Lower Campus Chapel welcomed the national speaker and leader, Kyle Pease, founder of the , a nonprofit that helps disabled athletes participate and succeed in sports. Kyle shared his , including getting diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 6 months old, playing sports with his brothers while growing up, graduating from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Sports Management in 2008, founding the non-profit in 2011, and completing five triathlons with his brother Brent while reminding students that they can do anything they set their mind to.
The Smith family whose two boys Henry, Class of 2031 and Sadler, Class of 2033 attend 糖心原创 and have a connection to the Pease family. The Smith鈥檚 partnered with MV to bring Kyle to Lower Campus. Henry and Sadler shared their personal friendship and partnership with The Kyle Pease Foundation. Watch Sadler鈥檚 introduction below.
During Kyle鈥檚 visit, he sang with our students, prayed with our students, and then shared his own personal testimony. Throughout Kyle鈥檚 life, he has struggled with cerebral palsy but strives to overcome his disability and enjoy athletics. His hope is to encourage others to work for their dreams, no matter what. At the end of Kyle鈥檚 visit, he reminded everyone that 鈥測es you can鈥� do anything you put your mind to and to 鈥済o out there and show the world what you can do.鈥�
Henry explained that he has heard many stories and speeches from Kyle and hears different takeaways every time, but this time he identified with how Kyle鈥檚 brother, Brent, helped him throughout their childhoods. Henry said, 鈥淢y brother is two years younger than me and Kyle made me think about how I need to include my brother in whatever I can.鈥�
One of Lower Campus鈥� Upstander Values is Grit, the courage to resolve and strength of character. Kyle embodies this Upstander Value perfectly, giving Lower Campus students someone to admire and model.
Lower Campus Head of Community & Culture, Elisse Hayes supplemented Kyle鈥檚 message by saying, 鈥淗is speech was a message of inclusivity, humility, and Impact. We need to include our friends in all different situations, including being nice when our friends can鈥檛 throw a ball as well as we can or if they can鈥檛 run as fast as others. It goes a long way when we are kind and inclusive to our friends.鈥�
Students were invited to reflect on their experience and share what they took away from meeting Kyle. Some examples can be seen below.
Kindergartener, Amaris S., felt for Kyle but also understood that he was strong, saying, 鈥淚 thought the chapel was good. But, when I was running around in the courtyard after, I was thinking that it wasn’t fair he was in a wheelchair but it was cool that he was still able to do what he wanted to do.鈥�
Grade 4 students, Saaba G shared how Kyle鈥檚 story may help her and her family get through a tough time, saying 鈥淢y uncle died a few months ago so it’s been really hard for my family. I just need to remember Kyle’s message of grit and perseverance, it might help us get through it.鈥�
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