CONTAGIOUS GUEST

SPEAKER: VAHEN KING

By: Dennis Harter, MS Principal & Kerry Dyke, MS Service Learning Coordinator, MS PE

ISB was treated to a visit from author, model, and motivational speaker, Vahen King.

Ms. King is “Founder of the Non-Profit Organization Going Farther. At age 23, one week after her engagement, Vahen developed Transverse Myelitis, a virus that left her physically disabled and dependent on the use of a wheelchair. Trying to adapt as a person with a disability, her “new normal” was feelings of self-doubt and exclusion. Reaching a point of desperation, Vahen realized that she had a choice to make, to be paralyzed by fears and insecurities, or push forward.”

In 2017, Ms. King was named the first ever Miss Wheelchair Canada and Miss Kindness World. She has been recognized with the 2021 women of inspiration “influencer” award.

Ms. King connected with ISB through MS PE teacher Kerry Dyke who had gone to high school with Ms. King in Canada. In recent years they had reconnected through social media. When Mr. Dyke learned that Ms. King was coming to Thailand, Mr. Dyke invited her to visit ISB and come speak with our MS and HS students.

Her focus with students was on resiliency and believing in themselves to overcome challenge, adversity, and set backs. Students connected with her message and felt inspired to meet and learn from someone who has overcome so much with positivity and resilience.

Vahen presented in the assembly to MS and HS students. She met with every grade 8 Social Studies classes, as well as with our parent community in the evening. Canadian Ambassador, Sarah Taylor, visited ISB to meet with Vahen and later they presented at the school for the deaf together. The Canadian Chamber of Commerence have already invited Vahen back as an inspirational speaker.