On the other side of pain, there's always an unexpected gift that arrives for each individual. Some take longer than others. Wonderful talk, thank you.
If there's one thing I become hyper aware of during the lock down was the neighbourhood children, you could hear how frustrated and pent up they were getting not having the outlet of school and being able to connect with one another. I felt terrible for them. Now to think of the kids that never get the opportunity to be apart of a classroom... I am very grateful for this woman and what she is doing and I hope that more funding gets put towards this. This seems like such a way forward.
thanks for sharing your observations, and, yeah, they get so lonely and feel forgotten. There's so much more we can do. We're grateful for your support.
Who knew a robot and a boy could have such a powerful story behind them? This presentation just goes to show that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places!
Such an amazing initiative, I can't imagine being a child and so ill you're hospitalized for weeks, potentially months only to come back and struggle with being behind in school.
As a mother whose child spent months in the childrens hospital with asthma I can't even explain how happy this made me. It's not just about missing school but the boredom they go through and how their minds can wander into very unhelpful territory when left alone for so long.
we hope your child is doing well now and that the asthma is under control. Your words "how their minds can wander into very unhelpful territory when left alone for so long" sums it up. Hoping to change this for good.
very painful to watch and feel, and how fortunate that we have been able to turn this pain into an opportunity to help Darcy but also many others. Thanks for your support.
It's incredible to think that a simple idea from a mother could potentially change the educational landscape for sick kids in Australia. This kind of innovation makes me hopeful for the future!
Man, it breaks my heart thinking about what these kids go through, fighting to survive while feeling cut off from their normal lives and friends. These robots sound like they could be a total game-changer for helping with that.
I can only imagine the joy that would radiate from those children's faces. You are doing such amazing work. I bet it's so tough sometimes but gosh you are doing amazing things. Thank you Megan!!
Colby - thanks for your kind words. All I could see was my boy being amazing. It's hard to describe what these kids face and how they show up in the most harrowing experience. It's why we do the work - they deserve an opportunity to reach their potential, after fighting for their lives. We owe it to them.
Great summary! I guess we're helping to add "helping" into the JD. Technology engagements always end up being policy engagements if we can make the technology stick. Keeps us on our toes. :)
I can't help but feel emotional after hearing this talk. Connecting sick kids to their schools using robots is a touching way to ensure they don't miss out on education and social interactions.
It's heart-wrenching to hear how Darcy had to suffer through such traumatic experiences, but it's equally heart-warming to see how his mother's love and dedication to keeping him connected to his school gave him the hope and motivation he needed to fight on. This story reminds us that sometimes, it's the smallest gestures that can make the biggest difference in someone's life.
The smallest gestures can be lifechanging. And, actually, it's pretty easy to put a robot in classroom and turn it on to open up a whole world to a child who is struggling. Thanks for your reflections.
Being able to connect with their classmates and teachers and feeling "normal" again has a huge ripple effect for children coming out of hospital, how wonderful to be able to provide it to them while they're still being treated.
Amaya - you're so right! We can keep them connected all the way through so they don't have to wait. It's easy to do and just makes sense. Thanks for your support.
My heart broke when she talked about the daily tears and struggles... I can't imagine how deep she had to dig to get past them and into space of solving the problem
I figure my tears and struggles are nothing compared to what I know the kids go through. But the positive work has definitely pulled me out of dark place time and time again. Thanks for your support.
It’s heartbreaking to hear about the challenges these families face, that it's not just overcoming the initial sickness but then all the fallout of what that sickness causes
Thanks, Miatta - it takes a village and we're so pleased to have you cheering us on. It's one mighty effort, that's for sure. Day by day we are reaching our goal.
It can make such a difference. We have students who are quadriplegic dialing in with eye gaze technology and moving the robot around the classroom. Thanks for watching.
This story about the healing power of connections is truly heartwarming. It sheds light on the struggles faced by sick children and the importance of keeping them connected to their schools and learning communities... The telepresence robots seem like a practical solution to bridging that gap.
Wow, I love how this speaker transformed a personal challenge into a nationwide initiative. The way she's leveraging technology to improve the lives of sick children is truly inspiring.
Man, it's rough that these kids have to fight so hard and deal with so much pain so young. If those robots help keep them even just a little bit connected that's a huge deal
How amazingly resilient of this women to not just dissolve into a mess of sadness over her kid being sick. To stand firm and say it's not about my sorrow, it's about helping my boy heal and get back to it.
the kids are simply amazing; their resilience is inspiring and they just want to be normal. Being present in their community gives them hope. Thanks for sharing!
I applaud you. You overcame such opposition, indifference and ignorance but reached your goal. Your son isn't left to the side anymore. He is so lucky to have a mom like you.
Thanks so much, Katrien. My son is a young man now and this is the way I give back for his life. There are so many more kids who now need the help. Our solution is set so this becomes business as usual.
That pulling away when it starts to get too hard, that's when we need our support and to feel included the most. I think we have all been feeling that for the past few years
Thank you for these encouraging words. Every day, we face challenges in supporting kids like Darcy, but everyday we are changing systems - one kid at a time. Gotta keep going until every kid who needs it is supported.
I went through something really similar in my early teens and the way she describes her sons mental health being affected by missing out on school is really spot on. I wish there had have been something like this when I was in school.
That must have been really hard. Thanks for sharing your personal journey, because it illustrates that the need for school connection has been happening for as long as kids have been missing school (it's not a new thing).
I have to admit, when the speaker started talking about her experience in social and economic development across 24 countries, I wasn't sure where she was going with it. But by the end of the presentation, I was blown away by how all the pieces of her life seemed to come together to form this incredible initiative. Talk about a powerful example of connecting the dots!
I never thought about the long-term effects of missing school on a child's social and emotional well-being. This talk brings some much needed attention to an important issue.
i really hope that you continue to get more funding and this becomes more and more accessible! what a fabulous thing to help children, to give any sick child some sort of normalcy and connection. what a beautiful talk and an inspiring woman!
Mark, the funding is always the challenge and this year we're working hard to keep providing this service. Every cent counts and we work to know that one day this will be business as usual. Thank you.
This is awesome, missing school when you're sick is hard enough in terms of the social aspect but the impact on their self-esteem is devastating when they have these huge gape in their knowledge - they know when they're not performing at the same level as their peers and it is heart-breaking to see the effects of that
Children being so sick that they're hospitalised for lengthy periods of time is already such a rough scenario but the added challenge of maintaining their education would feel like such an impossible pressure for the parents. It's so amazing that this woman has created something to alleviate some of that pressure.
Thanks, Steeve. You're right - it is a tough time for the kids and their whole family, including their siblings. The robots certainly help reduce the management burden. We appreciate your support.
As someone who struggles to keep up with schoolwork even on a good day, I can't even imagine how hard it must be for students like Darcy who are battling serious illnesses. Kudos to his mom for going above and beyond to keep him connected to his education!
It is really tough on the kids in terms of keeping up with school work and the isolation can rob them of a basic right to enjoyment. Telepresence can solve a whole host of challenges. Thanks for the shout out!
I can't imagine how tough it must have been for Darcy to miss out on school and feel disconnected from his friends. It's inspiring to see the efforts made to keep students like him connected.
Very tough for the kids, Clara. Even 12 years on from when Darcy was isolated, the majority of kids in this circumstance are still missing out. We know the technology is not the problem, it's the cultural change in schools that humans still need to navigate.
Wow, this presentation hit me hard. As someone who experienced the challenges of missing school due to illness, I understand the impact it can have on a student's well-being and education. These robots sound amazing, and I hope they become more accessible and widespread. Every sick kid deserves the opportunity to stay connected to their school life while going through something as traumatic as being hospitalized or bed-ridden.
Hey there, we're really moved by your comment and appreciate you sharing your experience. It's exactly stories like yours that inspire us to keep innovating with the telepresence robots. We totally agree with you - every child, no matter what health challenges they're facing, deserves the chance to stay connected with their school life. We're working hard to make these robots more accessible and common. We believe in a world where all children are seen and heard. Thanks again for your support and powerful words. We hope you'll keep following us on our journey!
Love that her vision for the future is robots in every school and a policy shift! Sets a bold aspirational goal for the future of education and I'm here for it!
Sylvia - thanks for your encouragement. Belonging, connection, meaning are so important and, as it turns out, easy to do. It's been great watching the kids embrace this. It's made my life better, too.
I love that her profession put her in a position to create the solution. It's a really wonderful example of bringing your experiences and specialties together to do something that has a huge impact.
Pulling at my heart strings. I went through something similar many years ago with my daughter. She had to go through some rehab after hurting herself in gymnastics. The moment she wasn't getting to see her friends regularly at school, her mood dropped. I bet Megan's child is very grateful for her ambitious nature.
Gee, it does pull at the heart strings! Thank you for sharing about your daughter. Playing and having fun with people we care about is simply human. Funny that robots are helping with human connection!
@coffeelover8467 - we appreciate your support for our work! Providing positive school connection and ongoing social support is part of a strategy to ease trauma. We try hard to make it better for the kids.
The lack of information and comprehensive research on seriously ill students missing school really speaks to just how significant that gap in understanding and support truly is.
thanks for your kind comments. In truth I can only do what I do because I have the support of so many: my team, my family, partners, supporters like you. We will keep on going until all kids have the opportunity.
This is a very clever solution for making sure sick kids still get real time learning. And placing them in the classroom instead of the other way around is genius.
The mind, body and spirit are all connected, getting these sick kids back into a place where they feel heard, included and get to play would be so important for their healing.
This story reminds me of the importance of resilience and the will to survive. Darcy's journey and the efforts made to keep him connected are truly inspiring.
@lizbeethgonzalezhernandez - We love this! The inspiration continues as we help more and more kids - they are amazing and just want to be well and normal, to play and learn.
I have been deeply moved hearing of her initial struggle turned into a mission to help others. Her story is proof that adversity can lead to remarkable outcomes.
The speaker's insight into the systemic issues surrounding school absences due to illness or injury is eye-opening. It's shocking to learn that there are so many children out there who are struggling to stay connected to their schools, and it's inspiring to see how the Missing Schools organization is working to address this issue.
My heart broke for Megan but also totally understand that fire that was lit in her belly once she saw her son starting to pull back. Nothing like that drive to help your littles thrive.
I love how she highlighted the healing power of connection for the kids and for the bigger picture too.
Her dedication to keeping sick kids connected to their education is truly inspiring.
Thank you, sincerely, for watching and cheering us on!
Three mums on a mission to find a solution. "Courage before confidence, leap not lag" - great words and that's how you get things done.
This is so true, never deny the power of women and mothers!
you know it!
it sure is, but the courage to leap is often the hardest to find. The reward is in what we witness with the kids every day. Keeps us being brave :)
On the other side of pain, there's always an unexpected gift that arrives for each individual. Some take longer than others. Wonderful talk, thank you.
And the real truth, well said Ruby!
👍
So true Ruby.
great woman.
@@liamnneely yes for sure.
If there's one thing I become hyper aware of during the lock down was the neighbourhood children, you could hear how frustrated and pent up they were getting not having the outlet of school and being able to connect with one another. I felt terrible for them. Now to think of the kids that never get the opportunity to be apart of a classroom... I am very grateful for this woman and what she is doing and I hope that more funding gets put towards this. This seems like such a way forward.
Very true!
thanks for sharing your observations, and, yeah, they get so lonely and feel forgotten. There's so much more we can do. We're grateful for your support.
Who knew a robot and a boy could have such a powerful story behind them? This presentation just goes to show that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places!
Thanks for the encouraging words @sammyllee! Now many robots and many girls and boys :)
2:06 - Saving a life is about more than saving a body. We are nothing without our spirit and drive to move forward. What an incredible Mum.
Beautifully put
Thank you so much for your support, Andre. Indeed, "we are nothing without our spirit and drive to move forward". So well said!
Amazing story through her child's illness and many children that didn't make it. How amazing is this woman and her son.
Absolutely incredible. Such an amazing Mother.
great mom for sure...
this is amazing!
Thats a mothers love for sure!
@@valeriegervais truth!
Her work with MissingSchool shows just how much potential there is to transform the educational experience for sick children ❤
So well said. Thanks for the shout out.
If there was ever a purpose, this woman is amazing.
thanks for your inspiring words; it's feedback like yours that helps us keep fighting for the kids.
I give a standing ovation to you, Megan.
I'm honoured, and thank you so much!
It's so incredible that this woman was able to find a way to help her son and so many other sick children.
Thanks for your support, Benjamin. We continue to work on this issue and hope it can help many.
Amazing to see how a community can come together to support its vulnerable members.
It's all about community; thanks for watching!
Such an amazing initiative, I can't imagine being a child and so ill you're hospitalized for weeks, potentially months only to come back and struggle with being behind in school.
Exactly! It's crazy that it's even happening today, with all the technology and advances we have.
The emotional toll of missing school is immense. This concept seems like a beacon of hope for students facing such challenges.
Thanks for the shout out. You said it so simply!
As a mother whose child spent months in the childrens hospital with asthma I can't even explain how happy this made me. It's not just about missing school but the boredom they go through and how their minds can wander into very unhelpful territory when left alone for so long.
we hope your child is doing well now and that the asthma is under control. Your words "how their minds can wander into very unhelpful territory when left alone for so long" sums it up. Hoping to change this for good.
How painful for a child when everything gets too painful too carry on, and a mother who found the reasons for him to want to carry on.
very painful to watch and feel, and how fortunate that we have been able to turn this pain into an opportunity to help Darcy but also many others. Thanks for your support.
It's incredible to think that a simple idea from a mother could potentially change the educational landscape for sick kids in Australia. This kind of innovation makes me hopeful for the future!
This commitment to making sure all sick kids have access to this technology is truly admirable. She's a real advocate for change.
Thanks for the encouragement, every bit helps us to keep going for the goal of ending school isolation for sick kids.
Truly a unique way to tackle the isolation sick children go through! Staying connected is so important.
Thanks for the shout out. Connection is the key!
Man, it breaks my heart thinking about what these kids go through, fighting to survive while feeling cut off from their normal lives and friends. These robots sound like they could be a total game-changer for helping with that.
They have been a game-changer. Hoping to get schools to adopt a range of their own technologies now to keep kids connected. Thanks for cheering!
Keeping sick kids connected to their classrooms, now this is the work of a soulful entrepeneur.
I reckon! Shes awesome!
Thank you. It's work that really matters; helping all kids to reach their potential and have a meaningful life.
Thanks, Sofia. We appreciate your support. The work is worth it and the reason we don't give up when the change isn't coming fast enough.
Oh wow, "the cruelest expression of low expectations." Her compassion and empathy is the best.
you are fast Hubert!
we are seeing amazing results for these kids; apparently they can rise to meet their potential!
I can only imagine the joy that would radiate from those children's faces. You are doing such amazing work. I bet it's so tough sometimes but gosh you are doing amazing things. Thank you Megan!!
Brilliant ted thanks for pushing to me!
Loved this!!
great mom!!!
what a wonderful story and such good work, bless her.
@@caro.7487 😍 🥰 😘
What she did to fill a need that no one even knew existed, except for those kids who needed it. This is amazing work.
it's support like yours that keeps us keeping on. Thanks so much.
Oh my heart...."he started to give up." What a woman, what a wonderful mum so tremendously switched on and what an amazing journey for her son.
Colby - thanks for your kind words. All I could see was my boy being amazing. It's hard to describe what these kids face and how they show up in the most harrowing experience. It's why we do the work - they deserve an opportunity to reach their potential, after fighting for their lives. We owe it to them.
Hospitals and treatments are scary and confronting for adults, I can't imagine her son's terror. He's a super hero in my eyes.
The kids are truly remarkable - super heroes for sure. One of the reasons we need to back them. Thanks for watching.
In a day and age when we are scared of AI and robotics, a talk that gives us hope that humanity can be applied to technology.
This is exactly how we utilize AI to work for us!
So very true. There is so much about all that can go wrong, it is uplifting to know that good is being done
yes! Robots extend and unlock human potential, not replace. Humanity + technology creating social good.
How interesting is it that a job description can hold an institution back from helping. I'm always perplexed, though not surprised by this.
Great summary! I guess we're helping to add "helping" into the JD. Technology engagements always end up being policy engagements if we can make the technology stick. Keeps us on our toes. :)
Watching a 2 year old talk, only to realize what it means for today. Love teds love the innovation. Well done Megan!! Where is this at now?
Thanks for messaging me this, it's brilliant.
@@natalidejesusgonzalez3703 😁😁😁😁
This would be perfect for what's going on right now with kids being stuck at home!
@@sukyevers exactly right now!
GOT I finally clicked your link, this could have been now and we could have been talking about our kids unable to go to school!!!
I can't help but feel emotional after hearing this talk. Connecting sick kids to their schools using robots is a touching way to ensure they don't miss out on education and social interactions.
We appreciate your support - it's this kind of comment that keeps us aiming higher for the kids. Thank you!
It's heart-wrenching to hear how Darcy had to suffer through such traumatic experiences, but it's equally heart-warming to see how his mother's love and dedication to keeping him connected to his school gave him the hope and motivation he needed to fight on. This story reminds us that sometimes, it's the smallest gestures that can make the biggest difference in someone's life.
The smallest gestures can be lifechanging. And, actually, it's pretty easy to put a robot in classroom and turn it on to open up a whole world to a child who is struggling. Thanks for your reflections.
What a beautiful woman with such an admirable dedication to helping her son and other sick children is truly remarkable.
You are so kind, thanks for the support - it helps us keep doing the work!
As a single Mother with a child that suffers from a chronic illness - I appreciate Megan's experience and capacity.
thank you for sharing your lived experience; I truly hope your child is doing okay. It's a big journey.
Being able to connect with their classmates and teachers and feeling "normal" again has a huge ripple effect for children coming out of hospital, how wonderful to be able to provide it to them while they're still being treated.
Amaya - you're so right! We can keep them connected all the way through so they don't have to wait. It's easy to do and just makes sense. Thanks for your support.
I love how she starts this tedtalk. Especially now that we are beginning to realise how important human connection is
We are indeed hardwired for connection. Thanks for your words of support.
This is so important, it's not just about education it's literally about saving lives.
Saving hearts and minds, not just bodies. Staying connected with a life other than illness - yes, saving lives. Thanks for caring.
My heart broke when she talked about the daily tears and struggles... I can't imagine how deep she had to dig to get past them and into space of solving the problem
I figure my tears and struggles are nothing compared to what I know the kids go through. But the positive work has definitely pulled me out of dark place time and time again. Thanks for your support.
It’s heartbreaking to hear about the challenges these families face, that it's not just overcoming the initial sickness but then all the fallout of what that sickness causes
That's so well said. We're getting closer to having major changes in Australia. Thanks for your support.
Her passion is contagious. It's amazing to see how a small volunteer organization can create such a positive impact.
Thank you @yannicarliso. It words like these that spur us on!
Congratulation Megan on having 30 robots connecting sick kids to their classrooms and school communities. The world needs more people like you.
Hey Never Last - we're heading into the hundreds since the talk. Thanks for cheering us on, it keeps us going with the good work
Another powerful resourceful woman fighting for her child. Well done Megan you're a powerful example for us all.
Thanks, Miatta - it takes a village and we're so pleased to have you cheering us on. It's one mighty effort, that's for sure. Day by day we are reaching our goal.
What an amazing step for inclusive learning. This could make such a difference, not just for sick kids but for those with life-long disabilities.
It can make such a difference. We have students who are quadriplegic dialing in with eye gaze technology and moving the robot around the classroom. Thanks for watching.
This story about the healing power of connections is truly heartwarming. It sheds light on the struggles faced by sick children and the importance of keeping them connected to their schools and learning communities... The telepresence robots seem like a practical solution to bridging that gap.
Avery, we appreciate the way you've summed this up. And, indeed, it truly is a practical solution.
Wow, I love how this speaker transformed a personal challenge into a nationwide initiative. The way she's leveraging technology to improve the lives of sick children is truly inspiring.
Thank you for the shout out. We'll keep leveraging :)
We can do so much and create real change we we need to, congratulations Megan this is wonderful.
Agreed!
I agree; we don't realise what we're capable of until we're push. Thanks for your support!
Man, it's rough that these kids have to fight so hard and deal with so much pain so young. If those robots help keep them even just a little bit connected that's a huge deal
And now we're helping schools use their own technologies, which is super. Thanks for watching.
How amazingly resilient of this women to not just dissolve into a mess of sadness over her kid being sick. To stand firm and say it's not about my sorrow, it's about helping my boy heal and get back to it.
Thanks Gabriel, it was about my boy and also all the kids like him. If we do it for one we can do it for many. Thanks for your support!
This is the sort of innovation I live for
Thanks for sharing Mo, we will have to speak to Kayden about this on Friday.
the kids are simply amazing; their resilience is inspiring and they just want to be normal. Being present in their community gives them hope. Thanks for sharing!
This is the real example of a mothers love, brilliant!
yes it is! Thanks for your encouragement, it means a lot.
I applaud you. You overcame such opposition, indifference and ignorance but reached your goal. Your son isn't left to the side anymore. He is so lucky to have a mom like you.
He sure is, wonderful woman...
Thanks so much, Katrien. My son is a young man now and this is the way I give back for his life. There are so many more kids who now need the help. Our solution is set so this becomes business as usual.
This is the most amazing example of taking control over an awful situation and creating positives from it
@tinycockcroft4627 thanks for this observation. Turning the terrible situation into a positive has been lifesaving for me
That pulling away when it starts to get too hard, that's when we need our support and to feel included the most. I think we have all been feeling that for the past few years
Yes, isolation really hurts and the only cure is connection. This has certainly become a universal lesson since I gave this talk.
This definitely speaks to the power of a mothers love. She truly went above and beyond to make a difference for her son.
Yes, driven by love! Thanks for your kind words! :)
Her passion for this cause is palpable. Her unwavering dedication is a shining example of how one person can make a significant change
Your kind of support is what keeps us going and doing this critical work for kids. Thank you!
the love a mother can move mountains, clearly.
And this one has definitely felt like moving a mountain. Still, it can be done. Thanks for the shout out!
I feel you and your child's pain as well as your firmness of conviction, thanks for your story.
thank you; it's a love story that goes on. We value your support.
This woman is incredible. Way to be a creative problem solver and an amazing mother all in one.
Thanks for cheering - we love your support!
I can't believe this is the first I've ever heard of such an initiative, this is really brilliant.
It is! Apart from anything else it's lots of fun.
Megan is an incredibly strong and purposeful woman, who has proved that there is nothing impossible if only one has enough courage and determination.
Thank you for these encouraging words. Every day, we face challenges in supporting kids like Darcy, but everyday we are changing systems - one kid at a time. Gotta keep going until every kid who needs it is supported.
I went through something really similar in my early teens and the way she describes her sons mental health being affected by missing out on school is really spot on. I wish there had have been something like this when I was in school.
That must have been really hard. Thanks for sharing your personal journey, because it illustrates that the need for school connection has been happening for as long as kids have been missing school (it's not a new thing).
I have to admit, when the speaker started talking about her experience in social and economic development across 24 countries, I wasn't sure where she was going with it. But by the end of the presentation, I was blown away by how all the pieces of her life seemed to come together to form this incredible initiative. Talk about a powerful example of connecting the dots!
I love the way you put this ... "connecting the dots" - that is what it is! Thanks for the shout out
It must be such a wholesome moment when a kid reconnects with their class using one of those robots.
It's so wholesome - it's a joy bringer. Thanks for your support.
I never thought about the long-term effects of missing school on a child's social and emotional well-being. This talk brings some much needed attention to an important issue.
Thanks for watching! The more people who now about the issue, the better.
This is nothing short of brilliant. It's heartwarming to see such innovation in helping sick children ❤
Now that school absenteeism is rising worldwide, we can see so many possibilities for this tech. Thanks for your support.
i really hope that you continue to get more funding and this becomes more and more accessible! what a fabulous thing to help children, to give any sick child some sort of normalcy and connection. what a beautiful talk and an inspiring woman!
We need this in the USA!
@@judeblyth3606 the world you mean!
this is such smart innovation, and done in Australia, I am seeing a lot of good things come out of that country these days.
What a good mum.
Mark, the funding is always the challenge and this year we're working hard to keep providing this service. Every cent counts and we work to know that one day this will be business as usual. Thank you.
“Saving a life is about more than saving a body”. More people need to know this.
True!
I agree, Corky. That's what we're working on!
I can't imagine what a relief it must be to have this as an option for those kids.
Such a relief, and also a lot of fun. Part of our work is to turn frowns upside down
The failing of a system so well described. Policy and procedures make us numb toward the work we do and caring isn't one of them.
so many failing systems
so true! We trigger caring so the policies and procedures follow. It's great to get your insights, thank you.
This is awesome, missing school when you're sick is hard enough in terms of the social aspect but the impact on their self-esteem is devastating when they have these huge gape in their knowledge - they know when they're not performing at the same level as their peers and it is heart-breaking to see the effects of that
Thanks for your brilliant summary and for watching. We appreciate your support; it makes a difference!
Children being so sick that they're hospitalised for lengthy periods of time is already such a rough scenario but the added challenge of maintaining their education would feel like such an impossible pressure for the parents. It's so amazing that this woman has created something to alleviate some of that pressure.
Thanks, Steeve. You're right - it is a tough time for the kids and their whole family, including their siblings. The robots certainly help reduce the management burden. We appreciate your support.
As someone who struggles to keep up with schoolwork even on a good day, I can't even imagine how hard it must be for students like Darcy who are battling serious illnesses. Kudos to his mom for going above and beyond to keep him connected to his education!
It is really tough on the kids in terms of keeping up with school work and the isolation can rob them of a basic right to enjoyment. Telepresence can solve a whole host of challenges. Thanks for the shout out!
I can't imagine how tough it must have been for Darcy to miss out on school and feel disconnected from his friends. It's inspiring to see the efforts made to keep students like him connected.
Very tough for the kids, Clara. Even 12 years on from when Darcy was isolated, the majority of kids in this circumstance are still missing out. We know the technology is not the problem, it's the cultural change in schools that humans still need to navigate.
Wow, this presentation hit me hard. As someone who experienced the challenges of missing school due to illness, I understand the impact it can have on a student's well-being and education. These robots sound amazing, and I hope they become more accessible and widespread. Every sick kid deserves the opportunity to stay connected to their school life while going through something as traumatic as being hospitalized or bed-ridden.
Hey there, we're really moved by your comment and appreciate you sharing your experience. It's exactly stories like yours that inspire us to keep innovating with the telepresence robots. We totally agree with you - every child, no matter what health challenges they're facing, deserves the chance to stay connected with their school life. We're working hard to make these robots more accessible and common. We believe in a world where all children are seen and heard. Thanks again for your support and powerful words. We hope you'll keep following us on our journey!
This is so important, like she says we are hard-wired to connect and not having that as a child would be so damaging.
Thanks for your support, Jules. We're trying to turn the damage around, and will keep going.
That burden of illness is something kids should never have to bear. Breaks my heart.
We agree wholeheartedly! We're so happy we can provide some hope in very tough times, Ehsaan.
I'm impressed by the ripple effect of this work, touching so many lives. It's a great example of how one person's determination can make a big impact.
Hopefully, the effects continuing to ripple out to all the kids who need this kind of support. There are so many out there. Thanks for watching!
Love that her vision for the future is robots in every school and a policy shift! Sets a bold aspirational goal for the future of education and I'm here for it!
I think her dedication to keeping kids connected in such a difficult time is so beautiful ❤
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!
Getting the Prime Minister's attention is a significant milestone! Hopefully it indicates a potential shift in government awareness and support.
We're getting there. School absence is now the biggest global issue facing schools in developed countries. The time has come. Thanks for watching.
The sense of normalcy that Megan did her best to provide for Darcy is a beautiful example of a Mother's love.
yes so right
Sylvia - thanks for your encouragement. Belonging, connection, meaning are so important and, as it turns out, easy to do. It's been great watching the kids embrace this. It's made my life better, too.
I love that her profession put her in a position to create the solution. It's a really wonderful example of bringing your experiences and specialties together to do something that has a huge impact.
Thanks for watching and for your reflections - this is exactly how it feels
Pulling at my heart strings. I went through something similar many years ago with my daughter. She had to go through some rehab after hurting herself in gymnastics. The moment she wasn't getting to see her friends regularly at school, her mood dropped. I bet Megan's child is very grateful for her ambitious nature.
Gee, it does pull at the heart strings! Thank you for sharing about your daughter. Playing and having fun with people we care about is simply human. Funny that robots are helping with human connection!
Thank you Megan for raising the issue of the trauma watching other children suffer causes to our children.
@coffeelover8467 - we appreciate your support for our work! Providing positive school connection and ongoing social support is part of a strategy to ease trauma. We try hard to make it better for the kids.
I love this, this is the purity of a woman protecting her children.
Thank you for understanding - this is how it is :)
"Cast your gifts in to the pond of the problem" Thanks Megan for your insight.
Elias, thank you for your support. We're going for the ripple effect!
The lack of information and comprehensive research on seriously ill students missing school really speaks to just how significant that gap in understanding and support truly is.
And it's still the same today - can you believe it! But we are getting momentum on this front in close consultation with government.
Oh my goodness! The power of one! Megan, you are a powerhouse, all that you have achieved and changed for so many children! Thank you!
Incredible work, she has a lot of love in her heart and a fire in her belly. Appreciate what she's doing so very much
thanks for your kind comments. In truth I can only do what I do because I have the support of so many: my team, my family, partners, supporters like you. We will keep on going until all kids have the opportunity.
This is a very clever solution for making sure sick kids still get real time learning. And placing them in the classroom instead of the other way around is genius.
It works well for all the kids in the classroom, when their absent friend/peer returns via the robot. Thanks for the support.
The mind, body and spirit are all connected, getting these sick kids back into a place where they feel heard, included and get to play would be so important for their healing.
yes, absolutely! Our new platform is called "seen and heard", and that includes opportunities to play. A life worth living. Thanks for your support.
This story reminds me of the importance of resilience and the will to survive. Darcy's journey and the efforts made to keep him connected are truly inspiring.
@lizbeethgonzalezhernandez - We love this! The inspiration continues as we help more and more kids - they are amazing and just want to be well and normal, to play and learn.
The focus on both emotional and educational support is what sets this initiative apart.
For sure - we're trying to hit all the wellbeing keynotes with this one. Thanks for watching!
@@megangilmour4751 and you have, well done
The hurdles she would have had to conquer to get where she is - I know many children would be beyond grateful for this accessibility.
LaKyle, thank you for your kinds words. We the love the challenger spirit and will keep conquering :)
Holding the education department accountable. Thank you.
Yes, Cyrus. Education for all is what they say, so it's a good reminder for this forgotten cohort. Thanks for your support.
I have been deeply moved hearing of her initial struggle turned into a mission to help others. Her story is proof that adversity can lead to remarkable outcomes.
So true! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
This whole talk really shows that sometimes the most impactful solutions come from personal experiences and a deep desire to help others.
They certainly do - thanks for sharing this perspective; it resonates
The speaker's insight into the systemic issues surrounding school absences due to illness or injury is eye-opening. It's shocking to learn that there are so many children out there who are struggling to stay connected to their schools, and it's inspiring to see how the Missing Schools organization is working to address this issue.
Olga, thank you for the acknowledgement and support, it means a lot to us. Working for these kids is so rewarding.
My heart broke for Megan but also totally understand that fire that was lit in her belly once she saw her son starting to pull back. Nothing like that drive to help your littles thrive.
thank you for your empathy. My heart broke wide open, and I've since been mending it by helping one kid at a time.
Mothers will do whatever it takes for their children and kudos to this mother's insistence of a better way for her child.
Thanks for your support through this comment. It's so encouraging!!
I believe the connection between technology and healing, as shown by Megan, is truly inspiring. It's a beautiful fusion of compassion and innovation.
"It's a beautiful fusion of compassion and innovation" - what a beautiful way to put it. Thanks so much!