Fletcher Cleaves is a Memphis native whose story is full of resilience, hope and inspiration. Following a life-altering event, he discovered a passion for public speaking and began to promote the importance of safe driving and overcoming adversity through special appearances including: College Game Day, ESPN TV, ESPN radio, SportsCenter, Outside the Lines with Bob Ley, and a National Safety Transportation Board (NSTB) event in Washington D.C., as well as at many schools, colleges, sports teams, community organizations, and businesses.

Fletcher's journey began in the fall of 2009. During this time, he was a lively freshman enjoying his first semester of college on a football scholarship at Lambuth University when, suddenly, everything changed. On September 10, 2009, he was involved in a tragic car accident caused by a distracted driver, who was suspected to have been texting while driving. This event left Fletcher paralyzed from the chest down, and he was challenged with the task of starting his life over. Now, a quadriplegic, he had to relearn everything in order to adjust to his new circumstances.

Following the accident, Fletcher and his family endured a number of obstacles, including both of his parents losing their jobs in order to become his full-time caretakers. However, through all of the setbacks, Fletcher was determined to prevail. After a year of intense rehabilitation, he decided to re-enroll in school at the University of Memphis. There he attained a degree in Computer Science and joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as well. Fletcher's recovery helped him recognize that sharing his journey could not only motivate others, but also save lives.

Adversity is something we all will be faced with in life sooner or later. Whether it’s family, school, work, or personal, crappy stuff happens to everyone. However, it’s not what happens to you that defines you, it’s how you respond to it! Adversity does not say, "I will be back later". There is no perfect time, but understand it’s up to you to make time to start living your life today! The Sky is NOT the Limit. There are no limits.

Learning objectives:
1. Define and Recognize Adversity: Students will be able to define adversity and recognize its various forms and common sources in personal, academic, and professional life.
2. Understand Resilience: Learners will understand the concept of resilience, including its components and importance in overcoming adversity.
3. Identify Personal Adversities and Strengths: Students will reflect on and identify their own adversities and assess their current coping strategies, understanding their unique strengths and areas for growth.
4. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Participants will learn about the growth mindset and how adopting it can transform challenges into opportunities for personal and academic growth.
5. Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Students will gain strategies for proactive problem-solving and decision-making to effectively address and overcome adversities.
6. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Learners will understand the role of emotional intelligence in managing emotional responses to adversity and in fostering resilience.
7. Set Realistic Goals and Take Action: Students will learn how to set achievable goals and the importance of taking consistent action towards overcoming obstacles and reaching their aspirations.
8. Access and Utilize Support Systems: Participants will identify and learn how to access various support systems, including peers, mentors, and professional services, understanding the importance of seeking help when needed.
9. Inspire Through Stories of Resilience: Through stories and case studies, students will be inspired by others who have overcome adversity, understanding that resilience can be developed and success is possible despite challenges.
10. Commit to a Resilient Lifestyle: Students will be encouraged to commit to behaviors and thought patterns that promote a resilient lifestyle, including continuous learning, self-care, and maintaining a positive outlook.

How big would you dream if you knew you couldn’t fail? When I was faced with the most difficult obstacle of my life, I had to focus on what's important, NOT what's easy to obtain my dreams. Focus is not picking out one dot and staring at it. Focus is having 1 million dots and knowing which ones to stare at. Life can throw 1 million distractions at you at one time. Learn to focus on what’s important in this phase of your life to prepare yourself for the future.

Learning objectives:
1. Understanding the Power of Vision: Students will learn how envisioning success without the fear of failure can expand their dreams and set higher goals.
2. Identifying Core Goals: Participants will learn strategies for identifying and prioritizing their most important personal and professional goals.
3. Overcoming Obstacles: Students will gain insights into navigating challenges and obstacles effectively, drawing from real-life examples and resilience strategies.
4. Focusing Strategies: Participants will learn techniques to enhance focus amidst distractions and maintain direction towards their core objectives.
5. Decision Making: Students will understand how to make choices that align with their goals and vision, emphasizing the importance of short-term sacrifices for long-term gains.
6. Time Management and Prioritization: Participants will learn how to efficiently manage their time by prioritizing tasks that align closely with their main objectives.
7. Preparing for the Future: Students will be encouraged to think long-term and understand how current choices and focuses shape their future selves and opportunities.
8. Motivation and Persistence: Participants will be inspired to maintain motivation and persistence, learning techniques to rejuvenate their drive towards their goals when faced with fatigue or failure.

Driving is the most dangerous thing you will do on a daily basis. Eliminate distractions! Distracted driving injuries and fatalities are increasing as technology expands. Eliminate distracted driving by paying attention to the road and your surroundings. Distracted driving crowd activity is included.

Learning objectives:
1. Understand the Risks: Participants will learn about the statistics and real-world consequences of distracted driving, including the increasing number of injuries and fatalities.
2. Identify Distractions: Attendees will be able to identify the various forms of distractions that can occur while driving, such as texting, using a phone, eating, and more.
3. Strategies for Prevention: Participants will learn effective strategies for preventing distracted driving, including setting up a safe driving environment and understanding the importance of focusing on the road.
4. Legal and Ethical Implications: Attendees will understand the legal consequences of distracted driving and the ethical responsibility they have to themselves and others on the road.
5. Engage in Safe Practices: Participants will commit to adopting safe driving habits and techniques to eliminate distractions.
6. Spread Awareness: Attendees will be encouraged to educate others about the dangers of distracted driving and promote safe driving practices within their communities.
7. Interactive Participation: Participants will engage in crowd activities and discussions to simulate scenarios and reinforce the understanding of the importance of focused driving.

You won't be young forever. Father time is undefeated. Education is the passport to the future! I was a freshman on a football scholarship. Who knew that football would end so soon? Thankfully, I took my education seriously and re-enrolled in college and graduated with a Computer Science degree. You never know when your body will fail you. Take your education seriously so you can always rely on your mind!

Learning objectives:
1. Understanding the Impermanence of Youth and Physical Ability: To help students appreciate that while youth and physical prowess are temporary, education provides a lasting foundation for future success.
2. Valuing Education as a Lifelong Asset: Encouraging students to see education not just as a means to a degree but as a vital tool for lifelong personal and professional development.
3. Highlighting the Role of Education in Overcoming Adversity: Demonstrating through personal anecdotes and wider societal examples how education can become a critical fallback and asset in times of unexpected life changes or physical limitations.
4. Promoting a Growth Mindset: Encouraging students to adopt a growth mindset that values continuous learning and resilience in the face of challenges.
5. Real-life Application of Education: Providing insights on how a Computer Science degree and other fields of study can be applied in various real-world scenarios, emphasizing adaptability and innovation.
6. Preparation for Uncertain Future: Stressing the importance of being prepared for unforeseen changes in one's career or physical abilities, and how education equips individuals to pivot and thrive in new environments.
7. Encouraging Proactive Learning: Motivating students to take charge of their education, seek opportunities for growth, and remain curious and engaged in learning throughout their lives.

Why cry over spilled milk? Let the past be the past and let’s focus on the future. My car crash was caused by someone else. I had to learn how to forgive, have faith, and move forward! You can too.

Learning objectives:
1. Understanding Forgiveness:
- Define and explore the concept of forgiveness.
- Identify the emotional and psychological impacts of holding grudges versus forgiving.
2. Personal Growth through Faith:
- Discuss the role of faith in overcoming life's challenges.
- Explore how faith can provide a framework for understanding and moving past difficult situations.
3. Resilience Building:
- Develop strategies for resilience and positive thinking in the face of adversity.
- Understand the relationship between resilience, faith, and forgiveness.
4. Moving Forward After Setbacks:
- Identify steps to move forward positively after experiencing setbacks.
- Learn how to set goals and plan for the future, leaving the past behind.
5. Empathy and Understanding:
- Cultivate empathy by understanding different perspectives in conflicts.
- Learn how to approach others' mistakes with empathy and understanding.
6. Application of Forgiveness in Daily Life:
- Discuss real-life scenarios where forgiveness can be applied.
- Encourage students to reflect on personal experiences and apply the principles of forgiveness and moving forward.
7. Healing and Mental Wellbeing:
- Discuss the healing process and how forgiveness can lead to improved mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Provide resources for further support and guidance on faith, forgiveness, and healing.