Youth Motivational Speaker David Flood: 'Look on the Inside'
In a handful of ways, Justin Flood is just like any other high-school kid.
He loves anime and the WWE. He plays ice hockey and practices taekwondo. He enjoys exploring haunted houses and watching scary movies.
But the similarities stop soon after that.
Justin, you see, has autism.
He struggles in social situations and doesn’t quite know how he fits in — or what he’s going to do with his life upon graduation.
He’s lonely. He lacks a filter.
Justin, though, will forever be his father’s hero.
David Flood, a youth motivational speaker who has visited with more than 150,000 students, shares his son’s story with audiences across the country as he inspires them to value human dignity, understanding, patience, forgiveness, and love.
“I didn’t come here to talk you about autism,” he said. “I don’t want you to feel sorry for me or for Justin.
“But if you can connect with the place in yourself where you can realize when you know someone near you is lonely and needs to be reached out to — that’s the message. That’s what’s important.”
Flood encouraged his audience of Middle School students to conquer three challenges as they thought about their formative years — and their immediate and long-term futures.
“I challenge you to stop looking at people on the outside and start looking at people on the inside,” he said.
“I want you to look two adults in the eye and thank them for keeping all the kids safe at Brunswick.
“And lastly, no one eats alone. Reach out to someone who you know is down.
“Your life is not about you. It’s about all the people around you — all the people you love, and all the people you can touch. It’s about being selfless — not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
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