Finding Hope in Hopelessness | Peta Murchinson | TEDxSydney

We like to think that we are one in a million, but what happens when that’s exactly the news that you don’t want to hear? Peta’s extraordinary story and that of her family is one that is desperately sad, but it has forced her to connect with others in ways she could never have expected.
Peta Murchison is a mother dedicated to raising awareness for Batten Disease - a rare degenerative genetic disease that affects otherwise healthy children who can sing, dance and bounce. From a young age affected kids start to lose their ability to walk, talk, see and smile. There is no cure for children affected and it will eventually take their lives. Awareness and research into this rare disease is imperative to find a cure.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Ocean_Strategy]

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"

[@amyh3921]

I wrote that down ❤❤❤

[@mindymay3]

@@amyh3921 me too.

[@blysamari]

i wish i could change the beggining...

[@waltporter7707]

I'm a guy on a forklift working the overnight shift crying like a baby trying to pretend I have a cold. Bless you ma'am. You are courageous

[@carloalberto4132]

i hear you man i'm going to heart problems and i'm struggling to keep hope

[@barneyy6942]

I'll give you a hug. I know how you feel.

[@solvikendang4047]

Hey mate, may I say, thank you for showing that you are a real human and a real man. Real men shows emotions and cry. There is absolutely no shame in doing so. Good on you, for being courageous to be able to express your feelings in such a way. I personally an advocate for others to be as expressive as they can be. Keep being you mate!

[@inchrist1883]

Jesus loves you, Brother. We pray you find that everlasting hope in Him who can do the impossible for you and turn around your situation and any loss. Blessings in Jesus name Amen 🙏

[@monsieureki]

@@inchrist1883 Bless you sir

[@invernomuto00]

I can't deal with this now. I'm healthy, I can do whatever I want, yet I feel hopeless and depressed. And then I look at this and I don't even know...

[@judith8161]

My friend, I'm here for the same reason: Feeling hopeless for no good reason, and yet we both know there is something that's dragging us down, and we don't know what to do or how to get out of this.

[@Shan-ug9nq]

@@judith8161 same here.. I feel like I've given up even trying..

[@notagain3732]

How do you feel today ? If you dont mind sharing :) also i wish you all the best and you are not alone , im here for you

[@joey_yangyin]

@@notagain3732 you're so kind ❤️

[@bunsenn5064]

I no longer even put effort into trying to get out of the pit I’m in. I no longer try anymore.

[@MaximumMindPower]

*“When you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on.”*

[@enchantedByVocals13]

@@areyouavinalaughisheavinal5328 there is always someone to grab your rope and get you back on track💗😊 I hope you are doing well.

[@joey_yangyin]

this, interpreted by a suicidal mind, is the worst thing you could tell someone, but I know these weren't the original intentions

[@ElevatingHope]

"Living in the moment forces us to focus on what matters right now." Thanks for the inspiration.

[@ahujadeep]

Elevating Hope .

[@SharlenesJourney]

Facts my anxiety causes me to worry

Up o gd

Hey o V red so ddd roo

[@Pikasde]

From across the globe, people like you are enough of a reason to wake up every morning and do the best I can to make this world a better place. May every god bless you and your family and I will share the courage you've given me.

[@cindyhalpern3187]

Thank you. I grew up with two dying brothers. They had Muscular Dystrophy. But having them as my brothers changed me forever. I miss them, yet I remember them with a smile. Their memories remain a blessing to me, so many years later.

[@brunovincent1969]

This gives me hope for humanity. You are a wonderful woman and your daughter is very lucky to have a loving family like yours around.

[@casey01204]

Lay in bed, tears streaming down my face. I have a 5 year old little girl and this is any parents biggest fear. You and Hamish are so brave and courageous and that little girl is a beautiful hero....

[@Blanca7C]

This Ted Talk hit home for me. My little brother passed away from Batten Disease at the age of 7 and there were soo many similarities between her story and my family's story. With Batten Disease being so rare, it was refreshing to watch this and be able to completely relate to someone when it comes to this terrible disease

[@upstatenewyork]

Glad you found the video. It was upsetting to me but each person is different.

[@michellecave946]

God bless you x

[@joyh5630]

Reverence and sadness together is perhaps the truest emotion of life.

[@chgofirefighter]

@@michellecave946 where was god when these kids were suffering, dying or acquired these terrible diseases? How come god didn’t prevent, stop or cure? Because he simply don’t exist! No loving, genuine father or mother would want their child to suffer. We’re supposedly gods childrens, yet we’re the ones that suffer the most and when you call upon this hide and seek invisible man, none comes to your aid.

[@user-cl6uj5bn2f]

❤️

[@ritvajmadotra4630]

you are the strongest lady i have ever seen.you have inspired me.love from india.god bless u and mia n ur family

[@kevinnorton4908]

Beautiful courageous story, I’m a 43 year old guy sitting at his cubicle gently and ever so quietly crying and I have a meeting to go to in 5 minutes. I admire your strength and love.

[@SK-tk6bi]

Consult a psychologist, if you haven't already. CBT is working for me.

[@heatherr9599]

So tragically beautiful, & I give that Mom SO much credit for not only sharing her story but keeping it together while doing so!❤

[@aztradescrypto]

gosh, 30 seconds in and im crying my eyes out. this is every parents worse nightmare. I pray for her and her husband to find peace in their heart and solace

[@cherry.25]

This had me in tears throughout the whole video...May God give strength to your family to cope with the loss and may she rest in peace.

[@oskarneal2818]

I went to school with this girl. It was always nice to see her around playground rip mia

[@amberknisley1245]

As a fellow batten mom, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your words and insight. You articulated every feeling ive had for thebpast year and a half since my son's diagnosis.

[@marka112]

Cried through half of the talk. Thank you for shareing. This was very powerfull.

[@michellecave946]

So much love and blessings to you all xxx So moving and humbling. Thank you. I was looking for hope as I have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and have been trying to stay alive. I have become worn down and feel so alone. I am doing my best to live in the moment and be grateful for everything. Thank you for your encouragement. God bless you x

[@mellobabey1668]

How are you doing?❤️

[@shwetathakur94]

You will be fine.. my prayers are with you

[@kathleenkelly9888]

My prayers go out to you and all who are suffering right now. Never lose hope. Believe in miracles.

[@ediann]

I am so deeply sorry to hear of your daughter's struggles and your personal battles facing your daughter's future. This is so very heartbreaking and I wish she could be helped but it seems not likely but she's blessed that she has you as her loving and nurturing mother and a loving and caring family to support your beautiful Mia.

[@laithsleman903]

I rarely comment on KZbin video (probably this is the second time in my life)... I just couldn't ignore the strength and patience of this mother i don't think i will be ever able to understand how she was able to keep it all together while speaking, i am really sorry for your daughter from the comments i knew that she passed away, she was blessed with her great parents... 💙💙

[@jezua]

Thank you for the reminder that there's always love and hope to carry us through

[@acool318]

Peta is such a strong person, living with her fear everyday and still doing everything she can to bring hope. All the best, Peta! You are such an inspiration. May god bless you and your family. Lots of love.. :)

[@mohanaak3801]

I did cry twice in this 14 min talk, may god give you all the strength and courage to face the worst if you have to.

[@awrightawright]

So beautiful and full of grace. Thank you.

[@moniquevamado]

What an amazing family. Bless.

[@ABrokenStar]

made me cry...

[@sunderrchathli4810]

Rajiv Dixit

[@jojojojolene]

You are such a strong and completely compassionate human. You are my hero.

[@marieesler3004]

awfully sad. sending love. you helped so many in having the strength to tell your story.

[@zoecalverley9057]

This speech was so incredibly moving, thank you, I send love to your family

[@jude1515]

Prayers for you, Mia and all of your family.

[@joyclarke8942]

Many thanks for your beautiful message.

[@angiel2710]

What an amazing testimony. What beautiful love.

[@cesarsalad321]

12:37 her words right here hit me especially hard... Makes me realize how there is never a tommorow promised and how you should appreciate everyone and everything you have in the present. Bless these people and I hope they are able to keep finding hope

[@ZiggyLu-og3zp]

Wow incredible. She shared a lot of great nuggets of truth. I pray for immense comfort for this family.

[@greenessR]

U are so strong and admirable for handing your situation like you did. Most ppl would collapse and go into depression.

[@AshleySmith-to8vy]

Sending you hugs. Your an incredible woman. I admire your strength.

[@bibichloe]

Thank you, Peta, and you, the Murchinsons... Be brave, you are not alone! Please, keep telling people what you know and never give up. We are so many out there who have no idea about what to do when trouble strikes. And infinite thanks to TED, for making it possible to bring people together in the most miraculous and heart-felt ways!

[@cullbill]

You are wonderful! Thank you for opening my eyes. God bless...Billy

[@jeremyzimmerman5603]

Thank you, Peta. You humble, convict and inspire us.

[@aaronmichaels807]

Listening to her, I felt a sense of resignation, true resignation, coping and acceptance.

[@hennagal889]

Peta you have shown the best of human spirit to share in this way - I have watched this in the UK which means the colours from Mia's rainbow are shining all around the World and nourishing human spirits x

[@denisewozniak]

I'm so sorry. I'm glad you are receiving support.

[@roeyleon22]

Amazing family - you and your husband are so strong and inspirational - I wish you all the good in this world - hope that you will not know any sorrow in the the future - I`m sending you all my blessings

[@planbeeindia5201]

How lightly we take our tiny little moments of happiness.....I in particular am eminently guilty of always seeing the half-empty part of this glass of life. Then, someone like Peta comes along and jolts us into reality. My hats off to you and your husband, Ma'am.....GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I am Hindu, and we believe everything happens for a reason - and if it helps at all, we also believe that the soul never dies - it takes multiple births until it has balanced out all its Karmas, then attains Moksha (salvation).

[@boyka510]

Stay strong, all of you, and God bless Mia

[@seanlatter734]

Gees Peta, you knocked the wind out of me! Under the circumstances, I sincerely hope life gets better for you and family. Believe it when I say it, our global community is so much better off for having you and your family in it as your story helps others find that hope in hopelessness.

[@qossii]

God Bless You....Your story allows me to appreciate whatever good comes my way...no matter how small...thank you...

[@carloheulens]

thanks for this testimony: respect!

[@llaferriere1010]

You are both Angels.....God put you both here to help us all.....my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[@firstnamelastname9485]

Beautifly sad yet uplifting and hopeful. Outstanding!

[@kanitha1982]

Beautiful insights, and a better life lived than most of us, thank you for the inspiration.

[@softyat]

My heart feels so heavy thank you so much for sharing this with us

[@moewish]

God bless you and your daughter, you broke my heart but also made me so thankful to God for all I have.

[@davingidish6126]

Bless your family and Mia.

[@ClaudiaDiaz-wx8xv]

Oh my. You are amazing. I do not consider myself strong emotionally. You are such an inspiration. God bless you, your girl and your family. I’m just in ahhh at your resilience.

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Beautiful amazing courageous soul. Being hope full is the only chance of living when life plays magical wonders. Great talk. Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@karengarling8035]

God bless you and your little family.

[@jenniedevereaux2696]

Such a beautiful story what a wonderful loving family Mia has around her. Your inspirational. ♥️🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😘

[@pe9450]

No words dear Mom!! Love you!

[@ericlee4004]

This really hurt my heart my prayers go out for you bless you

[@duallinguallady-aishaahmed1812]

* I am so sorry, I feel the hardest thing is watching your child being sick. You are a brave lady. Your child is in a better place where there’s no suffering for her anymore. I wish you and your family the best.

[@sonalmisra1419]

love from India, courageous mom

[@AmyStruloeff]

God bless her.. the power of joy love and hope give her a sense of hope.. thank you so much for sharing ma'am. Much love and respect.

[@johncude]

Bravo...thank you for sharing your deeply personal experience.

[@melissazwieg2988]

Your love resonates like the mountains🌄🌅🌹

[@PsoPstrong]

All I can do is cry. Mia is beautiful and pure. It's not fair. I'm angry that it's not fair that I cannot get out of my own health struggles right now but I'm not dying, and it's not fair that here is Mia, just a beautiful, innocent little girl who is dying, and will soon. And I am so angry at my self-pity. Maybe it's why people choose to share such painful events in their life with all of us, that like her mummy said, that Mia's life will matter and become and remain an inspiration, to jolt us out of our coma and live your best life for angels like Mia, but most importantly for yourself. Still bawling. I feel a lot of love for Mia and her family, and feel extremely blessed to be allowed to share in her story. ❤️😭💔

[@Dreamsareareality]

You brave and beautiful woman. God bless Mia and you and the family.

[@claudettee.6310]

This was so powerful and here i am feeling that life is finish because of the sadness am feeling right now. Listening to her just makes me realise that people are going throught and handling difficult situations all over the world. At the end, only God gives us the strength needed.

[@MrSreesandeep]

Thanks for the Ray of hope

[@jessestheories7586]

This is so human.

[@mswardmusic]

Absolutely beautiful message ❤

[@stephandebernardi3854]

Beautiful. Gracias

[@rishiraj4500]

That made me feeling strong enough to do ...!!!god bless u dear

[@davewright117]

Such an amazing woman

[@khubaibabbasi5704]

Such a great woman full of hope and here I am worried about career

[@TheTuiqqu]

Cried. God Bless you and yours. Courageous Mia. Courageous all of u. ♡♡♡♡♡

[@MayankT]

love and respect from Canada

[@candykandy]

If you aren’t crying, you have no soul 😭BEAUTIFUL

[@katelynnsharpe2111]

i'm praying for her

[@ujjuhajira9776]

Lost all my hope but somewhere its still there

[@jannn7454]

Love to you ❤️ there are many many humans full of kindness. I've learned that myself during a time of disability. I think it takes hardship to bring out the best in us ❤️🌺

[@aadilsumermomin3396]

It made me cry. More love and power from India to you.

[@eramaan7959]

incredible.. I am speechless.

[@sepuliau]

Powerful massage!

[@navelikhaitan8627]

This was just. No words. :'( Just that you are so strong.

[@sumanverma-oy8sr]

Thanks

[@adriennevanstaden9460]

God Bless your family....thank you for sharing.....you have beautiful children....😍 😍 😍 😍 😍

[@dhirajctx]

Last sentence took me ... Excellent talk

[@mustabshiratanveer9750]

God bless her

[@Bourquin27]

nothing but love ❤

[@monkeymanpc]

Man wtf I’m a grown man literally tearing up right now

[@asurapain6822]

Loss.. short word for such a devastating tide of chaos rushing through one's life.. washing away every plank of this fragile existence we are condemned to walk through. The suffocating shrinking of life. Like a burning yellow paper losing itself with every second to an unimaginable pain.

[@tishamanda36]

How horrible I cant even imagine how devastating. I would wonder everyday why my child with the chances so slim.

[@fukyu3162]

Ggbnm,mmlkl Fsaaaasssdcv

[@DONALD1951]

Think about this when you have a small insignificant “ fixable” problem. I lost my only son and I have no patience for people who complain about petty problems. And she was correct when saying Mia won’t be here” physically.” She will be with her in spirit form in the afterlife. An angel in heaven.

[@sivasubramaniam7238]

god bless Mia

[@Bonbon12345ify]

Praying for Mia ❤️

[@thefunnysillyguy9835]

I’ve never cried so much

[@lite1776]

im bawling my eyes out.

[@anthonystars8933]

A STORY OF HOPE A long time ago, there was an Inuit family high up in the Arctic. It was a terrible year for hunting, and for months the weather was extremely cold. There were very few animals to hunt in the area, and so the family decided they would have to travel south in search of better hunting grounds. When they started their journey south, the walk became long and hard, and they had very little food to eat. Their grandmother was very old and slowing them down. It was a tradition in those days to leave the old folks behind in hopes that the rest of the family might survive. So they said their goodbyes and left her standing alone on the ice. Later that day, a polar bear saw her and started to hunt her down, but she was too slow to escape. As the polar bear got close to her, she took off her big fur mitt and put it on the end of her narwhal walking stick. She then stood there very still and quiet, making no sound or movement. As the polar bear got within feet of her, it opened its mouth to bite her, and at that very moment, she shoved the mitten down the polar bear’s throat choking him. It wasn’t able to breathe, and it died. She walked all day and through the night and was able to catch up with her family, and she told them what had happened. They went back to the polar bear, and it gave them enough food to survive until the spring. So you see, there is always hope, even in the very last moments of certain death, there is always a chance things can get better. There is always hope because there is always God. ... There is a book written by Tony Tymstra titled: What is possible? What is impossible? And What is probable? Proof that God exits. Here is a small chapter you might find interesting....the book is on amazon