Who You Are Makes A Difference: Helice Bridges at TEDxEncinitas

Helice "Sparky" Bridges. In 1979, after years of being put down, intimidated and controlled by her husband, Helice became severely depressed and suicidal. On the day she chose to end her life, Helice heard a loving voice inside whisper you cannot die, you're here to make a difference. This voice gave her the courage to divorce her husband, quit her very successful career and become volunteer co-chair for the San Diego Hunger Project. In 1980, after speaking to over 50,000 people about ending world hunger, she discovered another type of hunger; people literally starving to be appreciated, respected and loved. To solve this problem, Sparky created the "Who I Am Makes A Difference"® Blue Ribbon Acknowledgment Ceremony. This message has now impacted over 35 million people worldwide, eradicating bullying, preventing teen suicide and helping to make dreams come true in a minute or less.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)