11th Annual
Courage To Come Back Awards |
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Who Inspires You?
Debbie Sesula inspires us!
Speech from the Media Launch on January 7, 2009
Being nominated for and then winning the Courage To Come Back Award was a real honour. I remember when I got the phone call of acceptance I cried - I was so shocked.
Then the flurry of activity began with the other recipients up until the gala. What an unforgettable night and experience of celebrating. Celebrating who we are as people, in addition to celebrating all those who loves and supported us along the way.
I was the recipient in the mental health category. So often we hear about the negative aspects of living with a mental illness. The Courage Award turns that around by bringing to light that recovery is possible. My struggle with mental illness took away seven years of my life, but as the clouds started to clear and the sun began to shine, having a mental illness has been a gift. If I had not gone through what I had, I would not have the strength, resilience, compassion, and depth of understanding that I now have because of my experience of living with a mental illness.
Winning the Courage To Come Back Award was also a gift. A gift in recognizing not only what we, as recipients, have gone through and what it took to come back, but also a gift in recognizing and acknowledging the positive aspects and contributions of people facing adversities.
Hearing stories of recovery can and does provide inspiration to others who are facing similar struggles. They see and hear how someone else has conquered adversity and that just might instill a glimmer of hope. Hope to carry on, hope to reach out for help because there is hope and there is help. Where I was and where I am today is like night and day. I climbed out of the darkness into the light. And that climb continues. We, as recipients, are living proof of recovery in action. For me, recovery is an ongoing process.
The Courage Awards demonstrate recovery in action. Who do you know who is an inspiration and a beacon of hope? Now is the time to celebrate their courage to come back and nominate them for this very prestigious award.
Think about the effect this will have on the person - the honor and pride they will feel for even being considered for this nomination.
Think about the effect this will have on yourself - waiting to honor and celebrate what this person has gone through.
Think about the effect this will have on yourself - waiting to honor and celebrate what this person has gone through.
Think about the effect this will have on others - the inspiration and hope this person's story will have on them.
Lastly, think about the effect this will have on society - the education and attempt at eradicating the stigma associated with people living with adversities.
Let's celebrate together the upcoming 2009 heroes for the Courage to Come Back Awards.
Nominations Deadline: February 16, 2009
> Courage NOMINATION FORM
> How To Submit An Outstanding Nomination
Why are we inspired by another person’s courage? Maybe because it gives us the sweet and genuine surprise of discovering some trace, at least, of the same courage in ourselves.
Forms will be available for pick up at Scotiabank branches, community and recreation centres, city halls, non-profit and service agencies, libraries and schools throughout BC, or download a PDF by clicking above or visiting www.theprovince.com/courage.
Nomination Categories
Mental Health: A person who has demonstrated inspirational achievements overcoming the challenges of living with a major mental illness, and who has given back to his or her community.
Physical Rehabilitation: A person who has demonstrated inspirational achievements following major trauma or injury which has required extensive physical rehabilitation (perhaps sustained in an auto accident, at work or during a recreational pursuit), and who has given back to his or her community.
Medical: A person who has demonstrated inspirational achievements overcoming the challenges of serious medical conditions (such as cancer, heart disease or AIDS), and who has given back to his or her community.
Addiction: A person who has demonstrated inspirational achievements overcoming the challenges of addiction and has maintained recovery for at least the past five years, and who has given back to his or her community.
Social Adversity: A person who has demonstrated inspirational achievements in the face of discrimination, abuse, poverty, or other significant adversity, and who has given back to his or her community. (In the case of new British Columbians, it may be the result of political upheaval or war experienced before settling here.)
Youth: A young person, under the age of 22 years as of December 31, 2008, who has demonstrated inspirational achievements overcoming illness, injury, addiction, or social adversity, and who has given back to his or her community.
Who Inspires You?
A friend, a neighbour, a colleague?
Nominations are open to all residents of British Columbia. Each of the six award recipients will have their stories told in The Province newspaper, on Global BC’s Early News, and on News1130 radio. Then, on Thursday, April 30, 2009, Coast will honour them at the 11th Annual Courage To Come Back Awards in front of their friends, families and nearly 1,000 special guests at the elegant Hyatt Regency Vancouver,
at a gala banquet hosted by Deborra Hope and Kevin Evans. This unforgettable night is always inspirational.
Please nominate someone this year. Nominations are open to all residents of British Columbia. Recipients and nominees often think they “just did what they had to” but their friends, families and colleagues tell us they are everyday heroes who inspire other people to face their own battles. Nominees say that the experience of being nominated has helped them realize how strong they have been and how far they have come. Always, nominee and recipient stories inspire others to overcome their own challenges. It is not necessary to purchase tickets to nominate someone.
Why does Coast Mental Health present The Courage To Come Back Awards?
Once a year we celebrate the achievements of remarkable individuals at the Courage Gala Dinner, and throughout British Columbia with our media partners who tell the recipient stories. They are ordinary British Columbians, our neighbours, our friends, who have faced seemingly insurmountable odds and who have come through with courage, strength and greater compassion for others.
At Coast, our clients living with a mental illness also show tremendous courage facing their daily challenges. In Coast’s housing facilities and service centres, there exists a community of people who strive daily to overcome illness, adversity and stigma. They, too, inspire us to care more, contribute more, to make a difference for the better. Proceeds from the event support Coast in reaching out to people with a mental illness.
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