Emma Gee’s presentation at Strathcona was incredibly powerful. Her central message that it is not the cards that are dealt to you, but how you play them is very positive and has lasting effects on her audience. Ex-students still talk to me about her presentation. She is open and honest, and her wonderful sense of humour shines through her inspirational presentation. Emma’s message is one that needs to be heard and she is a superb speaker. I could not recommend her more highly.
Scott Pannam
Year 12 Coordinator
Strathcona BGGS
I found Emma’s speech to be enlightening and moving. Her approach to life
is both courageous and insightful, and she engaged the audience with her
inspiring and humorous presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was
something I will always remember. Thanks Emma, for helping us challenge
our own outlook on life.
Yr 12 Student.
- Really loved Emma Gee
– A fantastic program – the sessions and the order in which they were scheduled
worked very effectively (especially having Emma Gee’s inspirational talk early on for all presentations to reflect and draw upon)
- Emma’s presentation was a great start to the day and set the scene for the rest of the day
- Very enlightening – helps me to understand more what ABI’s about. Emma Gee is so great to share her struggles, feelings and ongoing ups and downs. She presented herself so well with her journey
- Emma’s talk was the best public speaking presentation I’ve ever seen!
Emma’s presentation encouraged Staff to consider a day in her shoes and those of others who have experienced injury or illness. The reminder of the challenges people can face performing their daily activities was highly emotive and left a lasting impression. Staff reported feeling the ‘Emma Effect’ and gave examples of how they approached client scenarios differently following her presentation.Thank you Emma for being so generous with your stories and we hope to have you speak on other topics!
Emma presented at the UnitingCare Community Options 2009 Staff Conference
A UCCO Staff Member commented on her performance;
“…So I’d like to let you know that I was very moved by your presentation. In particular the way you turned such a traumatic life changing event into an opportunity to lead and inspire others. The way you shared your story was very accessible. I was particularly grateful for the insight that applying for funds in the negative is not just philosophically flawed but also but really counter productive for someone who is healing and needing to focus all their energy on their strengths. I also admired your presentation skills – the shoes were a great way to punctuate the episodes of your life and make your point about being person centered. I also appreciated your ability to incorporate the theme of new growth which you epitomize I think…Best wishes for your new career – our industry is lucky to have your services and I’m sure you will be in demand.“.
Emma presented for the third time at Caulfield Hospital – Interdisciplinary Seminar – Wednesday 17 June 2009
Topic: Putting yourself in the patient’s shoes
Comments included;
Influence my whole out look and approach to pts. Hearing from the pts perspective is greatly beneficial and it would be good to hear similar stories / perspectives. Fantastic and thought provoking and engaging. Made me feel good to be an OT and have ability /potential to make lots of changes, impact that you suggested. Thanks Emma.
You have reinforced the true meaning of being client centred and how critical it is to a client’s recovery. Invaluable speech. I will never forget. You are amazing. A real inspiration, I am speechless. I’ve never maintained such a high level of concentration throughout such a session.
Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Seminars on Corporate Empathy
“ I found Emma to be thoroughly inspiring and very engaging. The focus on corporate empathy is extremely relevant to the work we do in Service Improvement and the client service strategies we attempt to promote throughout the organisation. I think Emma’s sessions should be compulsory attendance for all TAC staff!”
Caulfield General Medical Centre (CGMC) 2009 Inservice –
The evaluation of the actual topic and Emma was very favourable with:
100% rating the topic as relevant to their work at CGMC.
“Emma your session was marvellous…The feedback was wonderful, everyone thought you were interesting, the content was very relevant to our work, we could have listened to you for longer !! There was nothing but exceptionally positive feedback” Sally Costar - Manager , Patient and Family Services
Caulfield General Medical Centre
OSBORN SLOAN & ASSOCIATES
” Emma Gee is indeed an inspirational speaker! Emma’s first hand account of her experiences following brain injury have provided our students and therapists with invaluable insights into the possibilities for recovery after a life changing event. She inspires us to look beyond the disability and her examples of dealings with health professionals challenge us to reflect on our own clinical practice. Emma’s talks are extremely professional and presented with interest and humour. She is a courageous young woman who I recommend without hesitation”.
Sue Sloan
Clinical Neuropsychologist & Occupational Therapist
Director, Osborn Sloan & Associates
THE GEELONG HOSPITAL:
“Emma was a truly amazing speaker- having captured the attention of everyone in the room before she even spoke. Her personal perspective was enlightening and inspiring and her presentation was easily a standout of the day, offering valuable insight into the importance of client-centered practice” Alison Christie
Speech Pathologist Acute Stroke Unit
The Geelong Hospital
CAULFIELD HOSPITAL 09:Emma presented at Caulfield Hospital’s Interdisciplinary Seminar in April 2008. Her presentation was inspirational and outstanding. The room was overflowing with clinicians and never before have I witnessed such a buzz around the rganization caused by one speaker, both in the lead up to the seminar, and in the months afterwards.Lisa Gill, Manager, Clinical Innovation & Interdisciplinary Projects, Caulfield Hospital:
Caulfield Hospital Evaluation Comments:
In relation to the relevance, quality and effectiveness of Emma’s seminar, 98% of attendants rated her topics as relevant to the work at CGMC. Additional comments included:* Emma was spot on for the audience. We were all moved.* Brilliant-useful to the max and emotionally-very moving* This was outstanding-impact of personal experience* Well presented, good use of technology and photos and cartoons and humour.
Kaye Mair, Occupational Therapist
Congratulations on such an inspiring and thought provoking and engrossing presentation. I know you had a few problems with the audio visuals but for me it just highlighted further, your adaptability and wonderful sense of humour. I went home thinking about your presentation and then had several discussions with various staff members the next day….the mark of a worthwhile presentation.
Steve Bradbury: National Director TEAR Australia & International Chairman Micah Network:I thought your speech on Tuesday night was simply brilliant. Over the years I have had the privilege of hearing many wonderful addresses from some outstanding speakers. But your address on Tuesday night was right up there with the best speeches I have heard…It is not just that you have an important and personal story to share, it is also your ability to share it with creativity, profound insight, humour and compassion.
Michelle Collins, Speech Therapist: Emma is a unique and accomplished speaker who uses insights from her personal and professional experiences to challenge and stimulate her audience. Emma’s humour, creativity, and unflinching honesty both captivate and give pause for self-reflection, and her strength and perseverance will undoubtedly inspire and astonish. Hearing Emma’s story and the insights she has acquired along the way is a must for anyone studying or working in a person-centred field. But a word of advice: leave your professional ego at the door!
Nichola Terrington: Occupational Therapist (Peter James Centre):Emma’s presentation gave us great insight into the experience of a patient and how we can make our therapy more client centred. The in service was presented in a very professional manner and each person who attended found it to be highly valuable.
Prue Morgan, Neurology Lecturer, Physiotherapy Dept, Monash University’
‘The students found Emma’s talk to be engaging, relevant, humorous and inspirational, illustrating concepts relating to communication challenges in the patient/therapist relationship. I would highly recommend her as a speaker for the undergraduate allied health setting.
Gaby Veliz, Occupational Therapist Very enlightening and has impacted the way that I practise, by helping me questionthe way I approach things as an OT.
Sharon Taylor, Guide Dogs Victoria I found her presentation very inspiring and one of the most professional and well prepared presentations I have heard. Emma had researched her audience and the organization very well and incorporated that into her talk to increase rapport and relevance to her audience. Emma captured the audience by providing real life examples, experiences and photos of her journey. She was open and honest about her experiences and hearing this as a fellow worker in the rehab/disability field was much appreciated.I would highly recommend Emma as a speaker and wish her all the best in her life and her new career path.
Janelle, Occupational Therapy student I will be a better OT because of you…