Tracey McCann: motivation and overcoming difficulties
Tracey McCann is a former Dublin Business School student who graduated in Psychology. This is a fantastic achievement itself, when one considers all this brave lady has overcome. She gave a talk in the Aungier St Auditorium on 10th October 2018 and described how, with her boyfriend Patrick, she has travelled the world on holidays that give back help to local communities.
“The first step is to get out of your comfort zone. I changed my life by actively seeking changes.”
Tracey was introduced by Shane Mooney, head of the Student Experience team at DBS. The talk was recorded by Susan Sweeney, the media lecturer, who filmed and photographed. So students will be able to check it out for themselves.
Tracey explained on screen and through a computer voice simulation, that she had been an ordinary girl growing up until the age of eight. Then a condition called rapid onset muscular dystonia took over her life.
Her muscles went into painful spasms and her limbs twisted, and she lost most of her speech. This beautiful, slim and charming young lady looks quite normal now, but this is a result of much time and effort.
Tracey says she hopes to lead by example and she really does know that the first day at college can be frightening, the challenges faced by a student can feel overwhelming.
“I understand it can be hard to fit in, and start in a new place. Talking helps. Keep on going, commit yourself to a conscious decision to be an active participant.”
Tracey added that she felt she was not good enough, and this was disempowering and depressing. She had to change her mindset.
“The first step is to get out of your comfort zone. I changed my life by actively seeking changes.”
For instance, Tracey did not attend a special school as her mother knew she wanted to be in her usual school. Her teacher insisted Tracey was going to join the school choir like everyone else, which she dreaded as she could no longer sing. From that positive experience Tracey went on to join a drama group and fitness groups, and now she is regularly abroad with a travel company.
Although Tracey communicates well with the assistive communication technology, she put off using it as she did not like the American-accented robotic female voice. But this has enabled her to become a motivational speaker.
During questions her boyfriend Patrick helped interpret Tracey’s responses using her own voice. I asked how they met. They met at a disco, when Patrick was nineteen, at an evening that had been arranged for anyone with physical difficulties. Patrick is a stroke survivor.
The couple’s adventures sounded fantastic as they first dared to travel to Cyprus on a trip which allowed them to give back — sorting cans in a local Cans for Kids project.
This was just one day of the trip and turned out to be great fun. They have been on similar holidays to 19 countries over five years. Travel to volunteer expanded Tracey’s circle of friends, gave her respect and dignity.
“To feel excited about life and have something to look forward to is something we all deserve.”
One of the best trips was when Tracey brought her mother to Nashville, staying in a top-class hotel, which they would not have been able to do normally. Recently the couple went to Panama which was more modern than they’d expected, and they crossed the Panama Canal. They’d chosen to stay at the Hilton in case the city was dangerous, but felt very safe.
“To feel excited about life and have something to look forward to is something we all deserve.”
Next they plan to visit Australia. Patrick added that they manage all this travel by making it their priority, and that people who initially told them it would be too difficult, now love to know where the two have been and where they are off to next.
“Show up, Speak up. You are not alone.”
Tracey McCann has written a full-length book describing her life and striving to overcome difficulties. This is called: Recommenced: Motivation > Limitation by Tracey Ellen Maria.
On release last April the biography went to Number One in the Amazon section for Living With Disabilities. I found the physical Createspace book well presented, and it should be fine even for those with reduced vision. I have recommended to Tracey that she bring the book out on Kindle for a wider readership.
“Show up, Speak up. You are not alone.”
These were the parting words on a montage of photos contrasting Tracey’s childhood with her travel photos from a wide variety of settings. The room was filled with heartfelt applause.
Find out more at:
www.traceyellenmaria.ie
Find her book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Recommenced-Motivation-Tracey-Ellen-Maria/dp/1547292822/
