Dear
Shaun,
You
came to speak at my school a while ago now and I have been meaning to thank you
ever since.
People
come into schools and speak about drugs, sex and danger on a regular basis, yet
the most these presentations amount to are jokes dotted throughout the week
about how people do all of the above anyway before the talk is completely
forgotten. Your account of your time in prison was the first that I'd seen to
really and truly touch every person in that room. You didn't tell us to never
look at drugs, to report anyone who had the slightest knowledge of narcotics or
to stick to every guideline we've ever been given. As a teenager I can well and
truly say that this wouldn't have and continues not to have any effect
whatsoever on the well-being or common sense of my classmates.
The
way you delivered your speech inspired me. The facts were clear but the humour
was prominent, keeping us all on the edge of our seats. You taught me that
after a high there often comes a low, and however hard and rock-bottom that low
may feel, determination and perseverance can always amend things in the end. I
learnt about the hardships in jail, and what happens if you come head-to-head
with the law; but on top of that there are so many more things that will always
stay with me from your talk: The importance of family, the dissolution of
dreams that may well result in something better, and yes, how to get my
priorities straight. I'm sure you receive countless emails daily remarking on
what an awe-inspiring man you are and what a change you make - but I felt that
it would only be fair to give back even the tiniest bit of what you have given
to me in a talk over a year ago.
Thank
you so much,
Keep
inspiring,
Grace
Beverley, Francis Holland School, London
My
response:
Grace,
That's one of the nicest emails I've ever received. I'm sat here eating cheese on toast with a BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. Thanks so much for taking the time to express yourself so eloquently!
That's one of the nicest emails I've ever received. I'm sat here eating cheese on toast with a BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. Thanks so much for taking the time to express yourself so eloquently!
Appreciatively
yours,
Shaun Attwood
Shaun Attwood
4 comments:
How sweet!
Isabel
:) Gotta love it man
Keith
An email like that AND cheese on toast would surely be heaven :)
ps---you should get in touch with Scorcese (one of my favourite film directors) and put to him an idea for a film about your experiences!
thanks Muz,
i'm told Scorcese watches every episode of locked-up abroad, but i have no idea how to approach someone like that
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