What is PechaKucha 20×20?
The PechaKucha 20×20 presentation format is a slide show of 20 images, each auto-advancing after 20 seconds. It’s non-stop and you’ve got 400 seconds to tell your story, with visuals guiding the way. PechaKucha was created in Japan in 2003 by renowned architects, Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. The word “PechaKucha” is Japanese for “chit chat.”
Preparing for my PechaKucha presentation.
Personally, I have done many previous speaking engagements and I am a relatively confident speaker. I did complete my Confident Communicator through Toastmasters International. I have also done presentation training through MissingLink. With all these skills combined and have been to watch a couple of the PechaKucha presentations this was something that spoke to me quite clearly. I have always dreamed of participating in Tedx. To me, this presentation was a step in that direction, as well as a step in proving that I am still a speaker and that I have the ability to reach an audience.
The title of my presentation.
My presentation was entitled “Living in the Unknown” because it encapsulates a lot of the questions my life has included. Being diagnosed with a rare condition often leaves you with a lot more questions than answers. One of the main reasons I started my journey as a motivational speaker was due to the unknown. The only way we can reduce the unknown is by creating awareness. The way that I want to create awareness is by being a part of the change. I aim to share my story as a source of hope!
On the night.
I was extremely nervous and it’s always quite funny because I say I can speak in front of 100 strangers, but as soon as I need to speak to people that I know and love, it’s somehow a little bit harder. This time. It was really nice to have supportive faces in the audience and to hear how much they enjoyed it. I experienced a proper fan girl moment getting the opportunity to speak at The Tryst as I am a massive Mark Sham fan, The Tryst is his baby. I have been a fan of him since I got to attend the Suits and Sneakers event in 2017. Getting the opportunity to share my story at a venue like this was an honour.
I had to use my ramps to get up onto the stage and I was immediately embarrassed that I was going to look different to everybody else, but then realised that’s what my speech was about, and this is the story that I was needing to share. So, there was no reason to be embarrassed. It was about creating awareness one more time. I’d like to thank Corne for making me feel so welcome and for being willing to make an accessible arrangement with me. I did use my ramps to get onto the stage but I really respect the fact that you asked for details on the ramps in order to make future changes. This is the goal of #championingchange and we love to see how we are creating knowledge.
The response to my PechaKucha presentation.
“I sat in the front row with tears streaming down my cheeks while Kerry owned the stage as the opening speaker. I did not wipe the tears away I was so immersed in every single word she spoke. About life. About living. A testament to courage, to living with meaning, to treasuring our ability to walk and speak with ease. Of all, we take for granted… I watched in awe. I hung on to every word.” – Alison Weihe from PSASA
