It was a packed house and nothing but an active and engaged audience Wednesday night as former NHL All-Star and Olympic champion Theo Fleury poured his heart out at the Centre in Dryden.
The former Calgary Flames star provided his motivational talk “The Power of Me Too” and he talked about overcoming his tumultuous experience of sexual abuse, emotional abuse and self-destructive behaviour.
Fleury says the more vulnerable he can be, it allows other people to feel safe.
He says after a speaking engagement, he can always see an individual in need, as they reveal to him for the first time those two simple words of “Me Too”.
Fleury says he tours communities across Canada because that’s what’s needed, communities coming together as one to help in the healing process.
He says he especially loves coming to northwestern Ontario to deliver his message.
That’s because Fleury says resources are limited and there’s not a lot of places people can go to for help and psychologists are few and far between.
He says his ultimate goal with these speaking engagements is to give a message of hope to those who are struggling or suffering.
The event was hosted by the Kenora District Services Board and Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says it was meant as fundraiser for youth improvement initiatives in the community.
Wall says our young people need to see hope and if you are suffering it doesn’t have to be that way, stressing life is tough but not impossible.
Wall says Fleury’s message was one of empowering positive change and anyone can overcome life’s obstacles.
He hopes the evening starts the dialogue of the need for more help and support for our youth.
Fleury also spoke to staff at the Services Board and he offered support to front-line workers who deal with tough situations on a daily basis.
To hear Fleury’s message as well as KDSB CAO Henry Wall, visit the Audio link below.
