities ranged from Asian, Spanish, African American, American Indian and Caucasian. Being the very last person in the crowd Robert raised his hand to share his feelings.
It was at this time that the little light that seemed to be so far away started to become larger and closer to the eyes that no longer worked for Robert. Along with this light came a golden feeling of strength, courage and indomitable spirit that was all so much needed. Robert stood up and introduced him self to the people of the room. Following this he congratulated the performers on how great of a show that they had given. Next Robert then said to the people of the audience and the performers that the reason why it was done so well is because each and every one of the people in this show demonstrated what he and she lives with every day for each of these individuals are from different cultures that have faced challenges throughout there lives.
Robert then said “However the ability to have these people demonstrate what it is to be blind, how the every day challenges are face, and the reasons why it is worth getting up out of bed each day with this disability and moving on with life can only be demonstrated by someone who has lived with such. There is not a way to know what it is like to lose an ability to see with the eyes unless the person who explains had lost his or her ability to see.
It was at this point that Robert found that purpose in life once again. Often he calls it “Making the difference.” Prior to the terrible incident that happened in 1990, the things that Robert held onto in life were things that made the difference to others. Time and time again Grand Master Goh would say to Robert what you put out in life is what you get back. Today Robert shares his story to many walks of life. His story covers several issues that include disability, being a victim, financial loss and depression.
Amazingly enough, these issues are more common then realized to people in this day and age. His words and story has traveled from Organizations, Corporations and schools across the Country. The story and journey in life has made the difference. It is without question that the constant cohesion of all things in the universe is real and all around us.
Today, the eyes of Robert still are unable to bring sight, but realizing once again his purpose in life and how vital it is to love ones own self has brought him vision once again!
For information on having Robert come and speak at your next event please feel free to contact him at pilsung@comcast.net
