Page 10 - April 2015 Voices!

pelling Desire Moves One Toastmaster
to New Heights
Patrick Locke, DTM—Area 84 Governor
Karen “K” Locke has been an
incredible inspiration to
many of her fellow
Toastmasters over the past
four and a half years .
In 2003, Karen was
devastated by a debilitating
stroke. It took away her
ability to walk, write, and
speak. As a poet, this was
tantamount to death for
her. Her entire life was
truncated in only minutes.
Outside of scribbling on a
board with her left hand she was unable
to communicate in any meaningful way.
In October 2010, I introduced Karen to
Toastmasters. She began to work on her
speaking challenges. Within the
supportive environment of Early Words
Toastmasters Club, Karen began, little by
little, to regain the ability to articulate her 18th.
poetry as she had so many years before.
Progress seemed slow at first but she
persevered. She was always ready to
deliver a speech if someone didn’t show
up for their role.
Racial injustice and racism are at the core
of what drives Karen to continue striving
to improve her communication skills. This
compelling desire, has in the past four
years, moved her to complete two
Competent Communicator manuals with a
One of the keys to developing your communication skills is to practice Use every opportunity to stand
up and speak to further develop your skills. Take functionary opportunities serious. Those few moments
you have to explain a meeting function and articulate a report can be a very powerful learning tool if
8
third almost done, along
with an Advanced
Communicator Bronze and
Silver. She is very close to
completing her ACG
(Advanced Communicator
Gold) and the Competent
Leadership awards by the
end of this Toastmasters
year. She has received
special club awards as well;
The Earl Mershon
Inspirational award as well
as the 2014 club “Best
Speaker” Award.
Karen continues to challenge herself. She
joined Speakers with Spirit this year, and
competed in the International Speech
Contest where she shared her message of
racial equality. She won 1st place at both
the club and area levels, and placed
second at the Division G contest on April
I am very proud of Karen and the progress
she has made towards regaining her voice,
in the face of almost insurmountable
odds. She continues to be an inspiration
to me and everyone she encounters.
Patrick Locke, DTM rejoined Toastmasters in 2011
after a break for several years. He is a member of
Speakers with Spirit and Early Words Toastmasters.
He is currently serving at the Area 84 governor.