Written by Nabil Ould-Brahim:
So I’ve been kinda low key on this up until NOW.
Michelle Weger has always wanted to become a speaker and an advocate. If you know her, you’re likely saying well yeah.. of course. But…. it’s not that simple, there are a couple of things that make becoming a speaker a challenge for her. The main item is specifically her cataplexy (from her narcolepsy). It causes her to drops microphones and well… her body (comes in handy when she’s trying to convince me my jokes aren’t funny but her body is a screaming pinocchio nose).
For the longest time Michelle didn’t think she could be an effective speaker with a service dog and service dogs can’t go on stages… until we attended the Arch Angel Summit where Haben Girma spoke a few years ago with her service dog on stage. That helped Michelle realize that you can be a speaker with a service dog on stage with you.
Now onto my other four legged girl, we have worked so hard in the last two years to train Quinn to help Michelle on stage, just like Max. You could say Quinn is Max’s legacy (well, we do anyway)
This past Friday was THE ultimate test day.. for both of them.
My talented wife was requested to be a keynote speaker for Keap (software company) in Clearwater Florida… Yeah big deal much.
Michelle’s talk was about overcoming fear to reach success.
What she may not have mentioned publicly is that she, herself, was afraid to do her keynote, what if she dropped the mic, what if she forgot her words, what if she got cataplexy and collapsed, what if… what if.. what if.
I’m guessing you’re thinking like me right now and wondering… well how did it go.
It was a huge success. Michelle’s keynote was amazing. Well timed, well delivered, impactful, and valuable. And Quinn.. well she got that paquestone’s genetic need to show her full belly to sky.. on stage (see TikTok @adaneonaplane for this genetic perfection). The best part is that it didn’t prevent her from doing her service when Michelle started to collapse on the floor. Quinn guided her gently down and was the most calm and reserved she’s ever been to date.
This is a BIG deal on both fronts, training for Quinn AND overcoming fear for Michelle! It all came together and it was a MASSIVE success.
I am proud is an understatement… I find it challenging to come up with the right words to express how proud I am of both Quinn and Michelle. They make for the dream speaking duo.
I’m excited to see where this dream team goes. (Selfishly, I’m looking forward to nice destinations to soak up the sun and views 
, but shhh don’t tell her that)
