Welcome to an Unusual… Graduation Celebration and Presentation! — By Bill Miller —...

Welcome to an Unusual…Welcome to an Unusual…

Graduation Celebration Graduation Celebration and Presentation!and Presentation!

—— By Bill Miller By Bill Miller —— (Gratefully* Assisted by Many)(Gratefully* Assisted by Many)

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• 20 PowerPoint slides20 PowerPoint slides– Quick recap of 11 years with paralysisQuick recap of 11 years with paralysis

– Some emphasis on my educational journeySome emphasis on my educational journey

– What’s next for Bill Miller? (Surprise:) What’s next for Bill Miller? (Surprise:)

• Q&AQ&A

A Story about a Man Named BillA Story about a Man Named Bill

• Bill Miller, current age 31

• August 23rd, 1997; The University of Florida

• C1-2 quadriplegic on a ventilator C1-2 quadriplegic on a ventilator

• Injury level similar to the late Christopher ReeveInjury level similar to the late Christopher Reeve

I went I went from this^ ...from this^ ...

……to this.to this.

But I’m feeling MUCH better now! :-)But I’m feeling MUCH better now! :-)

Not Problems... Challenges!Not Problems... Challenges!

• Can’t talk?

• Never eat again?

• Can’t breathe at all on my own?

A problem becomes a challenge A problem becomes a challenge when you accept the challenge when you accept the challenge that the problem presents.that the problem presents.

I NEEDED to eat!!!I NEEDED to eat!!!

Choose to focus on the positive!Choose to focus on the positive!

• What you can do, not what you can’t• Movie reviews (voice-operated computer)• Speaking engagements• Back in school via UF’s Online BSBAUF’s Online BSBA• Wheelchair Bowling (The IKAN Bowler®)

Try to not let YOUR disability dictate Try to not let YOUR disability dictate what YOU CAN DO! what YOU CAN DO!

After one year “In Review”After one year “In Review”

Power Wheelchair Bowling!Power Wheelchair Bowling!

• The IKAN (“I can”) Bowler®The IKAN (“I can”) Bowler®

• Co-invented by Claude Giguere & Bill MillerCo-invented by Claude Giguere & Bill Miller

• www.ikanbowler.comwww.ikanbowler.com

Without further ado...Without further ado...

(Click Blurry Image to Play)

It normally has music, but I narrate during presentations.

Resuming My Education…Resuming My Education…

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”

– Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

My Educational Journey…My Educational Journey…

• How did I study?– Streaming video– Accommodated texts (see next slide)

• Appropriate accommodations?– Notetaker– In home proctors– Double time on exams?

• Examples of two group projects

Hosted by: Mr. 2-Bits!

Gator Slam Plus!Gator Slam Plus!The Florida Feat That May Never Be MatchedThe Florida Feat That May Never Be Matched--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2006 – NCAA Men’s Basketball

National Champions

2006 – Football BCS National Champions

The Plus…

2007 – NCAA Men’s Basketball

National Champions

My Educational Journey…My Educational Journey…

• 1997 Math major at UF (Senior)– August 23, 1997: injured

• UF’s Online BSBA Program• St. Petersburg College: eCampus

– August 23, 2004: 7th anniversary

• 2005 Business major at UF (Junior)– Principles of Marketing (Top Honor)

• 2008 Graduating with Honors– August 9, 2008 TOMORROW!

What is next for Bill Miller?What is next for Bill Miller?

• August 26, 2008 Elect Jim Miller!

– www.ElectJimMiller.comwww.ElectJimMiller.com

• Continue Empowering Wheelchair UsersContinue Empowering Wheelchair Users

• NaturallySpeaking & KnowBrainerNaturallySpeaking & KnowBrainer

• Cubs shock the world!Cubs shock the world!

• MBA SchoolMBA School

• But First… I will write (surprise)…But First… I will write (surprise)…

““Life Is Good—Be Happy!” Life Is Good—Be Happy!”

The semi-autobiography of Bill Miller, a The semi-autobiography of Bill Miller, a 31-year-old man who has lived the last 31-year-old man who has lived the last 11 years paralyzed from the neck down 11 years paralyzed from the neck down as a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. as a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Bill shares his story, which includes Bill shares his story, which includes challenges, triumphs, and a steadfast challenges, triumphs, and a steadfast spirit to have and live a productive, spirit to have and live a productive, HAPPY life—and how you can, too!HAPPY life—and how you can, too!