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Keynote Information For Clients Speaking Evaluation From Client
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Million Dollar Round Table Write up following Dan's Presentation - Main Platform Keynote
- "Dream
Makers" -Dan
Miller “H eartache, pain, suffering and griefcome to everyone,” Dan Miller told the Main Platform audience. “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional and joy is a choice.” Miller’s life took a sudden turn when he was still a teenager, but with people in his life he considers dream makers, he has accomplished just as much — and perhaps more — than he planned. He was a healthy recent high school graduate with big dreams to become a physical education teacher, pilot, guitar player, husband and father. A few weeks later, what he thought was a bad case of the flu was diagnosed as polio. “In one week, I went from a healthy 18-yearold athlete to a helpless 18-year-old baby,” Miller said. In a week’s time, he lost the use of both legs and both arms. It was difficult to be hopeful during that time, but Miller’s dream makers believed in him and encouraged him. Hundreds of cards and letters poured into his hospital room with words of prayer. Though he didn’t know many of the people who prayed for him, he’s sure their prayers worked. “I turned out great. I only lost one arm,” he said. “I only lost 85 percent [use] of my legs.” Miller slowly regained his strength, moving from a hospital bed to a wheelchair. When he could walk with a crutch, he left for college. Though he fell down often while navigating the campus, there were always nice people around to help him back up. Miller was motivated to achieve his original dreams, even though he knew they would be more difficult to accomplish following his illness. He still wanted to teach physical education, even though his own physical capabilities had decreased. He met with the head of the physical education department, determined to continue to pursue his dream. To his surprise, the professor said, “Well, let’s see what you can do.” “There’s a dream maker,” Miller said. “That’s what I needed. It was just like he said, ‘Go for it, I believe in you, I know you can. I’m behind you, you can do it.’ These are positive, powerful dream-maker statements that give courage to take risks and go for dreams.” With that vote of confidence, Miller went on to earn his master’s degree in physical education. He was hired as supervisor of elementary physical education and traveled to 15 schools and taught demonstration lessons. His creative, innovative ideas drew a statewide audience, and Miller was hired as an adjunct professor for Central Washington University. “I never have been able to jump or run or do push-ups or pull-ups or climb ropes or jump rope,” he said. “I met my dream because I met a dream maker.” He challenged the audience to consider their dreams. “Are you on track?” he asked. “Have they been smashed or broken or crushed? Are you afraid to dream again?” Miller also encouraged attendees to be dream makers for others. “Are you the ones who encourage other people?” he asked. “Do they want to hang around you because of it? That’s what a dream maker is.” Another dream Miller accomplished was marrying a woman who makes him happy. She has been his dream maker and believes he can do anything. With her encouragement, Miller got his pilot’s license and has flown 1,000 hours, fulfilling another childhood dream. The list doesn’t end there. Miller has golfed, played guitar in a band and raised a family that has now brought him eight grandchildren. “Judy and I are still dreaming,” he said, “and I hope you are, too.” RTT July/August 2007 Round the Table www.mdrt.org |