“Be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful’
– Jake Bailey
The video attached at the end of this post is amazing – this young man, Jake Bailey, is beyond remarkable. Perhaps it affected me as much as it did because I have two sons about Jake’s age. But I think this will impact everyone who watches it. How can it not?
Jake Baliey was due to graduate and give a speech at graduation. One week before his graduation, 18-year-old Jake Bailey was told he had cancer. He was diagnosed with one of the world’s fastest growing tumours – Burkitt lymphoma.
He had written his speech before his diagnosis and managed to leave his hospital bed to deliver it from a wheelchair. Words made more poignant than he ever could have perceived when he wrote them:
“My challenge to each of you, and to myself, is to continue to grow and to develop for the better . . . Forget about long-term dreams, let’s be passionately dedicated to our short term goals, micro-ambitious. Work with passion and pride on what is in front of us. We don’t know where we might end up . . .”
For those of you not from New Zealand, may not understand the end of this video – it ends in a spontaneous Haka – an incredible sign of respect. Kia Kaha Jake. Thank you for your inspiration.
Thank you for taking the time to watch this and read this post. I appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing this. What an incredibly inspiring young man. The Haka made me weep.
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I know – me too! So emotional.
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So beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
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I agree. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you for sharing this. I’m sharing it….
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Thank you so much Abbie!
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